TCS strengthens “Grow Our Own” teacher pipeline through student inspiration and university partnerships
TCS strengthens “Grow Our Own” teacher pipeline through student inspiration and university partnerships
Published 1:44 pm Monday, April 6, 2026
THOMASVILLE — Thomasville City Schools continues to expand its “Grow Our Own” teacher pipeline — a multi-layered approach focused on inspiring students, creating early exposure to education careers, and building strong university partnerships that bring graduates back home to teach.
At the heart of this effort is something uniquely powerful: the strong relationships formed between teachers and students. District leaders say those connections often inspire students to one day return as educators themselves.
“When students are inspired by the teachers who poured into them, that’s when something special happens,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Sweeting. “We are intentionally creating pathways so our students can see teaching as a career option — and come back to serve the very community that shaped them.”
One example is Haley Bennett, a first-grade teacher at Jerger Elementary and proud Thomasville High School graduate. Bennett credits the relationships she built as a student with influencing her decision to return and teach in Thomasville.
“Thomasville City Schools has always felt like home,” Bennett shared. “The support and sense of community I experienced as a student made a lasting impact on me. Now I have the opportunity to give that same support to my students.”
In addition to recruitment efforts, the district supports teachers at every stage of their careers. New educators benefit from the IMPACT mentoring program, while experienced teachers grow through LEAP (Leadership Exploration and Advancement Program), preparing them for future leadership roles within the district. Together, these initiatives create a full continuum — from inspiring students in high school classrooms to supporting veteran teachers in leadership.
The impact of this work is already being seen beyond the classroom. Nisyah Duncan and Cristopher Hale, both recent graduates of Thomasville High School, began their journeys through the district’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Early Childhood Education pathway. It was there they discovered a passion for education and a desire to give back to their community.
Today, both Duncan and Hale are recipients of the Thomas University Para-to-Teacher Scholarship, allowing them to pursue their teaching degrees while gaining hands-on experience in the field. Duncan is currently working with Head Start and aspires to return to Thomasville City Schools as an educator, while Hale is serving as a paraprofessional at Jerger Elementary, building classroom experience as he continues his studies.
Their stories reflect the district’s “Grow Our Own” vision in action — introducing students to education careers early, supporting them through postsecondary pathways, and ultimately preparing them to return home as future educators.
This work begins at the high school level through CTAE pathways, where students gain firsthand experience and insight into careers in education under the leadership of Kris Presha. Building on that foundation, the district’s partnership with Thomas University provides a seamless transition into the Para-to-Teacher program, now in its second year, creating a direct pathway from student to educator.
“This partnership allows us to support aspiring educators from the very beginning,” said Sweeting. “Nisyah and Cristopher’s journeys are powerful examples of what it means to grow talent locally and invest in long-term success.”
This work directly supports the district’s Bulldog +1 commitment, ensuring students graduate Enrolled, Enlisted, or Employed — and, in some cases, prepared to return as future educators serving the next generation.
“Our goal is simple,” Sweeting added. “Inspire them. Prepare them. Support them. And welcome them back home.”
As Thomasville City Schools continues to strengthen its Grow Our Own strategy, district leaders remain focused on building a sustainable pipeline of passionate educators rooted in community, relationships, and Bulldog pride.
