• SWWC – 2
• Fulda – 1
• HLO – 1
• MACCRAY – 1
• Montevideo – 1
• Sleepy Eye -1
• YME – 1

• 5 - Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS)
• 1 – Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
• 1 – Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (EBD)

I attended Southwest Minnesota State University and got a degree in Early Childhood Special Education. I am an ECSE teacher that services preschool students at Sleepy Eye Public School and plan to continue in this position.

What advice would you give to students considering joining this pipeline program?
As someone who worked as a full-time educator while going to school, it was definitely challenging but also very rewarding. Look for the positives and remember the benefits of bettering yourself. Even though I was only with the program for a short while, I always felt supported and respected. When I requested help, someone reached out quickly and I never felt like I was forced to take on any additional support or tasks. I greatly appreciated that aspect as I was completing my student teaching experience and working at the same time. It was difficult to manage my time but SWWC never made me feel like I needed to do more than I was already doing to fulfill components of the program.

I attended Western Governors University and I will earn my Masters of Arts in Teaching, Special Education. Currently, I am the 6th grade special education teacher at MACCRAY. I am hoping to continue with the students I currently have and follow them to 7th grade.

What advice would offer to those considering joining the pipeline program?
DO IT!!!!!!  It has been such a great experience getting my masters through WGU. My experience at WGU was phenomenal. They there every step of the way to support and help me in any way they could. I absolutely LOVED this university. I could go at my own pace and complete classes as quickly as I wanted or if life got busy, I could slow down. WGU checked in with me regularly while motivating and encouraging me every step of the way. I would DEFINITELY recommend the Pipeline program!  I am beyond thankful for this program's financial support for going back to school so I can continue to help students excel!

I attended Southwest Minnesota State University. Para-to-SPED program-Academic Behavioral Strategist. I am currently a MS/HS paraprofessional at YME. I hope to become a high school special education teacher at YME.

What advice would offer to those considering joining the pipeline program?
If you can see yourself being a special education teacher, do it! Don't let anything deter your decision, just go for it! The reward will be so worth any hard work you need to put in. Also, utilize as many grants as you possibly can! When I got into the Pipeline program, I only had one year to go and needed financial support. Once accepted into the program, I quickly learned that there were so many more benefits than I even imagined. 

I attended Winona State University for SpEd/ABS license. I currently teach SpEd in grades 1-6 at Heron Lake Elementary. This is where I plan to continue to teach in the future. 

What advice would you offer to those considering joining the pipeline program?
This is a great opportunity for you to help you advance in your career and they are all so helpful with any questions that you may have! Good luck to all who are interested the SpEd worls!

I graduated from Bemidji State University in December of 2024 with a master's degree in SpEd - EBD. I will be getting my tier 4 SpEd license in EBD this summer. I am in my sixth year teaching in a Setting IV special education classroom. 

What advice would you offer to those considering joining the pipeline program?
There's no better time than now. Get to know your professors and classmates. I made great friends and formed very helpful relationships. This program made me much more confident in my abilities academically and professionally. I cannot recommend this program enough. It is a fabulous program and I am grateful it exists. I've had a long journey to get to where I am, and I would recommend this program and Bemidji State to anyone. 

I attended Southwest Minnesota State University and will be getting licensed in Special Education Academic Behavioral Strategist (ABS). I have two bachelor’s degrees already in unrelated majors. I am currently working in Montevideo Middle School District #129 as a 5th grade Special Education teacher and plan to continue this role. I will also be working on a master's in SpEd.

What advice would you offer those considering joining the pipeline program?
Work as a paraprofessional first to get an idea of how to fully assist students and what their role is before you become their supervisor. Also look into all the different roles and disabilities there are as a special education teacher. Some are more hands-on than others as well as mild/moderate to severe. I am so thankful that this program exists and helps assist students towards earning their license. Teachers need all the support we can get. 

I attended Southwest Minnesota State University and received a bachelor's degree in K-12 SpEd - ABS. am currently a paraprofessional at an ELC and hope to become a teacher of my own classroom, working with students in elementary. 

What advice would you offer to those considering joining the pipeline program?
Stop waiting and go for it! Knowledge is powerful, so never stop learning. I heard of the pipeline grant while preparing for my senior year at SMSU. I was looking for a way to successfully complete the final requirements of student teaching while still supporting my family responsibilities and needs. Not only was I introduced to the pipeline grant, I was introduced to an organization that supports and celebrates the success created through the grant. While I was late in learning of the pipeline grant, I look forward to continuing the growth of learning by moving forward towards my master's in special education. 

I attended Southwest Minnesota State University and got my ABS Licensure K-12 Sped. I am currently working as Para at Fulda Elementary and have been for the last nine years. I have already signed a contract to work next year as an interventionist teacher until there is an open special education teaching position. 

What piece of advice would you offer those considering joining the pipeline program?  
This will be one of the most fulfilling and impactful paths you can take. After working in the field for a while, I realized I needed more tools and knowledge to help my students succeed. This program felt like the perfect chance to become a better teacher, learn new strategies for my classroom, and connect with others who shared the same passion for special education. I wanted to feel more confident in my ability to help my students and handle any challenges that came up. The program gave me the support I needed to achieve a life-long dream and took away some of the financial burden and stress college can have on someone.