Clay County Schools gets $5,000 from Workforce Connections

By Ellie Buckner

www.ucwork.org

CELINA-Funds available to help cultivate the next generation of educators by providing hands-on teaching experience while apprentices work toward earning their degrees are being put to good use here locally.

As a part of $17,500 award by Workforce Connections to support the Grow Your Own teacher apprenticeship programs in Clay and Overton Counties, these funds are helping cultivate the next generation of educators by providing hands-on teaching experience while apprentices work toward earning their degrees.

In Clay County, a $5,000 donation will support two teaching apprentices as they gain full-time classroom experience. The check was presented to Clay County Schools staff and current teaching apprentice Riley Edwards during a special recognition event earlier this year.

“The Grow Your Own initiative allows aspiring teachers to gain full-time classroom experience while simultaneously earning their degree,” said Miller. “Programs like this are critical in developing a sustainable pipeline of qualified educators. We’re proud to invest in future teachers who are committed to making a difference in our schools and communities.”

Misty Strong, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for Clay County Schools, highlighted the program’s meaningful local impact.

 “Clay County Schools is blessed to be able to participate in the Grow Your Own program and serve as a stepping stone for apprentices to gain real-world experience with students at the school level,” Strong said.  “This program has empowered some of our starters to become finishers and make a true investment in our schools and community.”

Also in Overton County, the school system received $12,500 to support its efforts in developing qualified, homegrown educators.

The check was formally presented by Jeremiah Miller, Assistant Director of Workforce Connections, to Overton County Schools leadership.

The funding will support multiple teaching apprentices during the current fiscal year, contributing to a long-term strategy to address teacher shortages through real-world training and mentorship.

For more about Workforce Connections, visit www.ucwork.org/news/growyourownprograms.