Student teachers with the Texas State University Teacher Fellows Program will now be able to take part in a master's program while serving as a classroom teacher at Bastrop ISD campuses.

The details

The BISD board of trustees approved the memorandum of understanding with Texas State unanimously at an Aug. 20 regular meeting.

Student teachers from Texas State who have completed clinical or student teaching will be able to receive a master’s of education degree in 15 months through the program.

Diana Greene, BISD director of human resources, said she is hoping the program will help bring new teachers to the district.

“I think if we can get them in the door, then we can absolutely keep them [in the district],” Green said. “This is new, and I'm really excited about it, because not only are we helping to recruit for it, but Texas State is helping to find people for us as well.”

A closer look

BISD will pay the student’s salary to Texas State, who will apply the money towards the tuition and fees associated with the program before giving the student a stipend with the difference, Greene said.

BISD currently has three student teachers located at various campuses for the 2024-25 school year. The agreement allows BISD to retain the student teachers for an additional year as they complete the master's degree program, Greene said.