About the Grow Your Own Initiative
Since 2020, Oregon has invested in Grow Your Own (GYO) programs, sparking new career pathway partnerships and expansion of long-standing programs for aspiring educators in Oregon. This investment has supported thousands of individual candidates and fostered stronger collaboration between K-12 schools and postsecondary programs to strengthen educator recruitment and retention statewide. GYO grantees support current and aspiring educators across Oregon with financial assistance for postsecondary education, mentorship, career training, and pathway navigation support.
In 2025, the GYO grant program was not recommended to continue, though HB 5006 Section 203 authorized one-time funds for currently enrolled candidates to complete their programs. As a result, ODE and grantees are preparing for the sunset of the grant program in 2027. This grant cycle aims to maximize the impact of the state’s investments—both past and present—to ensure lasting improvements in educator career pathways, partnerships, and retention.
A local approach to developing the educator workforce by recruiting and supporting people from the community—such as paraprofessionals, school staff, high school students, or other local residents—to become licensed or advance in education careers.
These programs help schools fill staffing needs, strengthen retention, and build a diverse, stable educator pipeline by offering supports like mentoring, tuition assistance, and flexible training pathways.
