Department of Ed. Director visits WACO Elementary

CRAWFORDSVILLE — WACO Superintendent Ken Crawford accompanied Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow for a visit to WACO Elementary last week.

Snow met with third grade teachers and reading specialists that implement evidence-based literacy instruction and interventions.

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According to a post to the Iowa DOE Facebook page, Snow “ … saw young minds engaged in reading lessons and heard students share what they’ve learned,” during her visit.

During her time at WACO Elementary, Snow also visited Tammy Davis, an associate at the school, who is working toward her teaching degree through the Teacher Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship program.

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the launch of this program in January of last year and it began in the 2022-2023 school year.

According to a news release from that time, the grant program provides opportunities for high school students to earn paraeducator certificates and associate degrees.

It also offers paraeducators like Davis the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree all while learning and working in the classroom.

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According to the Iowa DOE, Davis has worked for over 20 years as an associate in special education and “is thankful for the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a special-education teacher through TPRA. She anticipates that she will begin her student teaching next year!”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com