September 28, 2023
East Texas Baptist University hosted a luncheon in the Great Hall of the Great Commission Center, celebrating the achievements of 17 dedicated paraprofessionals from Marshall Independent School District (MISD) who are enrolled in the MavPATH program. MavPATH is an initiative that paves the way for these individuals to pursue a bachelor of science in education from ETBU with a focus in elementary education.
“We believe that what’s happening here is not just changing your life or your family’s life, but it’s going to change the entire community,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders said. “You all are the trailblazers, taking a path ETBU has not taken before and that Marshall ISD has not taken before. We are so thankful for the people who put this initiative together, and we’re grateful for all of you.”
Marshall ISD’s commitment to its paraprofessionals is evident in the selection and support of individuals who have dedicated at least one year of service to the school district. MISD goes a step further by generously covering the tuition and course fees for each student enrolled in the program. Participants in the MavPATH program gain full access to ETBU's comprehensive range of student services, ensuring a seamless transition into university life. With the district’s scholarship support, MavPATH paraprofessionals commit to full-time educational service during their college enrollment and as MISD teachers upon completion of their bachelor’s degree in education.
“This ingenious program conceived by MISD and ETBU leadership under Dr. Langley’s vision addresses the need for qualified and certified teachers for the district,” President J. Blair Blackburn said. “We have the human resources of devoted Marshallites, who want to stay in our community and invest in our local children. With this revolutionary teacher training model established and effectively working, we are thankful for the support of the school district board and administrative leadership and excited about the program's success. Hopefully, there will be more open doors for current support staff to serve the district as educated, quality teachers.”
During the luncheon, MISD Superintendent Richele Langley praised the members of the program’s first cohort. “I am hearing great things from your principals,” Dr. Langley said. “I’m so appreciative of your taking this leap of faith. I’m hearing great feedback, not only from our staff but also from our community, about the work you’re doing. I cannot wait to be sitting in the graduation ceremony when you all cross that stage.”
The MavPATH program serves as a bridge, allowing MISD paraprofessionals to gain job-embedded classroom experience as they work toward their college degree through ETBU, all while pursuing teacher certification. The pathway exemplifies ETBU’s and MISD's shared dedication to both the educational development of staff and improved student learning, which leads to the betterment of families within the local community.
“This has been such a great experience,” MavPATH participant and Marshall Early Childhood Center educator Krystal Murray said. “My first son and I are both in college right now. I originally started college following high school, but I dropped out when he was born. Now we are both in our first year of college together, and I’m so thankful for it. It’s never too late to go back and finish what you started—that’s my motto. It’s not about how you start, but about how you finish.”
Dr. Blackburn added, “Together, MISD and ETBU have built a novel pipeline to train these paraprofessionals through this life-changing vocational development program. It is amazing to see 17 support personnel engaged in and excited about this professional teacher training model. As was said by Dr. Langley and Dr. Sanders, the elementary school learning environment is being significantly improved, and scores of lives are being transformed: current paraprofessionals, students in our schools, and their families—ultimately improving our entire Marshall community.”