Grow Your Own Teacher Application (Spring 2027 Term)

Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 (for Spring 2027 Eligibility)

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Grown Your Own Teacher (GYOT) 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.

FUNDING, ELIGIBILITY, AND PARTICIPATION
The GYOT forgivable loan program is district funded. It is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of forgivable loans 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). This program is not designed for those who are already able to be a Teacher of Record.

*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 prior to the semester, of the semester for which applied.

Hard to Fill Positions – Positions eligible for this program must be determined by Human Resources as “hard to fill” certified positions using the following criteria. The current areas that meet this criteria are SPED, Math, English, History, Science, or Elementary core:

• How critical the position is to the district's operation and mission
• The success of recent efforts to recruit candidates and retain employees in like positions
• The availability in the labor market of well-qualified candidates for employment
• Recent turnover in similar positions
• Special qualifications needed for the position
• Other unique factors that demonstrate difficulty in filling the position

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 complete the requirements for a degree in education, fails to obtain teacher certification, or if the participant fails to provide 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 semester of teaching service completed up to the year or time such services are not provided.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 (for Spring 2027 Eligibility)

PURPOSE
The purpose of the Grown Your Own Teacher (GYOT) 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.

FUNDING, ELIGIBILITY, AND PARTICIPATION
The GYOT forgivable loan program is district funded. It is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of forgivable loans 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). This program is not designed for those who are already able to be a Teacher of Record.

*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 prior to the semester, of the semester for which applied.

Hard to Fill Positions – Positions eligible for this program must be determined by Human Resources as “hard to fill” certified positions using the following criteria. The current areas that meet this criteria are SPED, Math, English, History, Science, or Elementary core:

• How critical the position is to the district's operation and mission
• The success of recent efforts to recruit candidates and retain employees in like positions
• The availability in the labor market of well-qualified candidates for employment
• Recent turnover in similar positions
• Special qualifications needed for the position
• Other unique factors that demonstrate difficulty in filling the position

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 complete the requirements for a degree in education, fails to obtain teacher certification, or if the participant fails to provide 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 semester of teaching service completed up to the year or time such services are not provided.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year of consistent employment with Wichita Public Schools in a classified 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.
• Must be enrolled in a teaching program for one of the defined "hard to fill" areas

APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS with your application:

• Plan of Study signed by a University official
• University transcript

Applications must be complete and fully submitted with all documentation above included prior to the December 1, 2026 deadline in order to be considered.

For questions please contact : Emily Widrig- ewidrig@wichitapublicschools.org

QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year of consistent employment with Wichita Public Schools in a classified 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.
• Must be enrolled in a teaching program for one of the defined "hard to fill" areas

APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS with your application:

• Plan of Study signed by a University official
• University transcript

Applications must be complete and fully submitted with all documentation above included prior to the December 1, 2026 deadline in order to be considered.

For questions please contact : Emily Widrig- ewidrig@wichitapublicschools.org