“Grow Your Own” program welcomes new future educators

Celebrating New Educators in Bowling Green

A new cohort of future teachers is stepping forward through local “Grow Your Own” pathways supported by Western Kentucky University and area school districts, according to WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. The initiative is designed to welcome district employees and community members who want to earn teaching credentials while staying rooted in Bowling Green.

District and university leaders say the latest group will be working in classrooms across Bowling Green Independent Schools and Warren County Public Schools as they take courses at WKU, according to the university and both districts. The welcome marks another step in a years-long push to home-grow local educators for South-Central Kentucky schools.

Quick details (check ahead):

• Where: WKU’s campus and partner school sites, according to WKU and the districts
• When: Cohorts begin during the academic year; confirm dates with program coordinators
• Cost: Varies by route; tuition assistance and paid apprenticeship options may be available through district and state programs, according to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE)

Filling Local Educational Gaps

School leaders across Kentucky have flagged ongoing teacher vacancies and hard-to-fill roles, according to the Kentucky Department of Education. Locally, business and civic partners have prioritized talent pipelines in education as part of broader workforce goals, according to the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Grow Your Own” pathways focus on people already serving students—substitutes, classroom assistants, and other school staff—so they can earn certification without leaving the community, according to WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. The approach aims to stabilize classrooms and keep experienced adults in front of kids who know them, the districts and WKU say.

From Paraprofessionals to Certified Teachers

The typical path moves a paraprofessional into a paid, mentored role while they complete coursework and state requirements, according to KDE’s guidance on teacher apprenticeship and alternative certification. Candidates remain employed in local schools and work closely with mentor teachers, which can shorten the learning curve once they’re fully certified, the districts say.

WKU’s teacher-preparation advisors outline flexible scheduling, school-based coaching, and required clinical experiences that line up with daily work in classrooms, according to the college. Participants earn credits toward initial certification while drawing on the relationships and practical skills they’ve already built with Bowling Green students and families, the university notes.

The Broader Educational Impact

Locally trained teachers are more likely to stay and advance in their home districts, which helps with continuity for students and families, according to WKU and district workforce materials. Leaders also say “Grow Your Own” cohorts can widen the pipeline for bilingual educators and teachers of color by lowering financial and logistical barriers for community members already serving students, according to the districts.

Districts elsewhere report similar benefits. The School District of Palm Beach County describes how its paraprofessional-to-teacher efforts pair paid roles with certification support to boost retention and diversify the profession, according to the district’s program materials. Those outcomes mirror what Bowling Green partners hope to sustain here.

How the Community Can Engage

If you’re thinking about teaching, start with an advising conversation and a district HR overview. WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences lists contact information and program pathways on its site, and both Bowling Green Independent Schools and Warren County Public Schools post current employment needs and “Grow Your Own”-style opportunities, according to the university and district websites. For dates on info sessions or application windows, check WKU’s calendar and each district’s announcements.

You don’t have to be a candidate to help. Certified teachers can ask their principals about mentorship roles for apprenticeship candidates, and local employers or civic groups can connect with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce about supporting educator pipelines, according to the districts and the Chamber. Before you go, confirm eligibility, deadlines, and any tuition assistance that may apply to your situation.

Helpful links:

• WKU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences — program pathways and advising (according to WKU): wku.edu/cebs
• Bowling Green Independent Schools — HR and openings (according to the district): b-gschools.org
• Warren County Public Schools — HR and openings (according to the district): warrencountyschools.org
• Kentucky Department of Education — teacher workforce and apprenticeship information (according to KDE): education.ky.gov
• Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce — talent pipeline initiatives (according to the Chamber): bgchamber.com

Continued Commitment and Future Goals

Local partners say the goal is steady, predictable cohorts that match school needs in areas like elementary education, special education, and math, according to WKU and district materials. Funding and scale are expected to track with state apprenticeship support and district budgets, according to KDE and the districts.

City and county stakeholders have emphasized educator pipelines as part of Bowling Green’s broader workforce strategy, which could open doors for future collaborations, according to the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. Program leaders plan to share updates on cohort sizes, subject areas, and application timelines as the academic year progresses, the university and districts say.

What to Watch

• WKU and district calendars typically publish cohort and info-session dates ahead of each semester; watch those pages for the next application window, according to the university and districts.
• KDE may release updates on teacher apprenticeship guidance and funding that could expand local slots, according to the department.
• We’ll post specific session times and locations once partners confirm details; check ahead with WKU, BGISD, and WCPS for the latest.