SpEd Teacher Pathway by the Numbers

SpEd Teacher Pathway Program participants who completed their licensure program (listed by district partner):

Canby: 1
Fulda: 2
Heron Lake-Okabena: 2
KMS: 1
Litchfield: 2
MACCRAY: 2
Montevideo: 2
New London-Spicer: 2
Round Lake-Brewster: 1
Sleepy Eye: 2
SWWC: 5
Westbrook-Walnut Grove: 1
Windom Area: 1
Yellow Medicine East: 2

# of Fully Licensed Teachers in Critical Licensure Areas

Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS): 20
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): 1
Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (EBD): 4
Early Childhood Special Education: 2

Meet Recent Grads

Tina Mesner

I attended Windom Elementary for my student teaching. I completed this in December 2025 and then was hired on as a Special Education teacher in the elementary. My district was patient and helpful as I navigated through my final steps before receiving my degree and had a spot ready for me to slide right into.

What advice would offer to those considering joining the program?
The para pathway program made it possible for me to continue working full time in my school district as a para. The convenience of being online gave me a successful education without having to relocate. I was also able to use a lot of what I was doing already as a paraprofessional in my learning and assignments.

What are you most excited about upon completion of the SpEd Teacher Pathway Program in relation to your licensure area?
I am so excited to be able to be teaching kids. I loved being a paraprofessional, but I knew my first year working in the school district that I wanted to do more.

Sara Holmgren

I attended St. Cloud State University to gain my master's degree in special education with an emphasis on Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. I utilized the SpEd Pathway grant to help me to pay for these courses in order to gain more knowledge related to students with EBD. I am currently employed by Litchfield Schools as a Special Education Teacher. I look forward to continuing to work with students with EBD with the Litchfield Schools.

What advice would offer to those considering joining the program?
I appreciated the support offered as a recipient of the SpEd Teacher Pathway Program. My advice is to utilize these supports to help you to be successful in your journey to become a special education teacher.

What are you most excited about upon completion of the SpEd Teacher Pathway Program in relation to your licensure area?
I am looking forward to completing my master's degree and utilizing the tools that I have gained through this educational process. I feel that I have been able to focus my education on learning more about specific ways to help students with EBD.

Cassidy Teunissen

I graduated in December of 2025 with my licensure in Special Education ABS from Southwest Minnesota State University. I previously completed my elementary education degree there in 2022, so I completed my minor in special education. I am currently employed by Round Lake - Brewster School as a special education teacher. I have worked here for 4 years total, the last 3 years being in special education. My role is not changing at all, just now teaching with a completed license and no longer working with an out-field placement.

What advice would you offer those considering joining the SPED Teacher Pathway Program or currently in the program?
I was moved to a special education teacher position and never imagined I would love it as much as I do. I had previously earned a minor in special education so I looked into what it would take to finish the degree. Once I had decided that was the route I wanted to go, my SPED director told me about the grant and told me I should apply.

I wanted to join because I wasn't in a position to want to take out additional loans to complete my schooling, but I also wanted to stay in special education so it made sense for me to join."

What are you most excited about upon completion of the SPED Teacher Pathway Program in relation to your licensure area?
My goal starting this program was to earn my ABS license and I have now done that! I am excited to continue working in special education and helping my students grow and succeed!

Amber Schaffran

I completed the Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) program at the University of St. Thomas, graduating in December 2025. In addition to my graduate degree, I hold two bachelor’s degrees, one in Business and another in Child Development. I am currently employed as a high school Bridges teacher at the SWWC Marshall ELC, where I support students with diverse academic, behavioral, and social emotional needs. With my licensure, I plan to continue in this role.

What piece of advice would you offer those considering joining the program?
The Special Education Teacher Pathway Program is an excellent option for anyone wanting to pursue a degree in special education while continuing to work in the field. The program allowed me to complete my coursework online, which made it possible to stay employed in special education and apply what I was learning directly in my classroom. The program also provides financial assistance and mentoring support, which removes barriers that often make it difficult for working adults to return to school. For those considering the program, or currently in it, the biggest strengths are the flexibility, the structured support system, and the opportunity to advance in special education without leaving your current role. If you are committed to the field and need a realistic route to completing your degree, the Pathway Program offers a practical and well‑supported way to achieve that goal.

What are you most excited about upon completion of the SpEd Teacher Pathway Program in relation to your licensure area?
When I began the program, my goal was to strengthen my skills in early childhood special education, since ECSE was the only setting I had previously worked in and felt familiar with. As I moved through my practicums, I had the opportunity to experience a range of grade levels and disability areas. That exposure helped me discover that I was especially drawn to supporting emotional and behavioral needs. Those experiences ultimately led me to my current role as a special education teacher in a federal setting IV school, where I feel well matched and excited to continue growing in my practice.

Courtney Hanson

I received my special education ABS license in December of 2026. I was working as a special education paraprofessional for about 6 years. With this degree, I was able to apply and get hired to be a special education long term substitute at our preschool. I will be in this role until April of 2026. Then I will be looking to apply for full time special education positions.

What advice would you give to students considering joining this program?
Some advice I would give to those considering joining would be to just do it! It may seem like a daunting task but there are so many people that are willing and able to help you with anything. I was very grateful to work with an amazing group of teachers that were always willing to help me with anything I needed, and I was able to go to them with any questions I had. The SpEd Teacher Pathway Program is an amazing opportunity that relieves a lot of financial stress, which was huge for me. It was also nice just to have another person checking in on you and making sure you are doing okay and asking if you needed anything.

What are you most excited about upon completion of the SpEd Teacher Pathway Program in relation to your licensure area?
The thing I am most excited about upon completing my special education degree through the Teacher Pathway Program is continuing to grow as an educator. Now that I am in a teaching position, I am learning so many things that are hard to obtain and grasp unless you are doing them every day. I love that no day is ever the same and I am always learning new things. My favorite part about my job is the students I work with and watching them grow and make gains every day.