FY26 A.I. Human Resources: Increasing Faculty Diversity
Increasing Diversity in Teacher Positions Through A "Grow Your Own" Teacher Pipeline
Faced with a nationwide teacher shortage and a growing demographic gap between staff and students, Worcester Public Schools (WPS) shifted from a reactive hiring model to a proactive, community-rooted strategy. This session explores the inaugural year of the WPS "Grow Your Own" (GYO) program, a collaborative partnership with local colleges that allows high school students to earn college credits and clear career pathways into the teaching profession. We will dive into the logistical "how-to" of Year 1—covering curriculum alignment, funding models, and student recruitment—to provide a blueprint for districts looking to cultivate their own future educators from within their current classrooms.
Brian Allen
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools
David Coelho (Moderator)
Director of Finance
Weston Public Schools
David has been the Director of Finance with the Weston Public Schools since July 2025. Prior to joining Weston, he was the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations in the Lexinton Public Schools for six years and the Director of Finance in the Bedford Public Schools for sixteen years. David came to public education after ten years of service in state government and the nonprofit sector. He holds a BA in Government and Economics form Clark University and a Masters in Public Administration from Suffolk University.