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Dalton State celebrates first graduates of new and innovative para-to-teacher pathway program

by Meagan Standridge

Dalton, GA (05/22/2025) — Dalton State's first cohort of graduates in the Para-to-Teacher Pathway Program crossed the stage on May 14 with full-time teaching positions in hand. Launched in 2023, the innovative education program offers flexible evening and summer courses to support current paraprofessionals balancing employment while pursuing a bachelor's degree in education.

"This first cohort shows us the power of this program," Sharon Hixon, dean of the School of Education at Dalton State, said. "They brought a wealth of life and professional experience, and we tailored our instruction to meet their needs. We could not be prouder of their hard work and dedication to the teaching profession."

The inaugural cohort includes Katie Dowis, Alba Gomez, Zoe Grow, Yuli Peinado, Amber Ridley, and Samuel Fraire.

Grow, who has worked in the education field for eight years, shared how completing the program paved the way to more career opportunities.

"When I first became a paraprofessional, I had a hard time finding a position; however, with this degree I have found that I am much more marketable. I actually had four-or-five schools reach out to me for an interview," Grow said.

The Para-to-Teacher Pathway Program was created in partnership with the Dalton and Whitfield County School systems to address the unique challenges paraprofessionals face in pursuing traditional education degrees. Under the agreement, the paraprofessional's hiring school system and Dalton State sign a memorandum of understanding that students can retain their paraprofessional positions during the day, get field hours in the required grades and enroll in evening, summer and/or weekend courses.

Rob Kittle, chief information officer for Whitfield County Schools, reinforced the impact the partnership has on the school systems and community.

"These individuals have shown exceptional dedication-not only to their own growth, but to the students and schools they served," Kittle said. "This program is a testament to how investing in our people directly benefits our classrooms."

The partnership positively impacted the students' personal and professional lives as well.

"Thanks to this agreement, I was able to complete student teaching outside my regular classroom without sacrificing my job," Dowis said. "With this program we have received the ability to student teach in another grade. These student teaching hours and late evening fellowship with my classmates, gave me a well-rounded perspective on both the profession and the resilience of those pursuing this path."

The cohort model, faculty and school administrators provided additional support for the students, many of whom were nontraditional students juggling family commitments, employment and their academic studies.

"The support from my professors at Dalton State College and the administration at my school made the entire experience unforgettable. They went above and beyond to ensure we had the resources and encouragement we needed to succeed," Peinado said. "However, what truly made the opportunity special were the friendships that grew along the way. These bonds kept us motivated and grounded, and they remind me that education is not just about learning from books, but also about the people you meet and the experiences you share."

The six graduates were among nearly 500 students who received diplomas during Dalton State's spring commencement exercises, stepping into the workforce equipped with the skills and preparation to be the next leaders in their career fields.

To learn more about the Dalton State School of Education, visit www.daltonstate.edu.

Media Attachments

Dalton State’s first cohort of graduates in the Para-to-Teacher Pathway Program crossed the stage on May 14 with full-time teaching positions in hand. The inaugural cohort, pictured from left, includes Zoe Grow, Amber Ridley, Yuli Peinado, Alba Gomez, Katie Dowis, and Samuel Fraire.

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