Jefferson City News

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded Grow Your Own (GYO) grants to 125 local education agencies (LEAs) for the second consecutive year. The DESE's Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes $2.5 million allocated for one-time grants of $10,000 each to help LEAs develop or enhance their local GYO programs. These initiatives aim to boost the recruitment of quality teachers across the state.

"Investing in Missouri students and their achievement means investing in our educator workforce — both the teachers serving classrooms today and those that will join the profession in the coming years," said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. "Grow Your Own programs are an important part of continuing to address the statewide teacher shortage, so we are thrilled to be able to provide a second round of funding to support this work at the local level."

GYO programs focus on attracting local students and non-certified school staff, such as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers, into teaching careers. Many programs also assist future educators through post-secondary education and certification paths. The funding supports various activities, including dual credit courses, scholarships for high school students, student internships, and opportunities for other non-teaching adults to pursue certification.

"Our Grow Your Own program demonstrates sustainability through our Spark! Teaching and Learning Program that began in 2016," Dr. Keith Marty, Superintendent at Parkway C-2 School District, wrote in the LEA’s application. "We served 58 students from 2016-2021. By the close of the 2024-25 school year, Spark! Teaching and Learning will have served 120 students since 2021. This grant will help continue to strengthen our GYO Program!"

"Students in our GYO program benefit from real-world education settings both within and outside of our school boundaries," wrote Northwest R-I School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hecktor. "This exposure helps them understand the diversity within their learning environment and prepares them for future roles in education. We are committed to promoting the field of education to our students and the broader stakeholder community."

LEAs applied through a competitive grant application process with funds needing obligation by May 31, 2025.

Additionally, funding was extended to award GYO grants to 15 educator preparation programs and five community colleges.