By Akil E. Ross, Sr.
Superintendent
The Lexington-Richland School District Five Teacher Forum recently hosted a heartfelt celebration honoring our “Homegrown” future teachers for Lexington-Richland Five. This teacher-led initiative is designed to recruit and retain educators who were raised, educated, and trained right here in our community.
More than 170 Lexington-Richland Five teachers are graduates of Lexington-Richland School District Five who earned their college degrees and returned home to teach in Lexington-Richland Five schools. During the celebration, Alyssa Powers, our 2024 – 2025 District Teacher of the Year, delivered an inspiring message about the importance of creating a supportive environment where teachers can thrive and make a lasting impact.
The Teacher Forum’s Homegrown Teacher Recruitment initiative began long before a college degree was earned. We are intentionally investing in teacher cadets, high school seniors committed to careers in education, and support staff pursuing teacher certification. By cultivating future educators early, we are building a strong pipeline of talented individuals who are passionate about serving the community that helped shape them.
Much like collegiate athletic recruiting, these prospective teachers formally declare their intent to return to District Five after completing their college education and earning the necessary degrees and certifications. Establishing this intentional pathway helps ensure a steady stream of locally rooted educators who understand our community, value our traditions, and are deeply invested in our students’ success.
Each of the twenty “Homegrown” teacher candidates was invited to bring family members and an individual who inspired them to pursue a career in education. The stories shared throughout the celebration were heartfelt and illustrated why these individuals decided to enter the teaching profession. They reminded all of us why these future educators have chosen this profession and reinforced the importance of encouraging our students to return home and serve in the district that invested in them. Their stories served as a powerful reminder of our collective “why” as educators.
There are tremendous benefits to nurturing talent from within our own community. Homegrown teachers are best positioned to inspire and recruit the next generation of teachers. By formalizing clear pathways from high school to the teaching profession, District 5 is taking a proactive step toward retaining educators who are personally invested in our community. We believe this program will deliver long-term benefits for our schools, our students, and our neighborhoods.
Thank you to the District Five Teacher Forum, our Human Resources Department, our Academics Department, and everyone who helped make this celebration possible. We are excited about the promise of this “Homegrown” initiative to strengthen our schools and deepen the bonds between our community and its educators.
