Pasco launches 1st if a kind Tri-Cities teaching program to fill growing special ed need

Pasco School District has launched a new residency program that aims to place and retain highly qualified special education teachers in its classroom.

Graduates of the 18-month program will leave with 90 credits and a job offer that comes with a $74,000 annual salary — as long as you have a bachelor's degree.

Tracy Wilson, the district's executive director of special services, says the program aims to "empower future educators" while supporting the expansion of Pasco special education.

"This program will not only provide a valuable learning experience for residents but also help meet the growing need for qualified special education teachers in our district," she said.

Pasco has about 140 special education teachers working across several schools. They lead instruction for the district's 2,700 special ed students, about 13% of the district's total enrolled population.

These teachers work with students who live with a wide range of disabilities, be they learning, mental or physical. Instruction is often concentrated and focused around the student's need.

Nearly 50 education specialists and 300 paraeducators also help in this work, Wilson said.

"It's a very challenging job, though it's very rewarding," she said.

Many teachers cite burnout as a reason for leaving the profession. Educators who work with special needs students often go above and beyond the call of duty, assisting them with medical and personal grooming needs. Many also leave their jobs to take up other teaching opportunities, too.

But many also develop strong bonds with the families and students they serve.

New special ed program

The new teaching residency is a program that's been launched by the Washington Education Association.

Similar special education teacher residencies also will take place in Auburn, Federal Way, Issaquah, Mukilteo, Peninsula, Sedro-Woolley, Boney Lake and in Walla Walla, according to the state teacher's union.

It's also the first of its kind in the Tri-Cities.

The program is for individuals with a bachelor's degree or higher who want to earn a full teaching certificate with an endorsement in special education. The district is also encouraging paraprofessionals, emergency substitutes, classified staff and parents to apply.

Pasco launched its program this year with a cohort of four educators and will select its second cohort of four educators this fall.

The selected applicants will begin the 18-month program this summer and conclude in fall 2026.

The district pays the salary of the residents, about $41,000, while they student teach, train and learn the job.

Wilson said this gives special education teachers time to learn the ropes of the profession and the credits they earn will bump their pay once they get a job offer from the district. The average starting pay for a special ed teacher with a bachelor's degree and no teaching experience starts at $61,000.

Wilson said the program this first year has been "very competitive" despite the fact that districts often have to compete for these workers and the regular pool of applicants can be relatively shallow.

"We're very excited to be part of this unique opportunity," she said.