Job Description

JobID: 13018

Position Type:

Opportunities for Current ESP/ESP Teacher Pathway Program

Date Posted:

4/11/2025

Location:

To Be Assigned

Closing Date:

01/02/2026

ESP Teacher Pathway Program

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT ESP STAFF

This is a career development opportunity for ESP staff that have earned an associate's degree (AA or AAT) who would like to pursue a bachelor's degree for dual licensure in elementary education and special education while continuing to work in their current position.

Frostburg State University REACH Grant Non-Traditional Track

WCPS is currently accepting applications from current ESP staff to enroll in the Frostburg State University REACH program to pursue dual teacher licensure in elementary education and special education.

Program Summary

The Rural Educators for Appalachian Children (REACH) Program aims to address issues across the teacher career continuum, including access, recruitment, preparation, support, induction, retention, and advancement. The program will help realize multi-state priorities in preparing and retaining diverse, highly effective teachers in critical shortage areas, and respond to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, a comprehensive piece of legislation designed to elevate Maryland's education system to internationally benchmarked standards.

The Site-Based (Outreach) Track offers a flexible and part-time pathway for WCPS employees to pursue the dual licensure degree. Courses will be offered on-site at WCPS in the evenings and summer during non-work hours.

Upon successful completion, each teacher candidate will receive a Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education. The program will prepare candidates for licensure in both elementary education for grades 1-6 and special education for grades 1-8.

Candidate Responsibilities:

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Completion of required courses (93 credits) with a grade of C or better (or P) for each class.

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Submission of a Teacher Performance Assessment that meets institutional standards.

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Successful completion of an exit interview that meets institutional standards.

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Completion of PRAXIS II content knowledge and pedagogy assessments required by the Maryland State Department of Education.

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Successful completion of Internship field work and seminar.

Additional WCPS Eligibility Requirements

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Must be a current WCPS Educational Support Personnel staff member

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Must be in good standing (no letters of discipline or performance improvement plans within the previous 12 months of employment)

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Must have a satisfactory supervisor evaluation

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Must be committed to continuing to work in their current WCPS role while completing all bachelor's degree requirements

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Must be willing to attend evening, weekend, and summer classes as required by Frostburg State University

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Must be committed to teaching for WCPS for three years upon successful completion of the program

WCPS Selection Process

The initial REACH cohort for Washington County Public Schools will be restricted to 8 participants. To determine the 8 candidates, the WCPS Division of Curriculum and Instruction and Human Resources will use the following factors:

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Letter of interest detailing why the candidate is interested in this opportunity

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Three professional references including one from current administrator/supervisor

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Screening interview with C&I and HR administrators

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Related experiences to education or instruction (coaching, community involvement, etc.)

Term

The term of this program is from June 2025 to May 2027. Participants in the program will not be required to take a leave of absence during their 30-day Intern I placement in the Fall of 2026 or during their 70-day Intern II placement in the Spring of 2027 and will continue to earn their current salary and benefits.