Join Ladders of Opportunity

Our goal is to build educational and career pathways for Parent Mentors to create economic empowerment and liberation so that they and their families, local schools, and  communities are connected, healthy, safe, and influential.

In particular, Ladders is developing a first-of-its-kind paraprofessional pathway with an emphasis on disability and language justice in our schools. In line with our values, the Ladders of Opportunity team has a collective passion for equity and social justice and a strong education for liberation mindset and a deep interest in using data for learning and innovation in program development.

Paraprofessionals are school employees and vital members of a school’s support staff. They are educators (licensed with stipulations) who support students’ learning under the supervision of a licensed/certified teacher. Paraprofessionals commonly provide instructional support which can include one-on-one or group support, assist with classroom management, and provide instructional and physical assistance to students in a special education classroom.

Paraprofessional is an umbrella term that includes positions such as teacher assistants, special education classroom assistants (SECAs), behavioral aides, instructional aides, language aides, and paraeducators.

In addition to helping nine Parent Mentor partner organizations pilot the Ladders of Opportunity initiative in their respective communities, PEI-Ladders has a dedicated staff that provides coaching for foreign transcript evaluations and paraprofessional and teacher licensure.

PEI-Ladders also hosts workshops and informational sessions throughout the year, covering topics like building healthy working relationships with lead teachers, stages of child development, universal strategies for supporting all students, restorative practices, introduction to neurodivergent learners, and more.

You can learn more information on the ISBE website at this link.

To receive support from PEI-Ladders of Opportunity, you must be a current or past participant of the Parent Mentor Program.

Parent Mentors who studied in another country can have their credentials and credits validated in the United States. A foreign transcript evaluation is needed for parents seeking employment within certain careers and/or looking to enroll at a college or university. You can also use it to apply for different types of ISBE licenses.

PEI-Ladders of Opportunity can help any current or former Parent Mentor, Coordinator or Organizer to obtain their FREE Foreign Transcripts Evaluation.

PEI - PMP and/or Ladders of Opportunity Universal does not offer any Language Classes. 

If you are a Ladders Pilot Organization, speak to your Ladders Organizer.

If you are not a pilot, and are interested in taking English or Spanish classes, we recommend you talk to your coordinator and together find this resource in your community. 

Parents interested in the free Spanish classes that were offered through CPS-Parent University should talk to their coordinator for further information.

No. Paraprofessionals do not receive and currently cannot apply for endorsements. 

Paraprofessionals can either apply for a license that is renewable every 5 years if they meet all state requirements, or a Short Term Approval which is non- renewable for those who currently only hold HS Diploma/GED.

Yes, Ladders Universal and Ladders Pilots provide support to PMP participants - current and alumni-  who have completed 100 hours of hands-on in-class volunteer work. This includes PMs, Coordinators, and Organizers 

No. Parents do not need to be part of Ladders to be Parent Mentors

And, not all parent mentors have to be part of Ladders.

Ladders is intended for Parent Mentor Program participants, current and alumni who are ready and seeking to work in education and/or advance their careers.

No. The state requires applicants to submit a copy of their GED certificate.

No. That is a direct service many organizations offer in house.  If you are a pilot, contact your Ladders organizer for more information   

If you are not a pilot, and if this is your Goal,  talk to your coordinator to start a plan.

Unfortunately, we do not have capacity to provide GED support to over 30 organizations— but Pilot Organizations might offer this support in house. Check with your Ladders Organizer if you are a pilot.