SJSD grows future teachers through ‘Grow Your Own’ program
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- The St. Joseph School District's “Grow Your Own Program” is designed for high school seniors interested in teaching and professional development.
The program provides students with a pathway to become certified teachers after completing college.
Justin McCarthy, principal at Hosea Elementary, said he has stayed in contact with former students who expressed interest in returning to the district and showed a passion for education.
McCarthy emphasized the strong impact the program has on the community because many participants realize it is more than just a job.
Instead, the program fosters a sense of purpose and encourages former SJSD students to give back to the community where they grew up.
“They’re doing good work, and I think there’s a big importance of getting people back to where they started so they can maybe try to fix some of the shortcomings in their educational journey,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy said everyone faces barriers, but the key is being able to relate to students and help them reach their full potential despite the challenges they may encounter.
McCarthy compared the program to Mosaic’s former “Stepping Stone” program, in which participants took classes while working in exchange for committing to work for the organization for several years.
“When I was an assistant in the middle school level, I just kept in touch with them, and I have been able to have some students come back," McCarthy said. "I think it's important to recognize those students and help them through their degree."
Mariana Sanchez, a teacher at Hosea Elementary School, followed a familiar path in choosing her career.
“All my teachers always told me I was going to be a teacher because I was a teacher’s pet, but I was always just like, 'No, I am not going to go down that road',” Sanchez said.
Eventually, she realized teaching was the right choice. It gave her the security of a guaranteed position after college and allowed her to dedicate four years to the district.
Sanchez said returning to a school she attended as a child helped her build strong connections and form new relationships.
“Justin was my principal over at Spring Garden, and he always knew that I was going to come back to Hosea, so it was nice to already have those connections and know what I was going to do,” Sanchez said.
Now, after two years at Hosea, Sanchez said her favorite part of teaching is witnessing the unique personalities of her third graders, which she loves the most.
