How Supercourses Are Used to Prepare Paraprofessionals to Become Teachers
The brief from EdPrepLab describes how the Teaching Fellows program at Arizona State University (ASU) creates an accelerated pathway for paraeducators to earn a teaching degree and certification while continuing to work in schools. Designed in response to barriers such as time constraints, financial pressures, and the complexity of navigating higher education, the program centers on an innovative Supercourse model. Grounded in the science of learning and development, the model connects coursework with authentic classroom practice, reduces logistical burdens for adult learners, and supports candidates through relationship-centered and job-embedded learning. The brief examines the design of the Supercourse structure, the integration of coursework and clinical experiences, and lessons learned from implementation as ASU works to strengthen pathways into teaching and expand the educator workforce. This brief illustrates how thoughtful program design can expand access to teacher preparation while helping candidates apply new learning directly within the classrooms and communities they serve.
Citation
Holton, A. (2026). How Supercourses Are Used to Preparate Paraprofessionals to Become Teachers. [Brief]. EdPrepLab.