Tracy Unified School District recognized 15 classified employees at last week’s regular Board of Education meeting on Jan. 13 as the first group to graduate from Reach University with liberal arts degrees
Courtesy of Tracy Unified School District
Tracy Unified School District recognized 15 classified employees at last week’s regular Board of Education meeting on Jan. 13 as the first group to graduate from Reach University with liberal arts degrees.
The district launched the program with Reach University, an online education program, in order to provide people already working with the district a path toward attaining teaching credentials. The California Commission on Teaching Credentialing approved grant funding of up to $192,000 per-year to put people through the degree program at a cost of about $4,800 per-person.
The goal was to fill a gap created when many teachers took early retirement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Classified employees with at least 2 years of college could benefit from the grant to complete bachelor’s degrees, which sets them up to pursue a teaching credential.
Zachary Boswell, TUSD’s Associate Superintendent for Educational Services, said that more than 40 employees enrolled in Reach University since the program was introduced in 2023, and the first wave of graduates got their diplomas in December.
• Contact the Tracy Press at tpnews@tracypress.com or (209) 835-3030.
TUSD staff members to earn Reach University diplomas:
Anabel Gutierrez, paraeducator, Williams Middle School
Brie-Anne Paterson, paraeducator, Poet Christian Elementary School
Carmen Serrato, paraeducator, Bohn Elementary School
Dyan Brown, special education behavior intervention teams, McKinley Elementary School and District Education Center
Jenay Sanchez, paraeducator, North Elementary School
Johanna Gomez, secretary, Facilities Department
Lori Borges, bookkeeper, West High School
Maria Perez de Leal, paraeducator, South/West Park Elementary School
Melissa Baccam,, paraeducator, Kimball High School
Natalie Bartholdi, paraeducator, behavior intervention team, Freiler Elementary School and Williams Middle Schools
Ronita Rai, paraeducator, Freiler Elementary School
Shaneen Samayoa Baten, preschool instructor, Hirsch Elementary School
Stephanie Fracolli, paraeducator, Tracy High School
Thamara Ruiz, parent liaison, Freiler Elementary School and McKinley Elementary School
Yagana Amiryar, paraeducator, Tracy High School