In a significant step toward addressing the ongoing teacher shortage in rural and middle Georgia, the Baldwin County School District (BCSD) has officially launched its 'Grow Your Own' Teacher Program.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with prominent post-secondary institutions in the Middle Georgia region, aims to create a sustainable and replicable model for building a robust teacher pipeline.
On Jan. 31, Georgia College & State University and Central Georgia Technical College will come together for a signing ceremony with the Baldwin County School District at the Baldwin High School Fine Arts Center. Their collaboration underscores the dedication of local post-secondary institutions to actively contribute to the success of the “Grow Your Own” program.
Earlier in January, Superintendent Dr. Noris Price and Baldwin High School Principal Jason Flanders joined the President of Middle Georgia State University Dr. Christopher Blake in a signing ceremony on Jan.18, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the innovative program.
The program's key features include early exposure to the teaching profession for potential middle and high school students through a prescribed Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathway. Students enrolled in CTAE Teaching as a profession pathway will get hands-on teaching experiences, as well as the opportunity to have paid work-based learning in a Baldwin County school.
The program enables students to graduate from high school with an associate's degree or college credits from partner institutions in the Middle Georgia region. They will then seamlessly transfer to a partner institution to complete their undergraduate degree in education.
Candidates who successfully meet Professional Standards Commission (PSC) requirements (including a background check and passing a GACE ethics test) are eligible for interview in the Baldwin County School District.
Pending approvals from all parties, the Baldwin 'Grow Your Own' Teaching as a Profession Pathway is set to be implemented in the 2023-24 school year, marking a crucial step forward in addressing the critical teacher shortage in rural Georgia.
The Baldwin County School District has also been awarded a $9,000 GaDOE Cultivating Teachers Grant, providing essential funds for teacher professional learning and recruitment. These funds will support pathway expansion and offer crucial professional learning opportunities for educators involved in the Teaching as a Profession Pathway.
The GaDOE Cultivating Teachers Grant is a testament to the dedication of the Baldwin County School District to providing quality education for all students and addressing the challenges posed by the current teacher shortage.
The grant will be pivotal in enhancing teacher professional development and recruitment efforts.
-Contributed by Eric Jones, School & Community Relations Coordinator