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Liberty announces seven students in Grow Your Own teacher cohort for 2025–26
Summary
The board recognized seven high school graduates selected for the district’s Grow Your Own Teachers cohort; the recipients and the colleges and areas of study were announced during the human resources report.
The Liberty Public Schools Board of Education heard a presentation introducing seven students selected for the district’s 2025–26 Grow Your Own Teachers (GYOT) cohort.
Doctor Marriott introduced the recipients and invited Doctor Copeland to present their names, college placements and intended areas of study. “This year, we have seven future college students who comprise our GYOT 25, 26 cohort,” Doctor Copeland said as the students stood at the front of the meeting room.
The recipients and their colleges and study areas, as presented to the board, are: Addison Birkenholt — Northwest Missouri State, elementary education; Lillian Bridal — University of Central Missouri, secondary math education; Catalina Eddy — Truman State, elementary education; Lydia Pierce — Kansas State University, elementary education; Madison Lowe — Maple Woods Community College, elementary education (not present at meeting); Jasmine Mesa — Maple Woods Community College, elementary education; and Samira Shaw — Lincoln University, instrumental music education.
Marriott said several prior GYOT recipients are already working in the district as teachers, and Copeland noted that five of the new cohort had participated in the district’s Educational Internship Program during their senior year. “They had a lot of good experience already in our Liberty classrooms,” Copeland said.
Board members congratulated the students in the room and welcomed the program’s continuation as a recruitment strategy to address teacher shortages.
The board received the report; no formal action was required.
