A special pinning ceremony at Wichita State University on May 14 at 10 a.m. in the Beggs Ballroom at the Rhatigan Student Center recognized 126 Teacher Apprentice Program^TM (TAP) graduates, 66 of whom were able to attend the celebration.

The TAP program allows paraeducators to become a teacher of record in a shortened timeframe through Wichita State University. Each student recently completed the program and was honored for achieving this final milestone on their pathway to becoming professional educators.

This pinning ceremony, a tradition that began with the first graduating class in Spring 2019, is a deeply meaningful event. To include all graduates, there is a ceremony at the end of each the fall and spring semesters. At the ceremonies, each student receives a starfish pin inspired by the Starfish Story, a reminder of the powerful difference a teacher can make in each student's life. Graduates who attend the ceremony also receive a special TAP stole, worn during WSU's commencement ceremony, generously sponsored by Credit Union of America (CUA). Bradley S.E. Dyer, Jr. is the Sr. Business Development Officer at the Wichita-based Credit Union of America. He has been a participant in these ceremonies for the past several semesters. 

"At Credit Union of America, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve is at the core of everything we do. Nowhere is this commitment more evident than in our support of Wichita State University's fastest-growing program - the Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP). Housed within the College of Applied Studies, TAP is not only transforming the lives of future educators but also uplifting their families and the communities they serve.

CUA is proud to stand alongside the College of Applied Studies in this important work. Through scholarships, funding support for Praxis exams, and classroom essentials provided in partnership with Project Teacher, we're investing in the future of education in Kansas. Every TAP graduate we support is a testament to the power of opportunity and the potential for positive change.

To all the TAP graduates: congratulations! Your journey from paraeducator to full-time teacher is a remarkable achievement. Students across the state will benefit from your dedication and passion - and Credit Union of America is honored to have played a small part in your success," Dyer said.

This celebration holds particular significance for TAP students:

This pinning ceremony is planned by Jill Wood, the Program Coordinator. At the ceremony, students finally meet their success coaches, instructors, and classmates - people they have built strong relationships with through the years of online learning. They are required to meet with their success coach four times per semester, so they get to know their coach and fellow members of the group pretty well. Many of the courses require periodic meetings as well, so they get to know many different instructors and students during their time in the program. "It is so special to see students hugging their success coaches and thanking them for all they have done for them to help them grow as teachers and professionals," Wood said.

Janete Hernandez, a first-gen student who is in a long-term sub position in Liberal attended the pinning ceremony. A majority - 71% - are first-generation college graduates. For them and their families, this is a life-changing moment. Many bring their children to the celebration to model what it means to work hard towards a dream and see that dream become a reality. TAP students have been paraprofessionals who make an average of $15/hr. This is an annual income of only around $11,000. By getting their degree and a teaching license, their average starting salary will be around $40,000, which has a tremendous impact on their earning potential for the rest of their career. "The Teacher Apprentice Program provided me with the support, tools, and coaching I needed to grow into the educator I am today. I'm proud to have completed this journey and excited to continue making a difference in the classroom," Hernandez said. 

"The impact on school districts across the state of Kansas is immeasurable. Some districts, especially those in rural Kansas, would not be able to fill vacancies if not for the Teacher Apprentice Program. As of Fall 2024, there are almost 2,000 teaching vacancies in the state of Kansas (source: KSDE), and TAP has helped to fill almost 200 of those this past school year," Wood said.

 

For more information about TAP, visit the TAP website.