The Paraeducator Board is excited to announce the formation of this Paraeducator Fundamental Course of Study (FCS) Workgroup.
Background
Earlier this year, the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1277 to improve upon the existing Paraeducator FCS program. This bill seeks to ensure that all Washington paraeducators receive high-quality training to prepare them to enter the classroom ready to serve students.
Purpose
The Paraeducator Board will be working diligently to 1) update rules (WAC) related to the implementation of the FCS and 2) develop guidance for districts to support the provision of the FCS.
To facilitate this work, the Board has decided to bring together a diverse group of paraeducators to provide feedback and serve as thought leaders in this work. Through this workgroup, the Board will receive invaluable input from paraeducators and district administration to guide this critical policy work.
Specfic topic for each meeting can be found here:
| Meeting | Date | Pre-Meeting Resources | Post-Meeting Resources |
| Orientation | September 26, 2024 | Orientation recording | |
| 1- Content | October 24, 2024 | Overview of ESHB 1277 Document | |
| 2- Consistency | November 21, 2024 | ||
| 3- Implementation | December 12, 2024 | ||
| 4- Exemptions | Janurary 9, 2025 |
Workgroup results and recommendations will be presented to the Paraeducator Board at the January 2025 Board Meeting.
Workgroup Membership
| Name | Role | Region (by ESD) |
| Freedom Gassoway | Behavior Tech with Special Education Elementary | 189 |
| Christopher Miller | Director of Human Resources | 105 |
| Mario Mejia | Program Paraeducator | 113 |
| Dawn Faughender | Behavior Intervention Technician High School | 101 |
| Kim Van Atta | Instructional Coach (responsible for implementation of Paraeducator Certificate Program) | 121 |
| Piper Burrs | Lifeskills Paraeducator | 123 |
| Andrew Hickman | Chief Executive of Content Development – Partner with PESB | |
| Dawna Hansen-Murray | Library Technician – Mentor to Paraeducators | 113 |
| Cheryl Pirozok | Paraeducator special ed School to life 17-22 | 101 |
| Sheryl Cassella | Special Education Paraeducator | 171 |
| Teresa Jackson | Teaching and Learning TOSA | 189 |
| Bay Knight | Special Education Program Paraeducator | 114 |
| Liisa Preslan | Paraeducator training thought partner | |
| Sandy Gessner-Crabtree | Assistant Superintendent of T&L Olympic ESD 114 | 114 |
| Shannon Spurgeon | Elementary Special Education Paraeducator | 121 |
| Janice Kennish | Behavior Paraducator for 22 years, Health Room Para for 3 years. Paraeducator Association President 15 years | 113 |
| Maria de la Luz Juarez Ventura | Bilingual Para-Professional for 7 years with Kinder-5th grade | 105 |
| Andrea Quitevis | Resource Instructional Paraeducator | 114 |
| Lori Jass | Director, ESD-U (offering FCS courses) | 112 |
| Nigel P. Farr | Classroom Paraeducator | 121 |
| Noelle Chun | Program Manager, Professional Learning – Lake Washington | 121 |
| Otis Golden | Recourse Special Education Para/SeattleEA Paraprofessional President | 121 |
| Corrinne Miles | Paraeducator SPED Primary Resource Room Behavior | 189 |
| Michael Nerland | Assistant Superintendent Teaching and Learning, ESD 112 | 112 |
| Candice McGregor | District Administrator for Para Prof Learning | 121 |
| Pamella (Pam) Johnson |
Paraeducator (Academic & Behavioral Intervention Specialist) *Paraeducator Board Chair |
113 |
| Erin Kennedy | Special Education 1:1 Paraeducator | 112 |
| Yelonda Wilke | Special Education Paraeducator | 101 |
| Barb Schmitten | Puyallup School District HR Staffing Manager | 121 |
Questions
Questions about the work group? Contact:
- Dr. K.O. Wilson, Program Manager-Paraeducator Workforce Development, ko.wilson@k12.wa.us
- Anna Corinne Huffman, Legislative and Policy Liaison, annacorinne.huffman@k12.wa.us
