Become the Teacher Your Community Needs

Educators Institute, powered by the National Center for Grow Your Own, is developing a new model of teacher preparation designed for working adults, including those already serving students as paraprofessionals, instructional aides, school staff, and community leaders.

We believe the next generation of great teachers is already here.

Our work is to create the pathway.

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Launch Notice

This website reflects our developing model and mission. Program availability, admissions processes, degree offerings, licensure pathways, and program costs will be updated as approvals are secured.

Educators Institute is currently seeking approval to operate as a higher education institution and educator preparation provider.

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Great Teachers Already Exist in Our Communities

Across the country, schools are searching for talented educators while thousands of committed individuals already serve students every day.

They are:

  • paraprofessionals who every student knows by name

  • instructional aides families trust

  • substitutes who step into classrooms when they are needed most

  • school employees who understand their communities deeply

These individuals already have the relationships, knowledge, and commitment that great teachers need. Too often, traditional pathways into teaching are out of reach for them.

Educators Institute was created to change that.

A Fresh Approach to Teacher Education

Educators Institute is built on the belief that access and excellence belong together.

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Flexible Pathways Designed for Working Adults

Educators Institute’s flexible, online course delivery is scheduled around full-time employment. Our programs are designed so that aspiring educators can apply previous credits earned to accelerate completion of their program.

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Learning Grounded in Real Classroom Experience

Educators Institute’s coursework is integrated with real classroom practice, with every concept introduced in a course applied directly with P-12 students. From the first course forward, aspiring teachers are practicing, reflecting, and developing.

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Support From Experienced Educators and Mentors

Every aspiring teacher at Educators Institute learns from National Teachers of the Year, educators who bring years of classroom experience into curriculum design, instruction, and mentorship. Our programs are rigorous, practitioner-led, and designed to produce teachers who are genuinely prepared for students on Day 1.

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Affordable Teacher Preparation

We believe cost should never stand between great educators and the classroom. Our programs are designed to be affordable, with every effort made to help aspiring teachers complete their preparation with little to no student debt.

How It Works

  • Continue serving students while beginning your journey to become a teacher.

  • Build your skills through job-embedded preparation, coaching, and real classroom experience.

  • Complete a high-quality educator preparation program designed around your goals and community.

  • Enter the classroom prepared to support every learner and build a lasting career.

For District Partners

The strongest teacher pipelines begin with the people already serving students.

Educators Institute partners with districts to:

  • Identify promising future teachers

  • Develop local talent through practice-based preparation

  • Strengthen mentor capacity

  • Create sustainable pathways into teaching

Powered by the National Center for Grow Your Own’s deep experience developing Grow Your Own programs and teacher apprenticeship pathways nationwide, Educators Institute works alongside districts to build stronger, community-rooted educator pipelines.

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