'Grow Your Own' Teacher Program First For Bucks Co.

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA —The Pennsbury School District has launched its "Grow Our Own" Teacher Program, an innovative initiative designed to combat the nationwide teacher shortage by investing in and nurturing support staff already working within the district.

The program will enrich Pennsbury students' educational experience and assist the district in recruiting, developing, and retaining highly qualified teaching staff, school officials said.

After obtaining approval from the Pennsbury School District Board of Directors at its April 18
meeting, the district partnered with BloomBoard to launch the program.

A "signing day" was held on June 10 at the Pennsbury Administration Building in Fallsington to celebrate the selected participants and mark the beginning of this transformative
initiative.

The inaugural "class"—Kimberly Caruso, Katie Long, Amber McCool, and Vanessa Stack—has
collectively spent the last 15 years working as paraprofessionals in Pennsbury.

During the program, the four women will work at Edgewood Elementary School and Charles Boehm Middle School under the guidance of principals Stephanie Hultquist and Travis Bloom.

Cherrisa Gibson, the district's director of human resources, introduced Caruso, Long, McCool, and Stack, highlighting their strengths, which make them ideal candidates for the new program.

The Inaugural Class

“Kimberly Caruso prioritizes fostering academic success, inclusivity, and diversity. She
advocates for equity and accessibility, drawing from her lifelong passion for guiding others,
especially nurtured during her experiences in early childhood education and daycare," Gibson said.

"Katie Long has a genuine passion for seeing her students succeed. She exhibits remarkable dedication to her students and the programs she supports. Katie's student-centered approach ensures that all students receive the attention and support they need to thrive," Gibson said.

"Amber McCool discovered her passion for teaching in high school. She has worked with both middle and elementary students, finding fulfillment in witnessing their growth and learning. Inspired by the teachers at Pennsbury, Amber aims to help students excel academically and build their self-worth, preparing them for future success," Gibson said.

"Vanessa Stack is dedicated to helping children learn and inspiring them to embrace a love for learning. She provides flexible support to highly specialized learners and is known for her advocacy for the neediest students," Gibson said. "Vanessa demonstrates remarkable patience and
commitment in her role, readily assisting both students and staff as needed.”

Pennsbury’s “Grow Our Own” teacher program offers two distinct pathways. The program aims to provide robust support to those chosen, ensuring their success and readiness to enter the classroom as qualified teachers.

Pathway 1: Teacher Apprenticeship Program

The Pennsbury School District Teacher Apprenticeship Program offers eligible district support
staff who hold an associate's degree the opportunity to obtain a bachelor's degree in education
through a tuition subsidy provided by the district.

The Teacher Apprenticeship Program provides job-embedded coursework, coaching, and classroom experience to enable aspiring educators to complete the credit hours necessary to earn a fully accredited Bachelor’s Degree and Pennsylvania Teacher Certification in Special Education.

This pathway ensures that eligible employees can further their education and step into teaching roles without the financial burden often accompanying degree completion.

Pathway 2: Teacher Preparation Tuition Reimbursement Incentive

The Teacher Preparation Tuition Reimbursement Incentive allows support staff professionals
with bachelor's degrees to pursue a Pennsylvania teacher certification.

The pathway includes tuition reimbursement incentives for current Pennsbury employees, making it financially feasible for staff to achieve certification.

"Investing in the local talent already within Pennsbury is crucial in addressing the teacher
shortage. Our support staff professionals are dedicated and passionate about education and the
students of Pennsbury, and this program provides them with the opportunity to grow within our
district while also serving our students,” Gibson said.

The first of its kind in Bucks County, Pennsbury’s "Grow Our Own" Teacher Program provides
job-embedded coursework, coaching, and classroom experience to enable aspiring educators to
complete the credit hours necessary to earn a fully accredited Bachelor’s Degree and
Pennsylvania Teacher Certification in Special Education.

About Pennsbury School District

Pennsbury School District is comprised of four municipalities located in the southeastern corner
of Bucks County: Yardley Borough, Lower Makefield Township, Falls Township, and Tullytown Borough.

With an enrollment of about 9,686 students, Pennsbury School District currently has 10 elementary schools (K-5), three middle schools (6-8), and one high school with two campus buildings. The ethnic composition of enrollment is as follows: American Indian: 0.74 percent; Asian: 7.76 percent; Black or African American: 7.60 percent; Hispanic or Latino: 3.86 percent; Multi-Racial: 4.35 percent; Pacific Islander: .14 percent, and White 75.55 percent.

About BloomBoard

BloomBoard is a talent development provider that enables K-12 school districts to grow, advance,
and retain educators by making professional education a benefit of employment. It offers turn-key programs for school districts to move educators forward at all points of their professional journey.

The platform connects districts to higher education institutions that offer certification and degree programs using a unique, on-the-job instructional model. It helps to assess needs, build and implement plans, and celebrate educator success. Visit www.bloomboard.com to learn more.