Grow Your Own at KCC
Did You Know?
Grow Your Own at the Kennedy Children’s Center is the first and only Registered Apprenticeship Program in New York State training aspiring educators for the field of early childhood special education.
We proudly train teacher assistants, teachers, and school administrators in partnership with the New York State Department of Labor—enabling motivated adults with just a high school diploma to enter the education pipeline and grow into tomorrow’s leaders.
Our Impact
405 adults have graduated from GYO 1.0, our Teacher Assistant Training program, since it was established in 2017
Approximately 70% of GYO 1.0 graduates secured a job in education within 3 months of completing the program
We are currently supporting 30 college students pursuing an AA, BA, or MA in early childhood special education
20 of our GYO program participants are registered as apprentices with the NYS Department of Labor
Hear from past and current GYO participants about how the program has impacted their lives
Read about Grow Your Own in the news
gROW yOUR oWN 1.0
Our teacher assistant certification program will help you gain the necessary skills to manage a classroom
Grow Your own 2.0
An extension of GYO 1.0, certified teaching assistants who aspire to be full time teachers, receive financial support from our GYO 2.0 program.
Support GYO at KCC
Grow Your Own is made possible by the generosity of our donor community.
You can make a real difference in the lives of children, families, and early childhood professionals by donating today.