The purpose of the Spring ISD Grow Your Own (“GYO”) Program Competitive Request for Proposals is to competitively select EPP partners who will work with Spring ISD to create high-quality pathways by which aspiring educators who currently hold an associate’s degree (or equivalent 60+ credits) can become teachers for free while getting paid to do so. These aspiring educators may be current paraprofessionals, as well as non-certified employees, substitute teachers, Spring ISD Central Office Staff, and Spring ISD community members who have shown both an interest in teaching and a commitment to students. As part of a Spring ISD GYO program, selected participants will be able to earn their bachelor’s degree, certification, and eligibility to teach in Texas, while being employed fulltime by Spring ISD in a paraprofessional role under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Spring ISD will ensure that candidates will not serve as the teacher-of-record in a clinical practice setting prior to their completion of the preparation program.
