The Educator Advancement Council (EAC), through the Tribal Nations Educator Collaborative initiative, announces a non-competitive funding opportunity for the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon to develop Tribal Nations Grow Your Own Programs (T-GYO) for the 23-25 biennium. The purpose of this Grant is to invest up to $375,000 per Tribe to increase the number of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators employed in early learning through post secondary institutions. Additionally, the program also aims to increase AI/AN educator retention for the purpose of improving outcomes (achievement, attendance, graduation, etc.) for AI/AN students. This Grant will provide direct funding for Oregon’s Tribal Nations to create programs that align with their communities needs and priorities for educator support with the goal of T-GYO participants completing the program with a certification to work with students, as well as supports to retain the educator in the community.

A Tribal GYO initiative is a partnership between educational entities* and one of the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon that are defined by its local and/or regional needs to recruit and retain AI/AN educators. Tribes will identify participants (Native and non-Native) to invest in using T-GYO funds. The program is developed and led by Oregon Tribes and their chosen partners. Partners should share the vision and desired goals of the leading Tribal Nation, be deeply involved in program design, and support participants career trajectories.

*Eligible partners are limited to school districts, education service districts, early learning and care providers or programs, Tribal Governments, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, or other educational entities focused on improving teaching and learning conditions in Oregon and in support of the goals of the Tribal Nations GYO Initiative.