Cassie Reed, an instructional assistant at Pine View Elementary in Land O Lakes, Florida, is nearing completion of her journey to become a teacher. After years of working with special needs students and receiving encouragement from her former principal, she enrolled in Pasco County Schools Teach Pasco Paid Pathway program. This initiative provides financial assistance to non-instructional employees pursuing education degrees while allowing them to retain their current salary and benefits during their final teaching internship. Reed emphasized that without this support, she would not have been able to afford taking a leave of pay for her student teaching period. The program is open to various district employees including bus drivers and cafeteria workers who meet specific eligibility requirements. More than 100 employees are currently participating in the initiative with over 30 having already transitioned into teaching roles.
Key Points:
- The Teach Pasco Paid Pathway program provides financial assistance to eligible non-instructional employees pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education.
- Employees must work in a non-instructional position with the district for at least one consecutive year to qualify for the program.
- The district can reimburse up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year for eligible education courses and documented prerequisites.
