Fifteen students are in the pilot cohort. They can complete the program — and become a teacher — at no cost to them thanks to a gift from a private donor. 

“We want to reach high schoolers who care about high-quality teaching and have a commitment to those in the community in which they live,” said Gail Richmond, director of MSU’s Teacher Preparation Program and one of the leaders of the Community Teachers initiative. “This program is intended to reduce the financial barriers to getting a teaching degree and certification.”

The cohort’s high school seniors throughout GRPS are dual enrolled at MSU, taking entry-level courses. Upon high school graduation, the 15 students can attend MSU for four years or enroll in Grand Rapids Community College and then transfer to MSU. While in MSU’s Teacher Preparation Program, participants will intern in GRPS.

“As educators, we strive to cultivate the seeds of knowledge within our community,” said Leadriane Roby, superintendent of schools for GRPS. “This program serves as the fertile ground, nurturing aspiring teachers from Grand Rapids, shaping them into the future stewards of education for Grand Rapids Public Schools. Together, we’re not just growing teachers, we’re nurturing the roots of our community’s educational legacy.”

Supporting future stewards

The GRPS partnership is, ideally, just the beginning of Community Teachers, according to MSU leaders.

“This inaugural GRPS cohort is serving as a pilot model for planned and hoped-for collaborations across Michigan,” said Kimberly Arsenault, MSU associate professor and Grand Rapids-area program director for the Community Teachers initiative. 

She noted that several other school districts around the Grand Rapids area are invested in the initiative and are working through initial steps to formalize establishing cohorts in those districts.

“This important initiative can continue, in GRPS and beyond, through continued partnerships and philanthropic support,” Arsenault added.

The collaboration aligns with complementary MSU and statewide initiatives to address teacher recruitment challenges. For example, MSU’s Teacher Preparation Program moved from a five- to a four-year model, saving students more than $16,000 in tuition and preparing teachers faster. The Michigan Future Educator Stipend, offered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, also supports students pursuing teaching careers.

GRPS students in the pilot cohort have already started work in MSU classes and, even though they are still early into the programming, they can see results and have hope for the future.

“TE 101 [an introductory course on teacher education] taught me in-depth societal history I was unaware of,” said GRPS student Barrett Vernon. “More people should be taking advantage of the Community Teachers opportunity.”

For more information about the MSU Grand Rapids Community Teachers initiative, view this video and contact Mandy Robbins, head school counselor at Innovation Central High School, at 616-819-3340 or robbinsm@grps.org.