The Tomorrow’s Teachers: Growing Our Own program at Indiana University Kokomo is designed to identify, encourage, and prepare individuals in one’s local community who are interested in becoming an educator or educational professional. This program is based on a Grown Your Own (GYO) approach and only works through great partnerships. The IU Kokomo School of Education and local school districts work together to create a pipeline of future educators that will meet local school staffing needs and shortages.
Some of the highlighted features and advantages of this program include:
Students will be taught by School of Education faculty through a blended format that includes on-campus meetings as well as meetings in local high schools.
Students will participate in school-based field experiences. These are hands-on and intentionally sequenced in P-8 classrooms that are coordinated and supervised by district educators and integrated into IU Kokomo education courses.
Students will experience hands-on engagement activities on campus where they’ll build community and network to gain a better understanding of the profession.
The Tomorrow’s Teachers program matches students interested in education with the resources to help them launch their career earlier. This program is currently running in area high schools. Courses can be utilized for dual-credit purposes and as part of a graduation pathway.
IU Kokomo Education Courses
Four pre-professional education courses taught by IU Kokomo Education faculty through a combination of in-district, virtual, and on-campus class sessions.
One course per semester, over two years (high school junior and senior years).
School districts may utilize these for dual-credit purposes.
On-campus orientation before classes begin in the fall.
School-based Field Experiences
Structured field experiences are completed in the districts’ schools and classrooms.
Experiences are 1 part of the Education course and are coordinated with course content, standards, and assignments.
On-campus Engagement Activities
Students participate on-campus events/activities each semester.
Students are members of EdSAC (Education Student Advisory Council) and are invited to all events, meetings, and social.
Through career exploration and discovery, mentoring, extra-curricular activities, observations and experiential learning in P-12 classrooms, and Education-focused coursework, Tomorrow’s Teachers will develop knowledge and skills in the five areas below.
Understanding the Profession: Tomorrow’s Teachers will learn about the profession, explore grade levels and areas of specialty, and understand the college preparation and licensing process to inform their decision about pursuing a career as an educator.
Understanding the Learning Process and Individual Differences: Tomorrow’s Teachers will learn about the process of teaching and learning and develop an understanding of individual differences among students across various grade levels and from various backgrounds.
Developing and Sustaining Relationships: Tomorrow’s Teachers will learn communication skills and professional behaviors to interact with fellow future educators, P-12 teachers and administrators, and university faculty and staff.
Planning, Instruction, and Evaluation: Tomorrow’s Teachers will learn to engage in thoughtful planning, use effective strategies to promote learning, and assess student progress and growth.
Reflective Practice and Professional Growth: Tomorrow’s Teachers will learn to use reflection to develop an understanding of oneself as a future educator and advance professional knowledge and skills.
Sound like something your district needs?
If you’re interested in exploring a Grow Your Own partnership with the IU Kokomo School of Education, please contact the Dean, Leah Nellis, Ph.D., at 765-455-9287 or lmnellis@iu.edu.
