District proposes 'Grow Your Own' program with Moreland University to certify instructional assistants

District administrators presented a proposal to partner with Moreland University to offer a nine‑month online 'Grow Your Own' teacher‑preparation pathway aimed initially at instructional assistants who hold a bachelor's degree and are pursuing special‑education certification. "It's a 9 month program for our staff... it's completely online," an administrator said, describing embedded student‑teaching and weekly Zoom sessions, an assigned advisor for each candidate, and state exam preparation supports.

The program cost to the district is $6,900 per certification and the district plans to enroll an initial cohort of about 10 participants; administrators said there will be an expectation that participants remain with the district roughly five years, and the district will require a service agreement with recoupment if participants leave early. The program is PDE‑credited, administrators said, and Moreland already works with more than 90 districts nationwide.

Board members praised the approach as a targeted response to teacher shortages—particularly in special education—and asked for details about eligibility, exam fees and the district's vetting process for applicants. Administrators said the program is intended to grow local capacity while enabling embedded student teaching so employees need not take extended leave. The agreement was presented for board action at the May 21 meeting.