Quality and diversity in the educator workforce matters! Washington has a unique opportunity to make an increased investment in the quality and diversity of its educator workforce and serve as a national leader in creating and promoting multiple opportunities for becoming an educator. Through careful investment in educator recruitment and mentoring at both the secondary and postsecondary level, we can collectively address shortages while at the same time increase teacher diversity in the profession.
Grow Your Own Educators
Washington students and educators will benefit from cultivating and growing future educators from within existing communities, particularly bilingual communities and communities of color. Investing $5.5 million a year in a Grow Your Own (GYO) grant program will support school districts in developing staff from within their local communities to address hard to fill positions. A GYO grant program would support community based efforts in recruiting, developing, placing, and retaining highly qualified & diverse teachers. Supports include staffing resources at both the district and post secondary level, ensuring a durable transition for successful candidates in pursuing a certificate. GYO programs move our state forward in terms of educational equity, and improve academic outcomes for all students. By identifying early individuals interested in education, making durable connections between high school and postsecondary coursework and institutions, and tracking the progress of students in a Grow Your Own program, Washington will address the current and persistent educator shortages and lack of diversity in the educator workforce. Further, a durable and accessible pathway to becoming an educator that bridges high school and postsecondary experiences will benefit all students interested in becoming an educator. Read more
