Osseo highlights 'Grow Your Own' pipeline program as part of workforce strategy

Osseo Public School District staff briefed the board on a year‑three 'Grow Your Own' teacher pipeline supported by a five‑year grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, describing scholarship, stipend and student pathways intended to recruit and retain local, diverse educators.

Nelcea (program lead) (as introduced in the presentation) said the program includes three pathways — adult, special‑education and secondary/student — and offers either scholarships (paid to institutions) or taxable stipends to remove barriers such as childcare and transportation. "This is a partnership with the Department of Minnesota Department of Education," the presenter said, describing financial and professional supports and local internships designed to increase representation among licensed educators.

Program staff said year three includes roughly 24 participants (about 12 in each pathway) with most indicating plans to continue toward licensure; program leaders noted that 22 participants remain with the district and two have left. Participants and district site supervisors gave firsthand accounts: Maimun Shavinda (resource teacher) described personal barriers as an immigrant and said the program helped her obtain licensure coursework and classroom experience; George Robertson (community education site supervisor) said the pathway provides a meaningful route for staff already connected to students and families to become licensed teachers.

Board members praised the program and asked for continued updates; staff said some participants are expected to graduate this fall and that the program’s early retention indicators are promising but that full outcomes will be clearer after the first cohorts complete licensure. The board did not take formal action during the work session.