Dayton — WGU Ohio has awarded Sherrie Bair, a paraprofessional in the Dayton Public Schools’ Rosa Parks Early Learning Center, a $2,000 Become a Teacher Scholarship. With WGU’s already low tuition and fees, the scholarship represents about a 15 percent savings each term.

Bair was a stay-at-home mother and went back to school after her daughter left for college. She earned her associate degree and thought she would be satisfied, since she was teaching preschool at a child care center. However, during her student teaching with Dayton Public Schools, she realized her passion was special education.

“My student teaching assignment was in a classroom that includes children with disabilities. I immediately became interested in Special Education and knew that my academic journey was not over,” Bair said. “I cannot be licensed to be a lead teacher in the public school system without (a bachelor’s degree). I enjoy the school setting much more than the child care setting. Also, I am 44 years old. I waited to pursue my career until after my daughter was grown and off doing her own thing. Now is definitely the time to pursue this degree.”

WGU tuition is about half the cost of most other online universities, helping students graduate with little or no student debt. Additionally, the university maintains a robust program of scholarships made available to qualified students.

WGU offers bachelor’s or master’s degrees through a unique, competency-based approach to education -- an ideal match for busy, working adults who need a degree to advance their careers. Competency-based learning is ideal for adult learners, who enroll in college with different levels of knowledge as well as a wide variety of learning styles, because it allows them to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they need to learn – saving them time and money.