Preparing Community Teachers Through a Grow Your Own Program: Voices of Diverse Students and Teachers

• In Event: Engaging K–12 Students About Teachers, Teaching, and Education

Abstract

This paper explored the perspectives and experiences of students and teachers in a "grow your own" pre-educator program. The program was created out of a partnership among a university-based teacher education program, local school districts, and a non-profit organization to expose high school students from diverse backgrounds to careers in teaching, prepare them to be effective teachers, and return them to the community's public schools. Participants reported benefits associated with learning about knowledge and skills in teaching, increased awareness of diversity and equity issues related to education in their communities, and developing trusting relationships with their teachers. Study results have implications for collaborative partnerships in recruiting and preparing a diverse pool of teachers as change agents in their communities.

Authors

• Yiting Chu, University of Louisiana at Monroe

• Amy Weems, University of Louisiana at Monroe