The New Orleans Grow Your Own Collaborative
Nationwide, and specifically in New Orleans, districts are struggling to recruit and retain all the teachers they need. To address this, more and more communities are launching “Grow Your Own” (GYO) initiatives, which seek to find great teachers locally, developing young people to become educators in the very district where they’re currently in school.
About Grow Your Own
The New Orleans Grow Your Own Collaborative is helping to build a strong, sustainable pipeline of future educators by supporting high school students who aspire to become teachers. This locally rooted effort is growing, and today, nine New Orleans schools are involved:
Edna Karr, The Willow School, Morris Jeff, Booker T. Washington, John F. Kennedy, Frederick Douglass, Warren Easton, McDonogh #35, and The Rooted School.
Each school offers education coursework for their students, partners with local elementary schools where students can practice teaching in-person, and offers paid tutoring opportunities as well. In addition to this, students have the opportunity to participate in robust professional development experiences.
We hope this work can expand to more high schools soon. It’s a crucial part of ensuring we can recruit and retain the best educators for our children.
Carlos Flores, Pre- Educator instructor at John F. Kennedy high school supports four of his students as they practice a role playing scenario.
How Does a GYO Program Work?
Explore
High school juniors and seniors who express interest in education as a career take college-level courses centered on foundational skills, equity and diversity
in the field, and social-emotional learning. Students are placed in a local elementary school, working directly with students under the mentorship of
a certified teacher for a minimum of 50 hours of clinical practice to begin honing their skills and put into motion the concepts they learned in class.
Pursue
Throughout college, as they work toward their bachelor’s degree, Grow Your Own students will have the support of a College Persistence Teacher
(CPT). The CPT will engage in advisory sessions with students, help navigate barriers, and provide academic and social support. Students also return
home during summer break for opportunities to work in schools and camps, supporting students.
Launch
After earning a bachelor’s degree, Grow Your Own students are guaranteed a position within NOLA-PS schools.
One of our GYO Student Teachers working with her students.