During a recent government meeting, officials provided an update on the Rockford Public Schools' \"Grow Your Own\" program, which aims to cultivate local talent for teaching positions through partnerships with three universities. The program has received approximately $8 million in grant funding from the Michigan Department of Education, enabling the district to support both current staff and community members aspiring to become educators.

Dr. Corey Wilson Crawford and Lisa Jacobs highlighted the program's structure, which includes collaborations with Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University (MSU), and Ferris State University. These partnerships facilitate dual enrollment opportunities for high school students interested in education, as well as pathways for current support staff to earn teaching certifications and degrees.

The initiative has already seen success, with multiple cohorts in progress. The first cohort from MSU, which began in January 2024, is on track to graduate by May 2025, while some participants may finish as early as December. Ferris State's program is similarly structured, with support staff actively engaged in earning their degrees and certifications.

Key elements of the program include strong community-based recruitment, wraparound support for participants, and structured pathways to ensure that candidates gain the necessary skills and credentials. The district has also implemented a success coach system, where administrators mentor participants, helping them navigate their educational journeys.

The meeting underscored the program's positive impact on recruitment and retention within the district, with one participant already securing a teaching position. Officials expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing success stories emerging from the Grow Your Own initiative, emphasizing its role in addressing staffing challenges and fostering a sustainable pipeline of educators from within the community.