The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded state-funded “Grow Your Own” grants to 125 local education agencies. The Cassville School District was among the list of grant recipients. Grow Your Own programs work to attract local students as well as non-certified school staff, such as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers, to the teaching profession. The benefit of the Grow Your Own grant awards recipients who have already been trained in district curriculum, processes and educational pedagogy to continue their education degree program. As a result of the grant money, Cassville was able to award five $2,000 scholarships to current Cassville staff members and student teachers. From left: Cassville Assistant Superintendent Dr. Traci Mitchell, and grant award recipients Jesus Garcia, Tesia Woods-Nichols, Tracy Anders and Audrey Lowe. Katelyn Brisco, not pictured, was also selected as a grant recipient. Contributed photo
