Center of Excellence in Special Education

PrePARE Today. Exceptional Teachers Tomorrow.

At the University of Wyoming's Center of Excellence in Special Education, we believe that every future educator should enter the classroom prepared to meet the diverse needs of all students, including students with disabilities. Through our innovative PrePARE (Preservice Preparation Advanced Residency Experience) program, aspiring teachers spend a full year embedded in local schools—working 20-25 hours each week as paraprofessionals during their methods semester before transitioning into student teaching in the same classrooms. Originally developed for students pursuing dual majors in elementary and special education, PrePARE is expanding to prepare future educators across elementary and secondary disciplines.

PrePARE students gain approximately 300 additional hours of classroom experience, giving them opportunities to build meaningful relationships with students, to collaborate with special and general educators, and to learn firsthand how individualized supports help students with disabilities access, participate in, and succeed in the classroom. As one PrePARE student reflected, "I feel very fortunate that I have been able to see the school year right from the start and be truly involved in every step that my students make as we progress." This experience helps future educators move beyond simply learning about diverse student needs to developing the confidence, skills, and collaborative practices needed to effectively support all learners, including students with disabilities.

While PrePARE offers an immersive preparation experience, it also requires a significant commitment. During their first semester, PrePARE students balance demanding methods coursework with 20-25 hours each week serving students in Wyoming schools. During their second semester, they work as full-time educators while completing their student teaching requirements. Your Giving Day gift will provide financial support that helps these future educators fully commit to this intensive year of preparation and focus on becoming the highly prepared teachers Wyoming students deserve.

When you support PrePARE, you are investing in more than one future teacher. You are helping build a Wyoming educator workforce in which general and special educators alike are prepared to meet diverse learning needs and create meaningful opportunities for all students, with and without disabilities, to succeed.