Grow Your Own: Pathway to Teaching

In October 2020, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) announced the award of $2 million in grant funding to seven Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) in Tennessee for the purpose of forming or expanding state recognized Grow Your Own partnerships to increase access and remove barriers to the teaching profession. 

The Grow Your Own (GYO) competitive grant supports partnerships between EPPs and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide innovative, no-cost pathways to the teaching profession by increasing EPP enrollment and growing the supply of qualified teachers. 

With these awards, Tennessee State University was able to establish additional Grow Your Own partnerships in 37 districts, enabling 250+  individuals to enroll in our completely online, fast track, teacher preparation program that costs them very little and provides unique residency experiences.

 

 

GYO Pathway 1:  SPED Additional Endorsement 

Pathway 1 allows for certified teachers in one of TSU partner districts to complete coursework for the Interventionist K-8 endorsement. Candidates complete 18 hours of coursework that prepares them to effectively teach students who display mild and moderate disabilities. Candidates participate in Praxis bootcamps that prepare them to successfully complete the required Praxis examinations.

GYO Pathway 2: M.Ed. Interventionist K-8 with ESL Endorsement

Pathway 2 is designed for paraprofessionals who:

• are employed in one of TSU partner school districts;
• have earned a bachelor’s degree; and
• desire to teach students who have special needs and/or are English learners.

This fast-tracked 45-credit hour pathway consists of coursework and field experiences that prepare candidates to effectively teach students who display mild and moderate disabilities and students who are emergent bilinguals. Candidates complete all field experiences in the districts where they are employed and are provided edTPA support and participate in SPED and ESL Praxis bootcamps that prepare them to successfully complete the required Praxis examinations.

Applications Portal will Open January 2023 for Summer 2023 Enrollment

GYO Pathway 3: TN Residency Program with Metro Nashville Public Schools

Pathway 3 is designed specifically for paraprofessionals:

• who have earned a bachelor’s degree;
• are employed by Metro Nashville Public Schools; and
• desire to teach students who have special needs and/or are English learners.

This fast-tracked 45-credit hour pathway consists of coursework and field experiences that prepare candidates to effectively teach students who display mild and moderate disabilities and students who are emergent bilinguals. Candidates complete all field experiences in the districts where they are employed and are provided edTPA support and participate in SPED and ESL Praxis bootcamps that prepare them to successfully complete the required Praxis examinations.

GYO Pathway 4: TEACH Grant

Pathway 4 is designed for working candidates who:

• have earned a bachelor’s degree
• desire a fast-track pathway to the M.Ed. C&I (Interventionist K-8) with ESL Endorsement.

Candidates on this pathway are provided the benefits of pathways 2 and 3 but will utilize the TEACH Grant and traditional types of financial assistance to fund their matriculation through program. 

 

GYO Pathway 5: English Language Arts (6-12) certification with ESL Endorsement

Pathway 5 is designed specifically for paraprofessionals:

• who have earned a bachelor’s degree in English or English Education;
• are employed by one of TSU’s partner school districts; and
• desire to teach students secondary English and ESL.

This pathway consists of English course work as necessary and ESL coursework and field experiences that prepare candidates to effectively teach secondary English and ESL. Candidates complete all field experiences in the districts where they are employed and are provided edTPA and Praxis support.

 

For more information on GYO Pathways 1-5, contact Dr. Kisha Bryan at kbryan@tnstate.edu or 615-963-5466.

   

GYO Pathway 6: Math (6-12) certification with ESL Endorsement  

For more information on GYO Pathways 5, contact Dr. Twainie Roberts at trober25@tnstate.edu or 615-963-5465.

   

GYO Pathway 7: STEM (6-12) certification with ESL Endorsement

For more information on GYO Pathways 5, contact Dr. Urleaka Newsome at trober25@tnstate.edu or 615-963-5465.