Kromrey Middle School paraeducator Beatriz Puntos Perez is among 14 educators chosen across five partner districts, including MCPASD, to receive a full-tuition grant through the Urban Educator Cohort Pathway at Edgewood College.
Through this opportunity, she will be able to complete her bachelor’s degree and earn her teaching license. In exchange, Puntos Perez has committed to teaching in MCPASD for at least three years after finishing the program, helping strengthen the pipeline of future educators in the District.
Since 2022, Puntos Perez has worked as a paraeducator at Kromrey Middle School, where she supports students with disabilities and multilingual learners.
“I have enjoyed building strong relationships with students,” Puntos Perez said. “The best part has been seeing them succeed in something they once thought was impossible.”
District leaders also recognized the significance of this accomplishment.
“We are thrilled that Beatriz has been selected as an Urban Educator Scholar, bringing her one step closer to her goal of becoming an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher,” said Talent Recruitment & Retention Coordinator Sherry Smith. “Since joining our District as a para-educator at Kromrey Middle School, Beatriz has become a vital team member who has developed meaningful relationships with both students and families.”
Puntos Perez was inspired to take this next step in her career because of her own experience as a multilingual learner.
“I understand the challenges these students face and I know how much a caring teacher can influence the way you see yourself,” Puntos Perez said. “This grant is an opportunity to earn my ESL and bilingual license, while also showing my daughters the value of perseverance and education.”
This opportunity reflects MCPASD’s commitment to its “grow-your-own” approach. The District aims to keep great people in schools, build career pathways, and invest in the future of classrooms.
“Our District prioritizes supporting current employees like Beatriz because when we invest in developing our current staff members, we preserve the wealth of school-specific knowledge and institutional understanding they've gained through their dedicated service – the kind of deep insight into our school culture that cannot be easily replicated or quickly transferred to new personnel,” said Smith. “This continuity proves particularly crucial in ESL education, where cultural understanding and family trust form the foundation of student success.”
Puntos Perez is grateful for the opportunity and support from Kromrey Middle School and District leadership.
“Personally, this means someone believes in me and in my potential to make a difference,” Puntos Perez said. “Professionally, this grant allows me to continue my education and gain the credentials I need to support students who often face additional barriers to success.”
Looking ahead, Puntos Perez hopes to inspire her future students in the same way teachers once inspired her. “I want to be a teacher who builds confidence, resilience, and a love for learning,” she said. “I hope to inspire students, especially those from multilingual backgrounds, to see that their strengths, differences, and voices matter.”
MCPASD looks forward to celebrating her continued contributions to students and families for years to come. Join us in congratulating Ms. Puntos Perez on this incredible achievement!
Applications to the Edgewood College Graduate or Undergraduate Education programs are being accepted through Oct. 15, 2025. For more information, view the recruitment flyer or email Sara Shaten at sshaten@edgewood.edu.