GBAPS Staff Earn Master's Degrees

15 GBAPS staff members stand in front of a blue and white GBAPS step and repeat.

Dec 18 2024

Addressing the Teacher Shortage by Growing Our Own

Fifteen Green Bay Area Public School District staff members were recognized at a ceremony on December 11, 2024, after earning a master’s degree through a partnership with UW-Green Bay.

Two years ago, the District was awarded a State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Wisconsin Fast Forward Industry Sector grant, which would allow for the development and implementation of a program to support a teacher pipeline. In collaboration with UW-Green Bay, GBAPS connected with staff members with a bachelor's degree and who were interested in becoming teachers. The program would allow 15 staff members to pursue a master’s degree and K-9 licensure, at no cost to them.

For the past two years, these 15 employees took courses through UW-Green Bay, in-person at West High School, while maintaining employment with GBAPS.

GBAPS Educator Development and Effectiveness Coordinator Marie Viste spoke at the ceremony and reflected on the staff members’ journeys within the District.

“Two years ago you were inspired to grow, to take a risk,” Viste said from the lectern. “You took a chance on an idea. You made yourself vulnerable in order to make a change.”

Betsy Luczaj shared her journey from a job she said she loved, the attendance and student services secretary at Red Smith School, to becoming a teacher at 55 years old.

Luczaj received an email from the District regarding the master’s degree cohort and future teaching opportunities and she said it stuck with her. Even though Luczaj was uncertain about becoming a teacher, she said she told friends, family and colleagues about the opportunity, and was met with overwhelming encouragement.

“You have to do this! You’d be an amazing teacher! We need teachers like you!” friends and family told Luczaj.

“I believed none of it, but yet, I decided to apply,” Luczaj said.

Out of many candidates she was accepted and she said the next two years were a whirlwind. She was offered a teaching position at Edison Middle School before her master’s degree was even complete. She’s since returned to Red Smith School, now as a third grade teacher.

“To think that now, less than two years later, I have a dream teaching job at the school that I left as a clerical secretary just feels unbelievable,” Luczaj said. “My life has changed dramatically because of this opportunity.”

To date, 13 out of the 15 participants are currently in teaching positions, and one is serving in a manager role, all within the District. All 15 will receive their master’s degree. The program not only enabled the District to fill teaching positions, it also enabled the staff members to significantly increase their annual earnings.

Participants were also invited to walk at UW-Green Bay’s mid-year commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Weidner.

The following GBAPS staff members were apart of the master's cohort: