Select a profession in schooling with no school diploma – The Ukiah Each day Journal
When we talk about apprenticeships, most of us think of teaching. The truth is that education takes a whole host of people in all kinds of jobs in order to provide students with the support they need to be successful. We transport children to and from school – with bus drivers. We feed students – with food service employees. We give them extra attention and support – with paraprofessionals (teaching aids). We provide clean, safe learning environments – with supervisors and maintenance staff.
When students returned to the classroom after more than a year of distance learning, schools started hiring vacancies, but fear of COVID reduced the number of applicants. I’m here to let you know schools are a great place to work – especially because they have so many security measures. In October, the Mendocino County Health Department hosted a meeting of local K-12 leaders, attended by Health Officer Dr. Andy Coren complimented attendees on how well the schools have minimized the risk of infection.
COVID exists in our communities, but schools are safer than many workplaces. Everyone on the school premises wears masks indoors, schools continue to clean and disinfect high-traffic areas and regular tests are carried out. And with the approval of COVID vaccines for students aged 5 and over, we have another level of protection for students and staff.
So now is a good time to start thinking about a career in education. Here are some options.
bus driver
Schools across Mendocino County need bus drivers. Being a bus driver requires special training and license, and as the drivers interact with the students, they must pass rigorous background and drug screening. The work takes place in split shifts (transportation of the students in the morning and then again in the afternoon with a break in the middle). Most positions are part-time and pay between $ 16.06 and $ 31.00 per hour. Some counties combine bus travel with maintenance so that employees have a full-time position, but even with this creative solution it is difficult to find enough drivers.
Paraprofessional – teaching assistant
If traveling by bus isn’t your thing, you might prefer to become a teaching or special education teacher. Teachers rely on paraprofessionals to help with several important tasks. For example, students range from proficient to difficult in a particular subject. When a teacher has the assistance of a “para”, the teacher can provide information to those who need it at a slower pace. Paras also help by preparing materials, grading materials, working with the class while the teacher handles a specific situation, and more. Special educators work with students with developmental disabilities and other challenges. These parasites accompany students with special needs to help them overcome learning challenges.
You don’t need a college degree to become a Para, but you must pass the Paraprofessional exam, which is usually at the educational level of an associate’s degree. Paras are always directed by a teacher using the teacher’s curriculum and lesson plans. Paraprofessionals typically work part-time, and the positions pay between $ 13.72 and $ 25.50 an hour, depending on the district.
Food service
The next in-demand job is a food service employee. Preparing and serving nutritious meals to students gives students the fuel they need to be successful. Many students across the county rely on school meals for good nutrition. We offer both breakfast and lunch at many schools, and this year all school meals are provided free of charge to all students. Food service workers earn between $ 13.72 and $ 25.50 an hour.
Custodian
Another important task is that of the administrator. The great thing about this position is that the work is often done after hours so it can serve as a side job. In collaboration with the daytime maintenance staff, the caretakers help keep the classrooms clean and safe. Supervision tasks include cleaning floors, bathrooms, and other areas. Custodians make between $ 14.13 and $ 28.12 an hour.
If you are looking for work and have an idea of helping children, you should consider going into education. They say one of the greatest success factors for children is having a stable and supportive adult present in their life. That could be a teacher, of course, but it could just as easily be a bus driver, a Para, or any number of other adults who work in education.
Michelle Hutchins is the Headmistress of the Mendocino County Office of Education.
