In order to attract good, qualified candidates to the teaching profession in VA, we need to use education funding at the state level to help school districts hire recent college graduates for paraprofessional positions that place them in schools fulltime at the same time they begin master degree programs that lead to initial teacher licensure. Part of the funding would be used as staff development funds to help pay the tuition of these paraprofessionals who are working toward endorsements in critical need areas such as math, science and special education. By working in schools, these candidates would be earning invaluable teaching experiences - similar to candidates in professional development schools.