Building Teacher Pipelines From Within: How Doane University and BloomBoard Are Expanding On-the-Job Degree Pathways for Educators

Across the country, school districts are facing a familiar challenge: finding and retaining qualified educators.

While recruitment remains important, many districts are realizing that some of their strongest future teachers are already working in their schools today—as paraprofessionals, instructional aides, and classroom support staff. The challenge isn't finding talented people. It's creating accessible pathways that allow them to advance their careers without stepping away from the students and communities they serve.

That's why Doane University and BloomBoard have partnered to launch a new suite of job-embedded degree and credential programs designed specifically for working educators.

Together, the organizations are creating pathways that help paraprofessionals become licensed special education teachers, support newer paraprofessionals in developing critical classroom skills, and prepare current teachers to effectively integrate artificial intelligence into teaching and learning.

Why Job-Embedded Learning Matters

Traditional educator preparation programs often require candidates to choose between earning a degree and maintaining their current employment. For many working adults, that simply isn't realistic.

Job-embedded programs remove that barrier by allowing educators to learn while continuing to work in schools. Participants immediately apply what they learn in real classrooms, making the experience both practical and relevant.

As Dr. Tim Frey, Dean of the College of Education at Doane University, explains:

"School districts don't have a talent problem—they have an access problem. There are incredible future educators already working in schools who just need a clear, supported and funded pathway forward."

The Doane-BloomBoard partnership was designed with this reality in mind.

Three Pathways Designed for Today's Schools

Bachelor of Arts in Special Education

For paraprofessionals and school staff who aspire to become licensed teachers, Doane University's Bachelor of Arts in Special Education offers a fully job-embedded route to certification.

Participants continue working in their schools while completing degree requirements, gaining practical experience throughout the program. Upon graduation, candidates are eligible for full teacher licensure, helping districts fill high-need special education positions with educators who already understand their communities and students.

Paraprofessional Training Program

Many paraprofessionals enter the profession with a passion for helping students but limited access to formal professional learning.

The Paraprofessional Training Program provides a six-credit, one-semester experience that strengthens instructional skills and helps participants better support student learning. The program is designed for paraprofessionals with fewer than five years of experience and can also serve as a first step toward a future teaching degree (credits are transferable into the Bachelor of Arts program).

AI for Educators

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the educational landscape, yet many teachers have received little training on how to use these tools effectively.

The AI for Educators program helps classroom teachers explore practical and ethical applications of AI, including lesson planning, personalized instruction, and student AI literacy. Participants earn nine graduate credits that may be applied toward Doane University's Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

The program also prepares educators to serve as AI leaders within their schools, helping colleagues navigate emerging technologies responsibly.

Expanding Access Through Federal Funding

A key component of this partnership is affordability.

The Paraprofessional Training Program and AI for Educators program are supported through a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) within the U.S. Department of Education.

This funding helps make high-quality, credit-bearing professional learning more accessible to educators and districts while creating clear pathways toward future degree attainment.

What This Means for School Districts

For district leaders, these programs offer more than professional development opportunities—they provide a long-term workforce strategy.

Rather than relying exclusively on external recruitment, districts can invest in employees who are already committed to their schools and communities. This approach strengthens retention, builds institutional knowledge, and creates sustainable talent pipelines.

Dr. Sara Dail, Assistant Superintendent at Sterling Public Schools, sees the impact firsthand:

"For our district, Grow Your Own isn't just a strategy—it's a necessity. These programs give our paraprofessionals and teachers a realistic path to advance their careers while staying rooted in our community."

As districts continue searching for innovative solutions to educator shortages, partnerships like this demonstrate that some of the most effective answers may already be sitting in classrooms today.

Learn More

Interested in bringing these pathways to your district?

Limited seats are available for upcoming cohorts. District leaders can learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Paraprofessional Training Program, and AI for Educators program by connecting with the BloomBoard team.