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2025 Grow Your Own Teacher (GYOT) Application (Class of 2026 High School Seniors / Early Graduates Only)

United States

The Grow Your Own Teachers Award(GYOT) encourages students who want to be teachers to obtain certification in a high needs area (high school math, high school science, special education, industrial technology, speech language pathology, English Language Development). Identified areas are those which are difficult to fill in Missouri and across the nation. The program is funded by the Fort Zumwalt Education Foundation and provides selected individuals with $4,000 per semester to attend one of the participating universities, become certified in a high needs area and return to Fort Zumwalt to teach for four years. The $32,000 received over the four years is actually a forgivable loan which does not have to be paid back as long as the student completes all requirements successfully and returns to Fort Zumwalt to teach.

Eligibility requirements for high school seniors who are considering application to the program are: graduate from the district in good standing, maintain at least a minimum GPA of 3.0, maintain 95% attendance in high school, demonstrate good citizenship as defined by the A+ Schools Program, complete the GYOT application, demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, distinguish yourself from other GYOT applicants. Any unusual situations are subject to review by the GYOT committee and Foundation Board.

If the applicant is selected for the Grow Your Own Teachers Program, a GYOT candidate will sign a Statement of Commitment letter outlining the following requirements to successfully complete the program and teach for Fort Zumwalt. Requirements for the selected applicant(s) beyond high school include:

Be consecutively enrolled in at least twelve (12) credit hours per semester (fall and spring semesters) for up to eight (8) semesters total, in an undergraduate program leading to teacher certification at one of the participating colleges or universities. Financial assistance will cease upon graduation from the university.

Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 and meet the requirements of the participating university.

Actively participate in all Grow Your Own Teachers Program activities unless excused by the Grow Your Own Teachers committee.

Successfully pass the university requirements in the initial years in the program and remain in the education program at the university.

Successfully pass any exam or tests required for the area of certification, and all other requirements for Missouri teacher certification.

Sign an annual Agreement and Statement of Commitment and Intent to teach full-time, in his/her area of certification with Fort Zumwalt School District.

C omplete an undergraduate degree in teaching.

Complete student teaching in Fort Zumwalt School District.

Receive the university recommendation for teacher certification.

Receive positive recommendations from cooperating teachers, administrators and other professionals in the field.

Obtain teacher certification.

Meet all selection criteria used by the Fort Zumwalt School District for teachers.

Work full-time as a teacher for the required minimum length of time stated above, in the area of licensure, in Fort Zumwalt School District.

Meet all employment requirements (criminal background checks, references, application procedure and other requirements as outlined by the district) for Fort Zumwalt School District.