A Summer of Growing Your Own Initiatives

With the start of a new school year, it is a perfect time to share the incredible experiences students had as a part of the Grow Your Own (GYO) Initiatives in MCPS. Summer 2023 was marked by enthusiasm, growth and genuine excitement for learning about careers in education and pursuing post-secondary opportunities for MCPS high school graduates.

Towson University Teacher Scholars Institute 

Twenty-two MCPS rising 11th and 12th grade students completed a four-day residential pre-college experience at Towson University (TU). Using Maryland Leads grant funding, MCPS partnered with Towson to offer the TU Teacher Scholars Summer Institute. High school students were led through learning activities to inspire them to consider careers in education. Students toured campus, participated in team-building experiences, and connected with students from 13 MCPS high schools and others from Howard County Public Schools. They earned one dual-enrollment credit and a stipend for their participation. Ninety percent of the students indicated they are highly likely to pursue teaching as a career.

MCPS Recruitment Team Hosts Summer RISE Interns

The MCPS recruitment team hosted two Summer RISE interns, Maren Balint, an 11th grade student at Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School, and Jason Pena, a 12th grade student at Montgomery Blair High School. The duo supported recruitment events and interviewed employees in the Office of Human Resources and Development to learn about the work they do.

Extended School Year (ESY) Paraeducators – Class of 2023

MCPS hired 39 graduates from the Class of 2023 to serve as Extended School Year (ESY) paraeducators, which contributed to fully staffed ESY sites. They supported instructional needs within elementary, middle and high school summer programs. 

Educators Rising National Conference and Competition

Seven Clarksburg High School students, along with their teacher, Shannon McKenzie, the MCPS 2023 Teacher of the Year, participated in the 2023 Educators Rising national conference in Orlando. Educators Rising, a state and national student organization, prepares students who are interested in careers in education. The Clarksburg students joined more than 2,000 students and teachers from around the country to compete in events to showcase critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills. One of the teams from Clarksburg placed 7th in the nation. Student participants included: Ella Callahan, Geraldine Encarnacion, Lauren Lederer, Maggie McTimoney, Divine Nseliema, Dana Tran and Olivia Ziffer.

To learn more about the Grow Your Own Initiatives in MCPS, especially teachers and staff interested in establishing an Educator Rising high school chapter, contact Sydney Pinkard, coordinator for Future Employee Initiatives in the Department of Human Capital Management.