LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — This school year, the Clark County School District is welcoming hundreds of new teachers — among them, is Vernetta McGregor.
"It's been such a long journey and I'm just so thrilled to be here right now. My own classroom opening up, my own set of kids, it's just so wonderful," McGregor said.
Although she is new to the official title of teacher, she's been molding the lives of kids in the valley for years. She spent years working in early childhood education and most recently worked as support staff at CCSD.
"People said, 'You need to get out of this position. You need to be a teacher.' My principal at my first school was like, 'You need to be a teacher, whatever you got to do, however, I got to support you, I want you to be a teacher.' And from then on, I kept trying to get there," McGregor said.
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To realize this dream, she went back to school, completing her bachelor's degree in just one year through UNLV's Paraprofessional Pathways Project. The program helps fast-track the transition to teaching, to help with the rampant turnover we're seeing in schools.
"A lot of teachers are like 'Why do you want to do this? We're trying to get out. You're trying to come in.' Because they need us, across all cultures, across all boards, they really need us," she said.
At the district's kickoff event for new teachers, CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara encouraged more support staff to take the leap, as McGregor did.
"They know our kids, now you have your next step in your education. That's where I challenge everybody in our support staff. There are opportunities for you to grow within CCSD. You don't have to leave. What I say, is give us a shot, try it. I think being in the classroom with kids, it's like nothing else," Dr. Jara said.
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McGregor echoes that sentiment, as she prepares for her first year as a junior high special education teacher.
"Take your step forward, step out on faith, and get it done," McGregor said.
According to UNLV's website, there is no active application process for the Paraprofessional Pathways Project at this time. You can fill out this form to be notified when active recruitment for the next PPP cohort begins.
According to UNLV's website, since its inception in 2020, the PPP has admitted and supported more than 160 students on their journeys to becoming licensed, full-time teachers in Southern Nevada.
