An Analysis of Grow Your Own Programs to Attract Culturally Diverse Teachers

Abstract

Grow Your Own (GYO) programs are used in the USA at both community and school levels to foster a culturally diverse teacher force by introducing individuals to the teaching profession and supporting those who wish to pursue a teaching career. With a view to considering how recruitment of culturally diverse applicants to teacher education programs could occur in Canada, this study reviews relevant literature to identify critical features of such programs, including their flexible nature, their institutionalization, and the importance of establishing productive partnerships with other organizations. The concluding chapter reports six major insights into the effectiveness of American GYO programs and offers suggestions for developing similar programs in the Canadian context.