Glynn County graduates first cohort from Grow Your Own teacher pipeline with College of Coastal Georgia
Loading...
Summary
Glynn County Schools and the College of Coastal Georgia celebrated the first graduating cohort from a district-supported ‘Grow Your Own’ program that transitions paraprofessionals into certified elementary and special education teachers; district leaders and graduating paraprofessionals praised the partnership.
School board members and district staff marked graduation of the first cohort from the district’s partnership with the College of Coastal Georgia that helps paraprofessionals earn teaching degrees and certifications.
Superintendent-level remarks and program staff described the initiative as a local "Grow Your Own" pathway to address teacher shortages by enabling employees already working in classrooms to earn a Bachelor of Science in education with dual majors and certifications in elementary and special education (pre‑K–5). Dr. Amy Snead of the College of Coastal Georgia told the board the cohort began after planning in 2022 and said the program provides financial and community support to candidates who continue working while studying.
Paraprofessionals who completed the program spoke to the board. Drew Logue (transcript: "Drew Loke"/"Drew Logue"), a paraprofessional at Saint Thomas Elementary, said the program "changed my family" and that "the financial [support] helped me push through." Cheryl Douglas, a paraprofessional at Saint Simons Elementary with 35 years in the district, said the program "built confidence" and expressed gratitude to the board and community for the opportunity.
District leaders listed graduates by name during the meeting: Greta Hall, Ryan Knight, Peyton O'Neil, Lashonda Carroll Harris, Alma McCoy, Carly Lawson, Daniella Pedrozo, Cheryl Douglas, Drew Logue, Bridal Loving and Francine Price. Staff said many of the graduates were present at the meeting and that the first cohort will formally graduate the following night.
District and college representatives credited the program’s success to financial support from the district, strong mentoring at the school level, and partnership logistics that allowed paraprofessionals to continue working while earning degrees. School leaders said the program has helped reduce teacher vacancies and produced new first‑year teachers who are already experienced classroom practitioners.
The district said it is expanding the pathway to other districts and that staff will continue to support future cohorts; no formal board action was associated with the graduation event recorded in the transcript.
