Grow Your Own graduate describes pathway that led to a Frederick County classroom

At the personnel committee meeting March 9, teacher Lisa Wilfong described how the Grow Your Own program and active school‑level support moved her from preschool provider to a full‑time third‑grade teacher in Frederick County.

"I never learned how to learn," Wilfong said of her earlier education and then described returning to school through community pathways and practicum placements that she called "the Cadillac of an experience." Wilfong graduated in 2024 as one of the first cohort members and said principal support — scheduled practicum time, placements across grades and a JMU practicum supervisor — was decisive in her success.

Wilfong said the program allowed her to keep her instructional assistant position while completing student‑teaching requirements and that the hands‑on school placements accelerated her readiness for the classroom. "I felt so prepared," she said. She also urged the district to continue funding and promoting the pathway to reach career changers and adults who might not otherwise see teaching as possible.

Staff told the committee that pathways are offered for candidates with no post‑secondary education, with associate degrees, and for career switchers; the JMU/Laurel Ridge slots typically serve five to six participants per year. For the current cycle staff said there is one open JMU slot and four (maybe five) Laurel Ridge slots. The committee also heard an update on a Future Educators Academy for high‑school juniors and seniors that expands the talent pipeline: the first cohort had 12 students and staff said 30 students will enter next year after an approved expansion.

Board members praised Wilfong’s testimony and discussed ways to amplify participant stories in recruitment and mentoring.