WICHITA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SIGN IN MENU home-svg About WPS Parents & Students Schools Departments Careers Community News PAGES Home Human Resources Employee Incentive Programs Grow Your Own Teacher Grow Your Own Teacher PURPOSE The purpose of the Grown Your Own Teacher (GYOT) forgivable loan program is to combat the nationwide, chronic teacher shortage by developing a continuous pipeline of quality teachers who share the culture, language, and community of Wichita Public School students. Program Flyer FUNDING, ELIGIBILITY, AND PARTICIPATION The GYOT forgivable loan program is district funded. It is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of loan reimburesment to outstanding Wichita Public Schools employees in a classified (0.50 FTE or greater) or substitute position to encourage and enable them to pursue full-time teaching careers in a hard to fill certified position (SPED, Math, English, History, Science, or Elementary core). Preference will be given to those pursuing a Special Education teaching career path. *GYOT funds are not guaranteed. A limited number of recipients are chosen based on the application process by a district panel. All applicants will be notified on the panel’s choice regarding the semester(s) for which applied. QUALIFICATIONS One (1) consecutive year of consistent employment with Wichita Public Schools in a classifed position or guest (substitute) position and is in good standing, as determined by the Chief Human Resources Officer Minimum of 60 college credit hours completed, with a grade point average of 2.7 or better. Preference will be given to employees with a Bachelor’s degree. HOW TO APPLY Step 1: Be accepted into a Kansas university’s education/licensure program and prepare a Plan of Study. Step 2: Review the program overview and submit an application for Grow Your Own Teacher. Loan Program Overview Application: https://www.applitrack.com/wichita/onlineapp/default.aspx Step 3: Submit your university transcript(s) and plan of study with the application. DEADLINES To be eligible for funding in the fall semester, a completed application and a course of study must be submitted on/before June 1 in the school year funding is requested. To be eligible for funding in the spring semester, a completed application and a course of study must be submitted on/before December 1 in the school year funding is requested. To be eligible for funding in the summer semester, a completed application and a course of study must be submitted on/before April 15 in the school year funding is requested. TEACHING OBLIGATION Based on the Loan Program Agreement, each participant is obligated to begin teaching full-time, in his/her area of certification, in Wichita Public Schools the first semester immediately following graduation and continuing for a period of three consecutive years minimum. The participant shall reimburse Wichita Public Schools the entire amount of the loan received by the GYOT program if the participant for any reason does not meet the criteria established by the GYOT program, complete the requirements for a degree in education, fails to obtain teacher certification, or if the participant fails to provide a minimum of 3 complete consecutive years of teaching obligation following graduation; provided, however, one semester tuition and books paid for by the GYOT program shall be forgiven for each year of teaching service completed up to the year or time such services are not provided. Questions? Contact Human Resources at 973-4605 or humanresources@usd259.net Page Updated 8/25/2021 WICHITA PUBLIC SCHOOLS map903 S. Edgemoor, Wichita, KS 67218 phone316-973-4000 fax Copyright Wichita Public Schools | Site Map Non-Discrimination Statement | Accessibility Statement Questions or Feedback? Terms of Use Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated) Copyright © 2002-2021 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved.