Examining Lessons Learned During the First Year of a Grow Your Own Teacher Preparation Program
Citation (APA 7th): Myers, J., Massaro, V., Pollard, M., Shifflett, K., Killough, L., & Miller, M. (2024). Examining lessons learned during the first year of a Grow Your Own teacher preparation program. The Teacher Educators’ Journal, 17, 4–24. https://doi.org/10.66196/NYST2584
Joy Myers
James Madison University
Virginia Massaro
Brightpoint Community College
Meredith Pollard
James Madison University
Katie Shifflett
James Madison University
Lori Killough
Laurel Ridge Community College
Mark Miller
Blue Ridge Community College
Abstract
This paper outlines how four community colleges, and a large public university, collaborated to support over 80 paraprofessionals who sought to finish their bachelor’s degree and earn licensure. Funding from a statewide “Grow Your Own” initiative allowed the teacher educators at the community colleges and university to put in place structures to support non-traditional students, and each other, during the first year of this program. Lessons learned and next steps are highlighted.
