New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) received a grant from the National Education Association (NEA) Great Public Schools (GPS) Fund to advance the goal of great public schools for every student. GPS Fund Grants are intended to help NEA State and Local Affiliates enhance the quality of public education by developing, implementing, and leading an agenda that engages members with an emphasis on student-centered success and well-being through union-led efforts.

NYSUT’s Take A Look at Teaching (TALAT)/Grow Your Own (GYO) application is one of 13 projects funded nationwide by the NEA. This grant extends the work of NYSUT’s TALAT Initiative and builds on the pilot work a small group of affiliates started in 2019 to engage students in Take a Look at Teaching activities and programs. The goals outlined in the 2021 GPS application include:

1. Developing Grow Your Own programs that recruit prospective educators from middle and high school and college to enter teaching.
2. Increasing the diversity in the teacher pipeline.
3. Creating teacher pipeline structures including TALAT clubs to support interest in teaching careers.
4. Improving the pipeline for rural communities.
5. Developing partnerships and relationships in more intentional and purposeful ways with K-12, higher education, families, and community partners and groups.
6. Building leadership (member and non-member) capacity for student-centered programming and advocacy.
7. Working toward sustainability of the teacher pipeline after the grant period

The K-12 GYO grant is intended to assist K-12 affiliates and their partners in developing their own teacher pipeline by attracting, engaging, and preparing students to become future teachers. The student pool should include both interested and potentially interested students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. To assist in this effort, K-12 affiliates should work in solidarity with families, higher education institutions, and community partners and groups. K-12 GYO grant proposals should address the specific goals listed above.

The projects funded during this final round are for a two-year period July 2022 - June 2024. TALAT Activities should begin during the Fall (October/November) semester.

Funding is based on membership size and the proposed activities for each year. Please use the membership tiers as a guide to develop your budget.

• $3,500 to $5,000 (251 and above members)
• $2,500 to $4,000 (126 -250 members)
• $2,000 to $3,250 (1-125 members)

Applicants should attend a grant webinar before submitting their application.

Click below to register.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have questions.

Funds may be used for, but not limited to, the following:

• Implement a TALAT Club
• Provide a stipend for the TALAT Club Coordinator
• Support student activities (i.e. registration fees, transportation, lunch during a campus visit)
• Provide refreshments, materials and printing costs for student meetings and related activities
• Support community events and programming directly linked to teacher pipeline activities and plans
• Pay stipends for students to serve as mentors and or tutors

Applicants should consider how collaborations with established New York State programs that have a track record of engaging students of color may enhance their application. Programs may include:

• My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) focuses on improving outcomes for young men of color by ensuring they are prepared for college and career-ready. TALAT clubs and activities can engage males of color and help steer them to teaching careers.
• Liberty Partnership Programs (LPP) The Liberty Partnership (LPP) supports at risk middle and high school students in their academic, social, and emotional development. LLP has a track record of ensuring diverse students attend college and achieve their career aspirations.
• The Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC II) is designed to increase the number of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged individuals in the New York State teaching force. TOC undergraduate students could serve as mentors to K-12 students who are low-income and first-generation college students pursuing a teaching career.

Before you submit your local’s application, we recommend you share this information with potential partners to ensure your project’s success:

• Share the announcement and application with your Executive Board to ensure buy-in and support for the project.
• Reach out to the Superintendent and Board of Education to seek support for the project.
• Identify potential partners – higher education, community partners, community leaders - and invite them to attend a TALAT/Grow Your Own webinar to learn more about the project.
• Extend an invitation to other K-12 members of your local; including educators of color, early career educators, and retirees; to see if they are interested in taking part.