Growing Our Own Teachers

Growing Our Own Teacher Program

Growing Our Own Teachers is an innovative program that supports and mentors high school students who desire to pursue a career in education. The Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) program helps to identify, recruit, and mentor those current students who, after college, may commit to PWCS classrooms as teachers and school leaders.

Check out the offerings for our aspiring educators!

Educators Rising is a career and technical student organization that assists middle and high school students in career exploration. The association is unique in its ability to offer students unparalleled, age-appropriate professional development opportunities, including annual conferences and access to a state-of-the-art social networking website. There is an active Educators Rising club in 13 PWCS high schools.

Courses

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT)

High school students who enjoy helping others learn and want to make a positive impact in their community may be interested in the Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT) courses offered at all PWCS high schools.

In this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, students build a foundation for teaching by learning the history, structure, and governance of education, applying professional teaching techniques, and reflecting on classroom experiences. VTfT students participate in Educators Rising, a career and technical student organization that develops leadership and interpersonal skills. Students also gain real-world experience through high-quality work-based learning experiences by completing an internship within PWCS schools, which provides students with multiple opportunities to observe professional practice, teach lessons, manage classrooms, and create learning opportunities.

VTfT students are patient, responsible, and good communicators who like working with people of all ages. They are curious about K-12 educator positions and enjoy planning, organizing, and sharing ideas. Students who aspire to become teachers, counselors, or other education professionals will benefit from hands-on experience and developing a professional portfolio that prepares them for college programs and future careers in education. Dual enrollment opportunities may be available.

For more information about Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow courses offered in PWCS high schools, please refer to the PWCS Course Catalog.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

High school students who enjoy working with young children (birth to 5 years old) and want to make a positive impact on their growth and development may be interested in Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses.

In this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, students learn how to plan, organize, and conduct learning experiences that promote physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development. They explore curricula responsive to children’s needs, family engagement strategies, and local, state, and federal regulations for early childhood programs. ECE students also participate in Educators Rising, a career and technical student organization that builds leadership and interpersonal skills.

ECE students are patient, caring, and creative, and they like planning activities that help children learn through play. They are interested in understanding how young children grow, think, and learn, and they enjoy creating safe, healthy, and supportive environments where kids can thrive. High school students who aspire to become preschool teachers, childcare providers, or pursue careers in early childhood education will gain strong foundational knowledge and experiences to begin building a professional portfolio that demonstrates college and career readiness. Dual enrollment opportunities may be available.

For more information about ECE courses and to determine if courses are offered at your high school, please refer to the PWCS Course Catalog.

Growing Our Own Courses

Dual Enrollment

Students enrolled in certain high school courses can choose dual enrollment with Northern Virginia Community College. Students get a head start in college by earning credit for college courses by taking corresponding high school courses. Unlike Advanced Placement classes, which require additional testing to receive college credit, students receive credit upon successful completion of the course.

Benefits of Growing Our Own in PWCS

• Improves Student Outcomes: Homegrown educators are deeply familiar with PWCS values, curriculum, and community, which positively impacts academic performance for all students.
• Enhances Teacher Diversity: Recruiting from within ensures students experience teachers who reflect the rich diversity of our schools and society.
• Builds Community Connection: Teachers who come from PWCS often have strong ties to the area, fostering long-term commitment and stability in our schools.
• Strengthens the Workforce Pipeline: Developing future educators locally creates a sustainable system that produces highly qualified graduates who become skilled professionals in education and beyond.

Explore other CTE programs.

Contact

For more information, please contact:

Sedeka Turner
Coordinator, Growing Our Own
[email protected]