Haven Ratcliff, a senior at Moorefield High School in Hardy County, signed her agreement to become a Department of Labor teacher apprentice through the West Virginia Department of Education’s (WVDE) TeachWV Grow Your Own Pathway to Teaching program (GYO). Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) approved the WVDE as a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) for the K-12 Teaching Occupation. This enables counties to sustain efforts for students to pursue a teaching career and to pay those students a wage to do so. Haven is the first enrolled student at Moorefield High School to sign on as a teacher apprentice under these guidelines.
Moorefield High School Principal Amanda Campbell expressed her pride during the ceremony, saying, “Programs like Grow Your Own not only prepare students for meaningful careers but also inspire them to give back to their communities. Haven’s commitment to teaching and her desire to return to Hardy County as an educator speaks highly about her dedication and the strength of this program.”
Haven has distinguished herself by excelling in the Grow Your Own (GYO) program, where she is completing all four required courses and taking dual-credit classes through Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College. At the signing ceremony, her GYO Teacher Mentor Tanya McGregor remarked, “Haven is a natural in the classroom. It comes so easy for her, which speaks volumes of the size of her heart.”
Superintendent Dr. Sheena Van Meter added, “This program is a game changer for education in Hardy County. It equips students with the tools and experience they need to succeed while creating a pipeline of talented educators who are deeply connected to our schools and community. Haven’s journey is a perfect example of the positive impact this initiative is having.”
The GYO program continues to thrive, with over 250 students from 37 counties participating statewide in its pilot year. Hardy County is proud to be among the original seven counties to implement an apprenticeship component, which has saved families across the state more than $90,000 in tuition costs.
For more information about the Grow Your Own program, visit TeachWV.com. To create apprenticeship opportunities for Hardy County students at your business or organization, contact Jessica Markwood at jessica.markwood@k12.wv.us or 304-530-2348 ext. 9232.
