In this episode, we are joined again by our colleagues from Missouri State University and Dr. Staci Fuqua from the University of Tennessee, Martin, regarding pathways for para to professional or in Tennessee called “Grow Your Own” program. We discuss that many of the problems in education are tied to workforce needs in the community. This is about workforce development. This program is now a registered apprenticeship program in the state. The guest discusses the sustainability of the program and methods for encouraging partnerships in the community. We talked about how the teacher shortage has made a huge challenge for administrators in education. We discussed pathways to para as a method for addressing where higher education partners with paraeducators to offer a trajectory to education. Further, the hosts discuss how money was made available to help address these problems and offer solutions. We discuss how apprenticeships can serve rural education and solve on-the-ground issues. We discuss how resource-rich educational districts work with smaller districts to help facilitate these programs. The phrase of the day is “Grow your Own.” Dr. Staci Fuqua has been working in education for 28 years. She teaches at the University of Tennessee, Martin. She serves as the Director Educator Preparation Program & Accreditation, edTPA Coordinator for the Educator Preparation Program. She has been working on pathways to para to professional programs in Tennessee. Dr. Jon Turner is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Missouri State University. He is a former rural schoolteacher and administrator and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Missouri Association of Rural Education (MARE). His research focuses on the four-day school week and other innovative instructional practices in rural schools. Twitter @JonTurnerEdD Dr. Reesha Adamson is the Associate Dean of the College of Education at Missouri State University. She is a member of the faculty of the Department of Special Education. She is the Director of the Pathways for Paras Project www.pathwaysforparas.org, a federally registered apprenticeship program that helps paraeducators retain their jobs in schools while completing their teaching degrees. Twitter @Reesha123 Today is sponsored by My Credential. Check out their amazing services.