Grow Your Own
Grow Your Own supports North Dakota paraprofessionals, educators, and students through teacher preparation, special education training, and apprenticeships to address teacher shortages in their communities.
Funder: North Dakota State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Due Dates: November 13, 2026 (Spring 2027 Traineeship) | March 5, 2027 (Summer 2027 Traineeship) | June 30, 2027 (PTP and RAP-T funding expires)
Funding Amounts: PTP and RAP-T: up to $20,000 per paraprofessional; Traineeship: $1,000–$2,000 per semester, up to three years
Summary: Grow Your Own supports North Dakota educator preparation while candidates remain and work in their home communities.
Key Information: PTP and funded RAP-T participants must work as paraprofessionals in North Dakota schools and enroll in eligible educator preparation programs.
Description
Grow Your Own is a North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) initiative addressing the statewide teacher shortage and access to high-quality teachers. Its pathways allow teacher candidates to remain in their home communities and continue working in their school districts while earning teaching degrees. NDDPI partners with educator preparation programs (EPPs), school districts, the Education Standards and Practices Board, Career and Technical Education, and the National Center for Grow Your Own.
The initiative brings together the State Para-to-Teacher Program (PTP), Registered Apprenticeship Program in Teaching (RAP-T), special education initiatives, principal and lead teacher apprenticeships, and Educators Rising pre-apprenticeship. These pathways support paraprofessionals becoming licensed teachers, current educators pursuing special education endorsements, and students exploring education careers. Lead teacher apprenticeships provide supervised on-the-job training that bridges teaching and school leadership.
