Grow Your Own Consortium continues University’s longstanding commitment to preparing educators, supporting communities across the State
CHARLESTON, IL (10/28/2026) Eastern Illinois University’s College of Education, Health and Human Services will convene regional education leaders on Wednesday, November 4, to discuss strategies for recruiting, preparing and supporting future teachers through the Grow Your Own Teachers-Illinois program. The meeting will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the 1895 Room at the EIU Student Union, bringing together school district administrators, community college leaders and community agency representatives to strengthen the regional teacher pipeline and address staffing needs in local schools.
“Preparing the next generation of teachers is central to EIU’s mission, and this event supports a broader commitment to Illinois’ efforts in that regard,” said Dr. Jill Rennels-Hutti, dean of EIU’s College of Education, Health and Human Services. “Through Grow Your Own, we are honoring EIU’s history and enduring legacy as a teaching school and fulfilling the State’s educational needs by working directly with school districts and community partners to help regional residents become licensed teachers. These partnerships allow us to address statewide teacher shortages while supporting the communities, students and families these future teachers will serve.”
Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1895 as “Eastern Illinois State Normal School,” EIU was originally founded to prepare teachers for the State’s public schools. That original mission helped shape both the institution and its relationship with Charleston and the surrounding region. EIU later became “Eastern Illinois State Teachers College” in 1921, “Eastern Illinois State College” in 1947, and finally as Eastern Illinois University in 1957. More than 130 years after its founding, EIU continues to put that history into practice by working with regional schools and communities to develop educators who can meet local needs.
Through the Grow Your Own initiative, the University connects higher education with the schools, families and communities that depend on a strong, well-prepared teaching workforce. Grow Your Own Illinois (GYO-IL) is a state-funded initiative that supports university programs throughout Illinois in recruiting and preparing individuals from underrepresented communities to become licensed teachers and thrive in the profession. Its mission emphasizes developing a diverse, community-connected teaching workforce. Past consortiums have included more than 80 school districts across five regional offices of education and 21 counties, reflecting the scale of the regional partnership.
Students in EIU’s Grow Your Own program pursue a bachelor’s degree or Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree while preparing for teaching positions, including those in hard-to-staff schools and subject areas. The program is designed to help address educator shortages while expanding educational opportunities and outcomes for students. To support future teachers along that path, GYO-IL provides financial assistance in the form of a forgivable loan, while EIU’s School of Education faculty provide academic guidance, social-emotional support and culturally sustaining professional development.
Together, these resources help candidates navigate teacher preparation while building the knowledge and skills needed to serve their communities. While EIU’s Grow Your Own Consortium brings together school district superintendents and principals, community college leaders and community agency representatives from across the region, the University’s Rural School Initiative describes the program as a regional pipeline for rural communities in southeastern central Illinois that have difficulty staffing their schools.
During the Nov. 4 meeting, consortium members will work with School of Education leaders and Grow Your Own administrative staff to review program goals and achievements, identify strategies for recruiting candidates, and discuss ways to strengthen candidates’ professional growth and development. The meeting offers an opportunity for education leaders to share regional needs, assess progress and coordinate efforts to help more aspiring teachers enter and remain in the profession.
These partnerships also demonstrate how EIU’s commitment to Illinois extends beyond its campus. The University’s history as a teaching school established a direct connection between teacher preparation and the needs of local school systems. Today, collaboration among universities, school districts, community colleges and community organizations continues that tradition by bringing regional partners together to meet a shared public need.
Previous EIU initiatives have similarly emphasized partnerships with rural schools and regional education organizations to introduce future teachers to the communities they may serve and to address challenges in recruiting and retaining educators. Through Grow Your Own, EIU continues to build on that work by helping community members pursue teaching careers and strengthening the connection between teacher preparation and the schools that need qualified educators. The EIU initiatives also support the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s strategic plan for enhancing and sustaining A Thriving Illinois.
For more information about Grow Your Own Teachers-Illinois, visit growyourownteachers.org. Information about EIU’s Grow Your Own program and its regional partnerships is available at eiu.edu/rsi/growyourown.
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EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s Public Information Office at (217) 581-7400.