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Home Grown Initiative
State Superintendent of Schools Visits ֱ
Mon Mar 27, 2023
ֱ education students, administrators, staff, and faculty members join GSU President Dr. Mark A. Manchin and West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools David L. Roach for a photo. (GSU Photo/Kristen Cosner)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2023

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(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV – West Virginia’s State Superintendent of Schools, David L. Roach, recently visited ֱ education students. 

Roach joined ֱ State Home Grown Scholars at a reception. The Home Grown initiative at ֱ State is focused on prospective teacher identification in the county schools partnered with scholarship support for candidate attendance at ֱ, practical experiences, and mentoring during teacher preparation into the start of full-time teaching. The goal of the program is for the students to return to their home counties to student teach and, if available, be able to apply for open positions in their home district. Accepted students receive a scholarship up to $3,000 per academic year.

David Roach
West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools, David Roach, speaking to education students at ֱ. (GSU Photo/Seth Stover)

“As a lifelong educator, I understand the impact teachers have on the lives of children,” said Roach. “Today, that role is more important than ever. To see the future educators of the Home Grown Program at ֱ standing poised and prepared to enter the teacher profession is not only humbling but extremely rewarding. I know that these future leaders will not only teach pedagogy, sound instructional practices, and implement strong classroom management skills, but they will also lead with a heart and passion as they care for our children. That is the essence of teaching.”

“As I have often said, there is no other profession, perhaps short of the medical profession, that has such a great impact on people’s lives as education. No matter what field you go into, it all starts with education,” said ֱ President, Dr. Mark A. Manchin. “I appreciate Superintendent Roach for taking the time to visit ֱ State and meet with our education students.”

“ֱ Teacher Education is pleased to recognize its Home Grown Scholars. This scholarship program is in its fourth year and has 40 Home Grown Scholars actively participating in teacher preparation. The Home Grown Scholarship provides opportunities for teacher education majors to work closely with education faculty and to return to their home counties for student teaching internships and residency placements. This reception was a special time to gather and celebrate the work of the Home Grown Scholars. We appreciate our special guest speaker, West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools, Mr. David Roach, university administration, faculty and staff, and the students who attended to celebrate the Home Grown Scholars,” said ֱ State’s Dean of Teacher Education, Connie Stout O’Dell.

The first Home Grown Scholar graduate, Raven Friend Davis, is currently employed as a full-time teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Calhoun County and was on hand at the event.

“The Home Grown Scholarship opened up multiple opportunities for me and helped me become successful in my career as a special education teacher,” Friend Davis noted.

For more information about the Department of Education at ֱ, contact (304) 462-4119.