Grow Your Own Osseo

Grow Your Own Osseo (GYOO) Pathways Program offers various pathways for non-licensed staff and students to become licensed teachers with Osseo Area Schools. GYOO is to recruit and retain a diverse talent pool of educators in order to meet the needs of our growing and diverse student body. 

GYOO Adults, Special Education and Secondary Students Pathways are funded through the Minnesota’s Department of Education (MDE) Grow Your Own grants for five years.

GYOO Pathways Program includes:

• Adults Pathway: The district has been awarded the MDE Grow Your Own Adults Pathway grant to support employees who earn their degrees and teaching licensures. The grant is meant to diversify the educators in the classroom. Employees who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply. This pathway program provides scholarships/stipends, professional development, mentorship, and summer work experience. 
• Special Education Pathway: The district has been awarded the MDE Special Education Teacher Pipeline grant to support employees to earn their degrees and teaching licensures in Special Education. The grant supports teachers with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 license, Education Support Professionals or other unlicensed staff, and Tier 3 or Tier 4  staff who demonstrate a willingness to be a special education teacher after completing the program.  Employees who hold Tier 1 or 2 Special Education licensed are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Student Teaching/Similar Field Experience (MOU) Pathway: Available to all non-licensed employees under contracts with the Student Teaching Practicum or Similar Field Experience Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Employees who participate under this MOU can be paid at their current pay rates while completing their student teaching/field experience with Osseo Area Schools.
• Secondary Students Pathway: The district has been awarded the MDE Grow Your Own Secondary Student Pathway grant to support programs that will increase and diversify the teacher workforce in the state of Minnesota. This pathway program provides concurrent college credits, paid summer internships, professional development and mentorships. 

To learn more, schedule a virtual meeting or call with the Recruitment and Retention team or email HR@district279.org.

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