MMSD and Madison College celebrate first graduate of 'Grow Your Own' associate degree program

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is celebrating a significant milestone for its Grow Your Own (GYO) to Associate Degree program, which aims to support career advancement for current employees while addressing the continued workforce need for dedicated educators throughout the district.

This spring, the program proudly uplifts its first graduate, Edith Noriega, a bilingual resource specialist at Schenk Elementary School, who has earned an associate degree from Madison College and is now preparing to move on to the University of Wisconsin (UW)–Madison to complete her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

"Edith’s journey is a powerful example of the impact this program can have," said Jen Schoepke, MMSD’s and the UW-Madison School of Education’s director of special projects, reflecting on the importance of the initiative. “She has shown remarkable commitment to her students and colleagues, and we are excited to support her as she continues her path toward becoming a fully licensed educator."

Launched in 2024, the GYO to Associate Degree program is designed to provide MMSD staff members who have not earned their bachelor’s degree a clear route to obtain their teaching credentials. Participants first complete a two-year associate degree in liberal arts through Madison College’s Education Pre-Major University Transfer Program, followed by two years at UW-Madison to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. The program covers tuition and provides a $17,000 stipend, full benefits and, so long as students meet the requirements, a guaranteed admission to UW-Madison’s School of Education through a unique transfer articulation agreement.

Program participants work 20 hours per week within the district while pursuing their degree, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in real-world education settings. Upon graduation from UW-Madison, they are required to teach within the district for three years, reinforcing MMSD’s investment in their professional growth and providing a critical pipeline for its future teacher workforce.

"We’re incredibly proud of Edith and the journey that’s led her to this significant achievement," said Superintendent Joe Gothard. "Her hard work, dedication and passion for both teaching and learning provide an exceptional model for other aspiring MMSD teachers to follow, and we look forward to the many contributions that she will continue to make to our District and the students and families we serve.”

The associate degree pathway is one of several GYO programs and career advancement initiatives available to MMSD staff, including accelerated licensure programs and tuition reimbursement for staff pursuing advanced degrees in special education, bilingual education and school leadership.

For her part, Noriega was already halfway through her associate coursework at Madison College before signing on to finish her studies in the GYO program, evidencing her motivation and ambition to become a teacher; her peers in the cohort are slated to receive their degrees next year.
 

“Every day, I feel incredibly fortunate to witness the profound impact that educators have on their students and communities,” she said. “Today, I am proud to be one step closer to becoming a teacher myself. I am deeply grateful to MMSD, Madison College and UW–Madison for this opportunity, and I am especially thankful for the incredible educators who continue to leave a lasting, positive impact on students’ lives, just as they did on mine.”
 

This news article was republished with permission of the Madison Metropolitan School District.