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Program Highlight: Growing Our Own (January 2024) 

LEARN supports our team throughout their career progression, regardless of where they start with us. In the past year, LEARN has invested in dozens of teammates to earn their bachelors’ degrees and teaching certifications by partnering with the Relay Graduate School of Education, National Louis University, and other institutes of higher education.  

This month, we are shining a light on Siobhon Enge, who has been part of the LEARN network for more than seven years and is currently a 6th Grade ELA Teacher at LEARN Excel. Ms. Enge graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching and a teaching license from the Relay Graduate School of Education in 2022. In March 2023, Ms. Enge was featured in a segment on America’s Black Forum about the shortage of Black educators and ways to address it. You can watch here.

What encouraged you to seek your teaching credentials through an alternative certification program? 

I started at LEARN as a paraprofessional for SPED before I moved up to become an Instructional Assistant and then a lead teacher. I was born and raised in Chicago, and I love being able to relate to scholars from the same background as me. Growing up, the teachers that looked and sounded like me made the biggest impact on my life. I want to do the same for my scholars. LEARN’s Grow Your Own program through Relay was a perfect fit because I was already here, and I could get an MA and advance in my career at the same time.  

What did you learn during your time as a teaching resident? 

Being a teaching resident prepared me to step into a full-time teaching role at LEARN. I was specifically impressed with the program’s commitment to teaching all educators how to connect with all students. If I were to go teach at a predominantly white school, I would still know how to be a culturally responsive teacher.

How has LEARN supported you throughout your professional development? 

LEARN is a place where you can grow to become a coach or move into higher roles like AP and principal. LEARN was phenomenal throughout the process, including paying for us to take our credentialing test. My passion is teaching and, thanks to LEARN, I’m able to do something I fell in love with many years ago.  

Are you interested in becoming a teaching resident and earning your credentials? Our Relay application is now open. We are seeking talented and committed educators from diverse backgrounds to make a positive impact teaching at LEARN Charter School Network. The deadline to apply is April 19, 2024.