What is The Buff START Program?
The West Texas A&M University Buff START Program provides paraprofessionals with the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree and earn standard Texas teacher certification while maintaining their employment.
Paraprofessionals bring valuable classroom experience to the teaching profession, including familiarity with classroom management, an understanding of the school environment, and established connections with the communities and students they serve.
Upon admission to the Buff START Program, teacher candidates are paired with one or more cooperating teachers who have at least three years of teaching experience and teach in the candidate's intended certification area. Candidates participate in authentic instructional activities, including lesson planning, delivering instruction, leading small-group or individual reviews, and grading.
Please Note: Buff START candidates cannot serve as the teacher of record while participating in the program.
Benefits of the Buff START Program
- Earn a B.S.Ed. degree and teacher certification from an accredited Texas university.
- Become eligible for Texas educator certification while completing the program, without additional alternative certification costs.
- Apply certain instructional duties toward clinical teaching requirements.
- Gain authentic teaching experience under the supervision of one or more highly qualified cooperating teachers.
Buff START Requirements
- Be highly recommended by a campus or district administrator.
- Have served as a paraprofessional in your current school district for at least four months.
- Spend at least four hours per workday providing instruction in the content area you intend to teach.
- Hold an Educational Aide certificate and progress to Level III.
- Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Be Texas Core Curriculum complete, with 60 semester credit hours.
If you have a heart for teaching and meet the Buff START requirements, we would be delighted to have you join the program.
Explore the Buff START Information Flyer, Checklist, certification-specific degree plans, Recommendation Form, and WTAMU admissions information available on this page. You can also watch the video below to learn more about this opportunity.
The following certification areas are offered fully online.
*After the School District Paraprofessional Recommendation Form has been approved by the EPP, the prospective Buff START candidate should contact the Buff START advisor to discuss pathway options and apply to West Texas A&M University.
