College of Education & Human Services
Elementary (Grades K-6)
Program Overview
The Elementary Para to Professional Education Licensure (PEL) is designed for paraprofessionals employed in grades K-6 to earn Illinois licensure in elementary education. Whether you are working as a classroom aide or a one-to-one paraprofessional, you can remain employed while studying to earn your teaching credential! All courses are offered online either synchronously or asynchronously, making it possible to work and take college courses towards a degree without travelling to a 星空无限传媒app campus. You will also have the opportunity to build a collaborative community with your fellow classmates, which will assist you throughout your teaching career.
Eligibility
- Verifiable employment in elementary grades K-6 in a position that directly supports children
- Ability and willingness to attend asynchronous and synchronous courses
- Transfer GPA of a 2.0 or above or high school diploma/ high school equivalency for those that are new to higher education
Field Experience
Field Experience is a variety of early and ongoing field-based opportunities prior to Student Teaching in which candidates may observe, assist, tutor, instruct and/or conduct research. As part of the Para to PEL program, students will not need to enroll in and pay for field experience courses; rather, they will complete a log of experiences in lieu of these courses.
Block Experience
Block Field Experience is the final such experience prior to Student Teaching. As such, it includes requirements to complete a minimum of hours and teach lessons in an appropriate grade level/discipline area classroom per the license being pursued in addition to observing, assisting, tutoring, and/or conducting research.
Student Teaching Experience
Student Teaching is a form of internship required for approval of educator preparation programs calling for close and competent supervision. It entails preparation for full responsibility in an instructional setting. In the course of the experience, the candidate shall demonstrate proficiency of skills and techniques including, but not limited to, planning, organization, evaluation, parent relations, and competence in subject matter areas. The experience is carried out under supervision by University and School District personnel.
| Field Experience | Block Field Experience | Student Teaching |
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Paraprofessional Teacher Education Students must work with the professor to meet the requirements of the courses. |
Paraprofessional Teacher Education Students must be in a K-6th grade general education classroom for a minimum of 100 hours. They must teach a minimum of 16 lessons: 4 in each of the core content areas 鈥� Literacy, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. They must work with the professor to meet all requirements of the course. |
All Student Teachers must serve in the lead teacher role for a minimum of 34 days over the course of the 16-week Student Teaching period of time. Student Teachers must be in a K-6th grade general education classroom for Student Teaching. They must also complete all Student Teaching requirements. |
Successful Completion of Content Exam
By State law all teacher education candidates must pass the applicable content/subject matter exam(s) prior to being licensed. Teacher education candidates will be cleared to student teach after taking (attempting) the exam(s) with the deadline of March 1 (fall student teaching) or October 1 (spring student teaching).
星空无限传媒app Special Education Para to PEL Initial Steps
- Please complete the Google Form linked below to give us preliminary information that will help us get things moving. Please complete this immediately-
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Please complete your undergraduate transfer application linked below. You will choose Macomb campus. You will not be required to come to campus to participate in classes, but choose the appropriate campus and
DO NOT CHOOSE ONLINE.
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听 - Please immediately send all official transcripts that you have from any institution (including any from 星空无限传媒app) to the following email: admissions@wiu.edu or they can be mailed to: Undergraduate Admissions, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455.
Transcript Notes: This should be done as soon as possible. The schools you have attended will have that information on their website. If you can鈥檛 find the right spot, try putting 鈥測our former school name + transcripts鈥� into the Google search bar.
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Complete your FAFSA. You will want to
have your social security number
available. It will ask you if you want to login to your IRS account to have your tax information shared with FAFSA. It is much easier if you say yes to that option.
The 星空无限传媒app school code for 星空无限传媒app is 001780.
听 - Have your supervisor or administrator complete this employment verification form:
Financial Assistance Opportunities
There are a variety of funding options to consider for your pathways. Please see below for some of the options that all students should consider applying for if it is a match to their needs. You may also meet with the 星空无限传媒app financial aid advisors to assist you in finding additional scholarships.
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For specific questions regarding admissions, please use the following link to determine who to contact in the Admissions Office.
/student_success/undergraduate_admissions/transfer/contactUs.php 听
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ELED and SPED Para to PEL Coordinator
Dr. Jennifer McKenzie, Ph.D.
Office: Horrabin Hall 115F, Macomb Campus
Email:听 JM-Mckenzie@wiu.edu
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