Upstream launches with learnings from Grow Your Own effort in local school districts
How do we address the certified teacher shortage in Texas while building a well-prepared workforce that reflects the communities they serve?
This question sits at the heart of our recent learning at Houston Endowment. In the first episode of our new webinar series, Upstream, we explore a promising, community-driven solution: Grow Your Own (GYO) teacher preparation programs. These programs identify and support local talent such as paraprofessionals, high school students, and career-changers as they pursue teacher certification while continuing to live and work in their communities.
Drawing on the expertise of school and university leaders, evaluators, and program participants, the Endowment’s Grow Your Own program evaluation explores how districts are co-creating flexible, supportive pathways that reflect the realities of today’s educator workforce.
Our conversation features:
- Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Superintendent of Tomball ISD
- Dr. Monica Trevathan, evaluator from Steuck & Associates
- Carlos Villagrana, Education Program Officer, Houston Endowment
- Dr. Sara Jones, Evaluation Officer and host of Upstream
Year one evaluation report prepared by Steuck & Associates.
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The context for this work is urgent. In the past year, more than half of new teacher hires in Texas lacked full certification, and 12% of the region’s current educator workforce remains uncertified. Meanwhile, the pipeline of future educators is shrinking, particularly in high-need areas like bilingual education and special education.
Against this backdrop, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2, dedicating significant funding to teacher residencies and GYO programs. Districts now have both the need and the opportunity to redesign how teachers enter the profession.
At Houston Endowment, our commitment to learning extends beyond our walls. We partnered with Tomball, Aldine, and Spring ISDs-and with Steuck & Associates, a San Antonio-based evaluation firm-to understand how GYO programs are working on the ground.
Through interviews, surveys, and focus groups with districts, university partners, and teacher candidates, the evaluation surfaces both bright spots and lessons for improvement, including:
Financial and academic flexibility is essential for adult learners balancing full-time work and family responsibilities.
Strong district-university collaboration can make or break the candidate experience.
Real-time feedback loops between stakeholders accelerate improvement and help programs adapt in Year One.
Candidates from the community bring deep commitment and long-term potential as educators, and often become the program’s best recruiters.
The full report offers practical insights for funders, district leaders, and policymakers working to strengthen the teacher workforce.
Through interviews, surveys, and focus groups with districts, university partners, and teacher candidates, the evaluation surfaces both bright spots and lessons for improvement, including:
- Financial and academic flexibility is essential for adult learners balancing full-time work and family responsibilities.
- Strong district-university collaboration can make or break the candidate experience.
- Real-time feedback loops between stakeholders accelerate improvement and help programs adapt in Year One.
- Candidates from the community bring deep commitment and long-term potential as educators, and often become the program’s best recruiters.
The full report offers practical insights for funders, district leaders, and policymakers working to strengthen the teacher workforce.
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