15 South Dakota paraprofessionals just received their teaching degrees

Substitute teacher Laurie Hansen Neisen ran students through a math lesson at Creekside Elementary School in Spearfish in fall 2021. Photo by SDNW.

Madison, SD (KELO.com) — Another group of new teachers just received their diplomas, thanks to the South Dakota Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway. The program allows paraprofessionals to earn their teaching degrees while still working in their local school system. 15 students graduated from Dakota State University Saturday. Most of the program’s 70 graduates have signed contracts to teach in their sponsoring accredited school district.