Meet Dr. Amanda Downard, McKendree’s Director of the Paraprofessional+ Program
Have you heard about McKendree’s new Paraprofessional+ Program? This innovative, fully online program allows paraprofessionals who wish to become certified teachers at the elementary level or in special education to obtain their initial licensure in only two years. McKendree created this program, which received certification from the Illinois State Board of Education this spring, to help address the teacher shortage in the state of Illinois. Leading the charge on this groundbreaking program is Dr. Amanda Downard, a 2012 McKendree alumna.
Believing is Achieving
A resident of O’Fallon, Ill., with roots in Belleville, Amanda originally wasn’t on the path of becoming an educator. Married with two young children, she once was a receptionist for an ophthalmologist when her children began school. As she was explaining a procedure to an elderly patient, the doctor suggested she should go to school since she sounded like a teacher. After mulling the thought over for a few weeks, Amanda made an appointment at a community college to discuss starting school.
“When I walked in, there was a McKendree recruiter sitting at the table. I spoke with her, and she encouraged me to apply to McKendree instead, so I did,” she said. “That ophthalmologist changed my life!”
Amanda graduated from McKendree with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and student-taught 4th grade at Ellis Elementary in District No. 175 in Belleville. Impressed with their focus on character education and evident love for students, Amanda knew she wanted to teach at the school; however, at the time there was an overabundance of teachers and not enough job openings.
“The principal at the time was equally impressed with me but did not have a teaching position open, so he offered me a paraprofessional position at Emge Jr. High School in Belleville,” Amanda said. “I started as an RTI paraprofessional the Monday after my student-teaching ended.”
As a paraprofessional, Amanda has a vast range of experience in the field of education. She worked with small groups of 6th-8th graders, leading direct instruction and reading recovery groups as she worked toward getting her master’s degree in special education. She also co-taught 6th grade special education, taught 5th grade general education for Harmony Intermediate in Belleville, and later returned to Ellis Elementary to co-teach 2nd grade as a special education teacher, ending her time in the district as a 7th grade language arts teacher.
Amanda began working on her doctorate degree and decided she wanted to learn more about teaching higher education, so she returned to her alma mater as an adjunct professor in 2022.
“I knew right away that it was my passion to prepare future teachers,” she said. “I started to notice that my experience was limited when it came to high school, so while teaching as an adjunct professor, I took a position as an assistant to the director of special services at O’Fallon High School, which allowed me to work with students from 9th grade to 22 years old and learn even more about the IEP process at the transition level. When the full-time position was posted at McKendree, I immediately knew it was what I was meant to do. I am a lifelong learner, and I truly believe the more experiences I have, the better I can prepare our future teachers and leaders.”
The Paraprofessional+ Pathway: The Ultimate Student-Teaching Experience
With extensive experience in the world of education, Amanda knows first-hand how essential paraprofessionals are to student success. She hasn’t just served as a paraprofessional, but she’s also worked with and managed paraprofessionals, so she has an intimate understanding of the experience they bring to the table and the barriers they face in the classroom.
“My journey was only made possible by someone believing in me and opening doors for me, even though I was approaching 30 and had never been to college. Some of the paraprofessionals in McKendree’s program range from early 20s into their 60s and have been in classrooms for 10 to 20 years already. Each of them can find success in our program – that’s what drew me to this position and excites me about this program!” Amanda said. “I’m also excited to watch them gain confidence in their abilities, take pride in their work, and see others being influenced by the decisions they make today as they create a better future for themselves, their families, and their future students.”
The Paraprofessional+ Pathway program began in the fall of 2023 and is growing every day. In its second year, it currently has 125 paraprofessionals – and Amanda has met with each of them, learning about their lives, goals, and dreams.
“I believe relationships matter,” she said. “Even though this program is online, it is my goal to ensure each student feels like a part of the McKendree family. I cannot wait to watch them graduate and feel the same pride I did!”
Her work doesn’t stop there. Aside from establishing those relationships and leading the program, Amanda is planning events to get these students on campus to meet with them face to face. She’s also planning to begin making site visits to see the impact they are making in the lives of their students and to get to know them more. What’s more, Amanda is working on building relationships with these paraprofessionals’ superintendents, administrators, and mentor teachers who are supporting her students through the program.
“It’s a big job, but I enjoy challenges,” she remarked.
Forging Ahead to the Future
Perhaps the biggest challenge that Amanda sees for these eager students is that they haven’t been in school for many years and often feel overwhelmed. To abate their fears, she holds virtual sessions to explain Brightspace, offers organizational tips, or simply lends an ear to allow her students to voice their concerns and give them reassurance.
“I am a firm believer in allowing students to be heard and making sure their basic needs are met. At McKendree, we offer many avenues for students to find success. Whether it’s tutoring services or counseling services, their needs must be met in order for them to succeed,” she said.
She also takes pride in creating a safe environment so her students can discuss the obstacles they face, which faculty may not even realize.
“Each day we are brainstorming and coming up with ways to break down any barriers and ensure success for all our students,” Amanda said.
In the future, Amanda hopes that, along with making site visits to get to know her students’ leaders, she can create a way for paraprofessionals to get together and build a culture of collaboration to help one another throughout their journey. Recently, these paraprofessionals, their administrators, mentor teachers, and family members were invited to attend a special Education Appreciation Tailgate on Oct. 19 on campus. More than 100 people showed up to enjoy food, fun, and McKendree football that day. Additionally, the paraprofessionals were invited to visit campus for several presentations and a tour of the campus during the university’s inaugural Lifelong Learning Exploration Day on Nov. 5.
“We want them to feel like a part of the campus community even though they are learning online,” Amanda said.
