Collaborative Grow Your Own Partnerships to Address Persistent Teacher Shortages and Remove Barriers to Becoming a Special Educator

Abstract

This article provides an overview of two innovative “Grow your Own” (GYO) pathways to teacher preparation. These pathways include authentic partnerships between an institute of higher education (IHE) and school districts, who actively plan and work together to recruit, prepare, and retain special educators. These pathways specifically focus on addressing teacher shortages, increasing the diversity of the educator workforce, and preparing educators through a social justice lens. The IHE and school district collaboration remove siloed practices to reach potential candidates who have a passion for teaching and social justice but who have previously lacked a pathway to enter the profession.