The Grow Your Own Adult Pathways Teaching Fellows grant program includes tuition support, Navigator connection, and mentorship.  

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a current employee of an MEP school OR

• Graduated from an MEP school OR

• Parent of a current MEP student or graduate OR

• Live within MEP school district boundaries AND

• Meet the Minnesota Department of Education grant guidelines and MN Statute for use of Grow Your Own grant funds to increase the number of Black, Indigenous, or People of Color in the Minnesota teacher workforce AND

• Earning your initial teacher licensure in any grade level or content area of teaching 

  • Can be for Undergraduate or Graduate Initial Teaching Licensure

To Apply:  

• Complete this MEP Grow Your Own Adult Teaching Fellows Application 

  • Includes an essay or video response to: What has led you to want to become a teacher?  What are some strengths you will bring to being a teacher?  Why will you be an excellent teacher? (1 page, approximately 500 words; or 2-3 minutes if recorded video  If you choose to apply via video, please upload the video into Google Drive and then paste a link to it here (be sure to change the settings so anyone with the link can view) 

• Applications are reviewed and based upon application information provided, candidates are invited to an interview with members of the MEP Grow Your Own Advisory Committee.  

• 2026-2027 Application Deadlines are:  October 26, 2026; January 25, 2027; May 3, 2027