Photo Caption: High school students listen to instructors during the first class of Worcester Public Schools' Grow Your Own Program on Tuesday, January 20, at Worcester State University. (Kyle Prudhomme/WPS Communications)
WORCESTER — Monday, February 2, 2025 — Worcester Public Schools (WPS) has begun its first cycle of the Grow Your Own Program, a new student-to-teacher pathway designed to prepare the next generation of educators from within the Worcester community.
“This program is an investment in Worcester’s future,” said Superintendent Brian E. Allen. “By creating opportunities for our own students to pursue careers in education, we are keeping local talent in Worcester and building a strong, diverse pipeline of future teachers who understand our community and want to give back to the next generation of WPS learners.”
As part of the program, participating high school students have begun early college coursework at Worcester State University and are currently enrolled in Introduction to Teaching, a course that introduces college-level expectations while providing an initial exploration of the teaching profession.
Through the Grow Your Own Program, overseen by the WPS Division of Personnel, Equity, and Engagement, students will have opportunities to take early college education courses, build skills through hands-on classroom and enrichment experiences, and prepare to one day return to Worcester Public Schools as future educators.
The Grow Your Own Program reflects a long-term collaboration between Worcester Public Schools and Worcester State University, strengthening opportunities for students while addressing the growing need for educators in urban school districts.