Grow Your Own at KCC
MISSIOn
To empower compassionate adults from diverse communities with accessible, supportive training that builds confidence and prepares them to succeed as certified teacher assistants, teachers, and leaders in special education.
Vision
Educational equity for children and economic mobility for adults.
Core values:
Opportunity: Equity begins with access
Community: Every child is our child
Diversity: Where you've been is just as important as where you'll go
Dignity: Everyone belongs and everyone is capable
Our Impact
More than 500 adults have completed GYO 1.0, our Teacher Assistant Training program, since it was established in 2017
Approximately 70% of GYO 1.0 graduates secure a job in education within 3 months of completing the program
We are currently supporting 35 college students pursuing an AA, BA, or MA in early childhood special education, 28 of whom are registered as apprentices with the NYS Department of Labor in the Teacher Assistant, Teacher, or School Administrator trades
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.