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District highlights $500,000 Grow Your Own grants and scholarships for aspiring teachers
Summary
District staff described a recurring Grow Your Own grant (2025) that provides about $500,000 to support aspiring teacher scholarships and includes a goal that scholarship recipients return to teach in Shakopee when possible.
Shakopee Public School District staff briefed the board on an ongoing "Grow Your Own" teacher scholarship program funded by a recurring grant; presenters said the district received $500,000 in 2025 to support aspiring-teacher pathways and scholarships.
Assistant Director of LTE Sarah Wareberg presented item 3.2 and described the district—s multiple-year participation in the Grow Your Own grant program and its use to underwrite travel and registration costs for national competitions and to fund scholarships for students pursuing teacher pathways. Wareberg said the 2025 award of $500,000 has been used to create scholarship opportunities and that the goal is for the students who receive the scholarships to return to Shakopee to teach, when possible.
Staff noted three of five students going to an FCCLA national competition are Grow Your Own scholarship recipients, and that the grant has helped cover travel and registration costs that otherwise would be a significant out-of-pocket expense for students. The board thanked community donors and staff involved in administering scholarships and in supporting student participation in career pathways that lead to teacher recruitment.
The presentation included a photo of recent scholarship recipients and staff; trustees did not take formal action on the item, which was provided for information and recognition.
