National Center for Grow Your Own

The National Center for Grow Your Own (NCGYO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in New York City. As a small organization with five employees, NCGYO focuses its efforts on providing crucial support to state and local education agencies across the United States. They work closely with these agencies, as well as educator preparation providers, to establish and expand "Grow Your Own" (GYO) programs and registered apprenticeship initiatives in teaching. NCGYO's mission revolves around addressing teacher shortages and fostering sustainable pipelines for future educators. They believe GYO and registered apprenticeships offer a unique solution by removing financial barriers for aspiring teachers, leading to higher retention rates, and promoting greater diversity within the teaching profession. This approach aims to develop a more robust and inclusive educational workforce. The foundation for the "Grow Your Own" concept originated in Tennessee, where NCGYO's founder, previously serving as the Chief of Human Capital for the Tennessee Department of Education, pioneered the initiative. His expertise and leadership extended to securing recognition from the U.S. Department of Labor, officially declaring the occupation of a K-12 teacher eligible for apprenticeship. For further information about NCGYO and their programs, please visit their website at ncgyo.org.