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Brenda Olsen, Judy Emerson
and Louann Pechacek spearheaded an effort that has brought quality
training for educational support staff to their community of Amery.
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Like many of their colleagues, Amery’s Brenda Olson,
Judy Emerson and Louann Pechacek have a thirst for knowledge that isn’t
easily quenched.
But by working with the WEA Professional Development
Academy (PDA) and the Amery School District, these ambitious paraeducators
found a convenient way to satisfy that thirst not only for themselves
but for many educational support staff in Amery and surrounding districts.
Emerson and Pechacek spearheaded an effort that has
brought quality training programs for Educational Support Profession-als
(ESP) to their rural community in northwest Wiscon-sin. Now paraeducators
interested in earning an ESP Certificate – or just in keeping up
with the latest in their profession – can do so without having to
drive dozens of miles for classes. The classes come to them.
“I have to tell you, I am very proud of that group,”
said Amery School District Special Education Director Cheryl Wesle. “They
are very enthusiastic people.”
“These special people have found a way to make
it convenient for themselves and other support staff to take classes on
an ongoing basis to help them continuously become better at what they
do,” said PDA Director Debra Berndt. “They serve as a model
for others in similar situations throughout the state. They have proven
that geography is no barrier for support staff to learn, grow and advance
in their professions.”
The Amery training program is an offshoot of Emerson
and Pechacek’s ongoing interest in professional development. As a
result of their initiative, the Amery School District created a committee
of paraeducators to address in-service needs. Last year, Emerson, Pechacek
and Wesle served on it.
Because of Emerson and Pechacek’s past involvement
in the WEA Professional Development Academy’s ESP Certificate program,
the committee pursued development of local courses that would help interested
support staff meet the requirements of the certificate program.
“We all agreed that the PDA program was a good
model on which to base our trainings and we would work with that system,”
Wesle said.
Working with Berndt, the committee developed courses
that fit into the PDA’s program. In some cases, instructors were
brought into the community from institutions such as the Wisconsin Indianhead
Technical College, area Cooperative Educational Service Agencies, or WEAC,
and in some cases Amery’s own staff would conduct approved courses.
Most of Amery’s paraeducators have participated,
as have some from neighboring communities. So far, eight have completed
the Level I certification and four have completed Level II certification
through the PDA.
Emerson said even those who have completed Level II
“continue to enjoy participating in local class offerings and attend
any sessions offered.”
“They look forward to more challenges and hope
WEAC will expand its certification and training program requirements,”
she said.
“The classes were fun and the program has brought
those of us interested in learning more information closer together,”
Pechacek said.
Most importantly, Emerson, Olson, Pechacek and Wesle
agreed that the ultimate goal is to improve the skills that help educators
help children succeed.
“Being effective in working with special education
children is important,” Emerson said. “Each child has special
needs physically, medically and emotionally. The opportunity to take classes
prepares us to meet the needs of interacting with our students in a positive
way.”
“It makes us more prepared to help the teacher
in the classroom,” Pechacek said. “There are always new things
happening in the area of education. It is important to keep up in these
new areas.”
Wesle praised the commitment of the Amery paraeducators and the role WEAC
has played in offering a certificate program through the PDA.
“As the director, I have seen staff take ownership
of this important training program,” Wesle said.
“Paraeducators are greatly valued in this district. This program has definitely benefited the district, the paraeducators and the children of this community.”
Posted February 12, 2002