ST. LOUIS — Several St. Louis-area school districts received first-ever state funding for their programs to increase the recruitment of teachers as the region has been experiencing a shortage.

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) awarded one-time $10,000 to 125 local education agencies (LEAs) in Missouri to create or strengthen their local “Grow Your Own” program

  • “Grow Your Own programs work to attract local students, as well as non-certified school staff, such as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers, to the teaching profession,” the press release states.

  • “Many programs also support those future teachers through their post-secondary education and path to certification. Funding is used to support a variety of activities, including dual credit courses, scholarships for high school students, student internships and opportunities for other non-teaching adults to pursue programs that will allow them to become certified teachers.”

  • “Grow Your Own” grants also were awarded to 15 educator preparation programs, including St. Louis University, University of Missouri—St. Louis and East Central College.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) awarded one-time $10,000 to 125 local education agencies (LEAs) in Missouri to create or strengthen their local “Grow Your Own” program, according to an online press release.

“Grow Your Own programs work to attract local students, as well as non-certified school staff, such as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers, to the teaching profession,” the press release states.

“Many programs also support those future teachers through their post-secondary education and path to certification. Funding is used to support a variety of activities, including dual credit courses, scholarships for high school students, student internships and opportunities for other non-teaching adults to pursue programs that will allow them to become certified teachers.”

Some area school district grant recipients include Mehlville, Rockwood, Northwest and Webster Groves. 

Mehlville School District will use part of the grant to offer $1,000 scholarships to 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 graduates who are pursuing a degree in education, according to John DeWalle, director of college and career readiness. 

Applications for the scholarships will be available on the district’s website later this fall.

The remaining funds will go toward the district’s “Grow Your Own” speaker series, where current teachers will discuss the benefits of the education field. 

Rockwood School District will use part of the $10,000 to start teacher clubs at the high schools, whether it be a “Educators Rising” chapter or a “Future Teachers of America” chapter, according to Kelly Sollberger, director of Human Resources. 

Some of the money also will be used to improve the district's cadet teaching program, a class for students interested in the teaching profession, to provide more resources, activities, speakers and more.

Northwest School District’s “Grow Your Own” program began during the 2022-23 academic year that includes a Future Teachers Club and a Future Teachers course. 

The course is offered for high school elective credit or dual high school and college credit through Jefferson College to students who intend to pursue careers in education, according to Chuck McPherson, communications coordinator.  

“We are truly grateful for the privilege of being awarded this grant, which will not only provide our students with a valuable advantage as they pursue careers in education, but also empower them to return to our community and the Northwest district to continue to inspire future generations of Lions,” said Amy Martin, instructional coordinator and head of the program. 

Grant funds will be used to start an “Educators Rising” chapter at Northwest, scholarships for graduating seniors, and will go toward stipend and substitute fees for field trips, field trip fees for students, transportation and snacks for the field trips.

Webster Groves School District is using the grant to enhance its Teaching and Learning Cohort program at Webster Groves High School, according to Jason Adams, assistant superintendent for learning. 

In the program, students who are interested in becoming teachers intern at the elementary and middle schools where they observe the teachers and interact with students. 

“We have also created a pathway for interested students to receive dual credit for the course through the education department at Webster University,” Adams said.

“We are very much using these funds to help our students who are interested in a career in education pursue their career options and are thankful for the opportunity from DESE.”

The following is a list of St. Louis-area grant recipients:

  • Hazelwood School District
  • Maplewood Richmond Heights School District
  • Mehlville School District
  • Jennings School District
  • New Haven School District
  • Hancock Place School District
  • City Garden Montessori
  • Northwest School District
  • Rockwood School District
  • Ritenour School District
  • Wright City School District
  • Webster Groves School District

“Teachers remain the number one school-level factor that can impact student achievement,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven.

“We appreciate the General Assembly recognizing the urgent need to address the educator workforce shortage here in Missouri, and how important Grow Your Own programs are in solving this issue.

“Grow Your Own” grants also were awarded to 15 educator preparation programs, including St. Louis University, University of Missouri—St. Louis and East Central College.

For information about the grants and to view the full list of recipients, click here.