Law aids teacher training to help relieve shortages
by Bernie Scheffler, ne news editor

    Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD is helping three of its teacher aides take advantage of a relatively new Texas law to pursue their teacher certification.

   Lisa Norrod, who attends both TCC and UTA, is one of the aides pursuing her certification on the program.

   The law says that if an aide wants to go back to school to become a certified teacher, he or she can apply for a grant to be exempt from tuition and fees.

   The bill was passed in response to continuing concerns over Texas’ current shortage of qualified teachers.

   The shortage is especially noticeable in critical needs areas, such as special education and bilingual programs.

   HEB ISD responded by continuing to pay the salaries of three of its aides while they left and returned to school full time to pursue their certification.

   After teacher aides become certified, they must teach in the HEB school district for at least four years.

   Norrod has been a full-time aide in a special education classroom at North Euless Elementary School for six years.

   She says she is thankful for the program.

   “It’s a neat opportunity. A lot of people don’t know that they might have the opportunity to be exempt from tuition,” the future teacher said.

   When she completes her certification, Norrod plans to return to a special education classroom to teach.

   “Since the district is allowing me to attend school full time, I’ll be able to return and teach much sooner than if I could only take one or two classes at a time,” she said.

   Anyone interested in tuition exemption and other programs can contact the Texas Education Agency at 512-463-9734.

   Information is also available from the campus financial aid offices: NE Campus, 817-515-6697; NW Campus, 817-515-7711; South Campus, 817-515-4564, or SE Campus, 817-515-3040.