Written by Delgado Staff Tuesday, 23 February 2010 15:41
Grow Your Own Teachers is an initiative of the State of Illinois that identifies, trains, and employs thousands of qualified teachers who have previous ties to the low-income communities where they will work. Each program under this initiative is organized and run by a consortium of institutions, including a teacher preparation university or college, a community-based organization, and a school district. "I am honored to have had the opportunity to speak with the members of this initiative," said Delgado. "This program has been an inspiration to many teachers and aspiring teachers throughout my district and the State of Illinois." The program draws teacher candidates from persons who are not qualified for "Alternative Certification" programs but are either currently employed in schools in these communities or participating as an active parent or community member. The evidence of similar projects around the country shows that teachers who come through this kind of program are much more likely to stay in hard-to-staff schools and positions than teachers who come from outside the community.
SPRINGFIELD, IL—Illinois State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) spoke today to members of the Grow Your Own Teachers initiative at a rally in Springfield.
Senator Delgado Menu
2nd District
Years served: 1999 - 2006 (House); 2006 - Present (Senate)
Committee assignments: Human Services; Appropriations I; Public Health (Chairperson); Consumer Protection (Vice-Chairperson); Executive Appointments; Committee of the Whole; Joint Comm. on Government Reform; Subcommittee on Amendments.
Biography: Full-time state legislator; born in Newark, NJ.; B.A. in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University; Leadership Chairman of the 2nd Legislative District's Volunteer Political Organization; married (wife, Iris), has two children.
