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School Districts Local 320 represents members in 22 School Districts throughout the state of Minnesota in the following classifications:
Teamsters Local 320 Collaborates To Win $3.3 Million Grant Teamsters Local 320 recently joined forces with the St. Paul Federation of Teachers, the St. Paul School District and St. Thomas University to win a federal grant for our St. Paul ISD Paraprofessional members. Local 320 represents about 700 teaching assistants and the Federation represents about 400 education assistants (all of whom are “paraprofessionals” or “paras”). Over the next three years, the grant will be giving a 100 of those paras the opportunity to get further educated at St. Thomas University. The collaboration between the parties is unique. Usually the Unions and Employer would be sitting across the table from one another, but for this project, they sat along side each other with the presence of a prestigious college. The goal was to write and win a large grant to provide paras the opportunity to earn a graduate degree and/or licensure in either the English Language Learner program or the Special Education program. The program needed to be designed carefully to attract and support non-traditional candidates who need to work full-time while successfully completing the courses. After many hours of hard work and determination and submittal of an extensive project plan, the parties were informed they had indeed won the maximum amount for this grant — $3.3 million dollars! Aptly named, the “Preparing and Enhancing Teacher’s Project” will be starting already this February 2006. The participants will be chosen from a group of paras that already have a bachelor’s degree in education. They will complete a rigorous fellowship program that includes a full waiver of academic fees and provides course books, supporting materials and a laptop computer. The Project calls for extended support of the paras during their courses and as they enter the teaching force. Paras who successfully complete the program and obtain licensure will be employed by the St. Paul School District in their license area, if at all feasible. This is an exciting time for many paras who are anxious for this incredible opportunity. It is also exciting for the Teamsters, the Federation, St. Paul Schools, and St. Thomas University, all of whom put the work into securing this wonderful grant for our members. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION SO THAT THE PARAS HAVE BEEN AWARDED THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!! Downloads Additional Articles Minnesota Paraprofessional Requirements for Meeting No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
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