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FLEX Grow-Your-Own Program
CONTACT US
Dr. Kristen L Pratt
Flexible Pathways Coordinator, Associate Professor of ESOL and Bilingual Education
Office: RWEC 127
Phone: (503) 838-9221
Email: prattk@wou.edu
¡Hablo español!
Brenda Plata-Hurtado
FLEX Undergraduate Advisor
Schedule an appointment to talk
Office: RWEC 165
Phone: (503) 838-9772
Email: platahurtadob@wou.edu
¡Hablo español!
Julian Elizalde
Post Bacc and Graduate Advisor
Schedule an appointment to talk
Office: RWEC 164
Phone: (503) 838-9781
Email: elizaldej@wou.edu
¡Hablo español!
Dr. Marie LeJeune
Associate Dean for the Office of Clinical Practice
Office: RWEC 217
Phone: (503) 838-8450
Email: lejeunem@wou.edu
Discover the right path for you
The Flexible Licensure Educator Pathways (FLEX) Program, housed at Western Oregon University (WOU), is a GYO program that supports communities, schools, classrooms, and families through place-conscious partnerships that seek to address critical shortages of highly qualified teachers. As a 2+2 program, two years (or 90 credits) are earned at a local community college and two years (or 90 credits) are earned at the University. Program candidates earn Western Oregon University’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and are eligible to earn an Oregon Teaching License.
Program Completers
Months to Complete
Candidates Currently Enrolled
Program candidates are provided with the flexibility needed to support them on their pathway to earning a degree. Courses are available either part-time or full-time and delivered in a variety of ways: synchronous evening classes, weekend classes and asynchronous online classes, with the option to have classes delivered in Spanish. At WOU, each needed course to complete the degree is offered flexibly at least once during the academic year and/or summer. Program candidates also receive instructional coaching; attend a yearly conference with professional development and networking; engage in a culminating event at the end of the program; and benefit from district supports such as summer internships, employment during the academic year, and scholarships.
The program’s goals are to:
- Address the critical shortages of highly qualified teachers,
- Address disparities in the teacher workforce for ethnoracially and linguistically diverse educators,
- Support the persistence of educators along educator career pathways, and
- Transform educational outcomes for students in schools through a community centered, place conscious approach to teacher development.
Supports:
✓ Paraeducators
✓ Adult community members
✓ Provisionally licensed and currently employed educators
Partners:
✓ School districts
✓ Educational service districts
✓ Community colleges
Targets:
✓ Bilingual/multilingual
✓ BIPOC
✓ Rural
Funders:
✓ State grants
Hear what former students have to say…
“I chose to join the FLEX Cohort because I was ready to obtain my teaching license. I have been encouraged by faculty during the hardships of balancing teaching full time, classes on Saturdays, and taking care of my mental health. This year The FLEX cohort has given me the opportunity to grow as an educator, to learn new teaching methods, and the FLEX Program has given me the opportunity to meet amazing peers and educators.”
Maria Isabel Martinez, current Elementary Teacher
February 2023
“I am a single mom of two boys. I am the provider of my household and being part of the FLEX Cohort gives me the opportunity to keep on working and providing for my family as well as continuing my education to become a teacher. Attending the University was never in my plans, because English is not my first language, and I have never seen someone in my family attend a University.
One of the things that I enjoy most about the FLEX Cohort is that we only had a couple of meetings on a Saturday. And on my free Saturdays, I was able to enjoy being a mom. The program gives you lots of flexibility if you are accountable for managing your own time.
I am a first-generation college student. I am a single mom. And many times we are scared to do things, but encourage you to look for your opportunities. If you’re working full time, if you’re a single parent, or if you live far away from the University, the FLEX Cohort is the perfect opportunity for you to consider becoming a teacher.”
Loreli Estrada Correa, current ELD and Spanish Teacher
March 2023
FAQs Answered by Flexible Pathways Student
Maria José Solis:
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Can you describe which aspects of the program were most helpful to you in supporting your degree completion?
One aspect of the program that was the most helpful was having classes on the weekends and having them be virtual. It was a smooth transition from having to take all virtual classes during the pandemic to being in the flexible pathway cohort and having all my classes be virtual or Hyflex. It allowed me to stay in the grind of online classes. Not having classes on the weekdays or meetings was also nice because I did not have to commute as much as I did before entering the Education Program and having all in person classes.
What made you choose the flexible licensure pathway to complete your teaching license credentials?
The reason that I chose the flexible licensure pathway to complete my teaching credential was because I was a non-traditional student and still had to work. Having weekends to focus on classes was convenient when having to work, do the required hours for student teaching, and completing all the assignments for classes.
Is there anything else you think would encourage others that it is possible if they want to earn their teaching license?
Western Oregon University takes care of their students. As a Latinx, non-traditional student, and first-generation student I have had nothing but great experiences here at WOU. I have met wonderful mentors, and professors who really care about their students and will go out of their way to make sure one is successful.
What about the flexible licensure pathway specifically made it possible for you to complete your degree?
The flexible licensure pathway made it possible for me to complete my degree as I could work until I needed to and was able to continue my student teaching. My cohort leader and the professor for the flexible pathway program provided all the information needed to make sure I was on track to complete my degree.
Western Oregon University offers equitable opportunities for you to participate in place-conscious degree completion as you earn an initial teaching license. Along with teacher licensure, you can also add endorsement programs such as English for Speakers of Other Languages. Classes are offered mostly online with some remote evening and Saturday sessions. You can earn your teaching license in a place-conscious way without having to leave your community or disrupt your daily life.
Western remains the largest preparer of newly licensed teachers in Oregon for the second year in a row. WOU graduated 14.56% of all licensed teachers in the state of Oregon in 2021-2022. According to the Oregon Education Public Employment Report from 2022, WOU-prepared teachers also remain in their jobs in Oregon schools and classrooms longer than educators prepared at other colleges and universities.
According to the data, when compared to 3-year retention rates across the State (Oregon Equity Reports, 2020 & 2019), Western prepared teachers are 16.87% more retained.
“Preparing educators is one of the strengths of Western Oregon University. This is especially important during times of a state and national teacher shortage. The faculty and staff here provide an inspirational educational experience, and our students graduate incredibly well-prepared to enter the profession and be successful.”
“Several core values underlie all our [teacher preparation] work including justice, equity, inclusivity, service, and application of our gifts in the real world. Our shared goals are to improve the world for our communities, the individuals with whom we work, and the world at large.”
Next steps
Apply online today! WOU features rolling admissions, meaning we review applications throughout the year and applicants can select the start term of their choice. More information for Post-Baccalaureate students can be found here.
Priority Deadline: January 15
Scholarship Deadline: March 1
