Grow Your Own Educator Fund Supports 27 Educators in Year 2 with $118,680 to Strengthen Regional Education Workforce
November 2026
The “Grow Your Own” Routt County Educator Advancement and Recruitment Fund Grant Committee, in partnership with the Yampa Valley Community Foundation (YVCF), is pleased to announce the second year of awards from the Fund.
In its second year, the unique collaboration among Routt County’s five public school entities continues to address critical regional staffing needs by creating a local funding source for Routt County school staff to earn teaching licenses, advanced degrees, and specialized certifications. This year, the fund has awarded $118,680 in total support, directly helping 27 local educators pursue pathways into classroom teaching, school counseling, special education teaching, gifted education teaching, preschool teaching, and new credentialed teachers to offer college-level courses.
For Bailey Wade, a paraprofessional at Hayden Valley Elementary School pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, the award made a career shift achievable. Wade, who started her family at a young age, was ready to return to the workforce as her kids got older. Now, she wants to transition to a classroom teacher.
“The Grow Your Own award is more than financial assistance; it feels more like a head start toward a future I once wasn’t sure would be attainable,” said Wade. “Without this support, pursuing my education while balancing my responsibilities to my family and my career would have been a much greater financial challenge. This award allows me to work toward becoming a classroom teacher while continuing to be present in my children’s lives.”
Collaborative Impact Across Routt County
The Grow Your Own Educator Fund operates as a joint partnership across five public school entities: Steamboat Springs School District, North Routt Community Charter School, Hayden School District, South Routt School District, and Steamboat Montessori. This regional approach unites neighboring school communities around a shared goal: keeping talented, locally rooted educators serving students across all of Routt County.
This second year of funding/awards reflects an expanded regional focus on both high-need instructional roles and essential behavioral health services. From classroom licensure to specialized clinical counseling degrees, this year’s fund recipients fill critical roles within schools across Routt County.
“Katie McElhinney has been an essential part of our Strawberry Park Elementary community, first as a dedicated paraprofessional and now in her role as a Special Education Teacher,” said Eron Haubert, principal of Strawberry Park Elementary. “Watching her continue to grow within our school while pursuing her Special Education Generalist licensure demonstrates her deep commitment to our students. The Grow Your Own Educator Fund makes it possible for dedicated educators like Katie to stay right here in our classrooms, and we are so proud to support her on this path.”
Employees who receive Grow Your Own funding commit to serving in their district for at least three years, ensuring a strong return on investment for local schools and students.
Year Two Grow Your Own Fund recipients
New Classroom Teachers
- Andrew Pontbriand (North Routt Community Charter) – Alternative Teaching Licensure
- Bailey Wade (Hayden Valley Elementary) – B.S. in Elementary Education
- Dustin Hartmann (Sleeping Giant School) – M.A. in Elementary Curriculum & Certification
- Naomi Barker (South Routt Elementary) – Master’s in Literacy
- Sequoya Bertron (Strawberry Park Elementary) – B.A. in Elementary Education
- Kellen Kurtz (Soda Creek Elementary) – M.A. in Culturally Diverse Learning & Education
- Maria Klein (Soda Creek Elementary) – Alternative Teaching Licensure
School Counseling and Mental Health Staff
- Angie Teters (Steamboat Springs High) – Dual M.S. in Clinical Mental Health & School Counseling
- Anna Allsberry (Steamboat Springs High) – Dual M.S. in School Counseling & Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Brenna Ciesco (Hayden School District) – M.S. in Social Work
- Brianne Haagenson (North Routt Community Charter) – M.A. in School Counseling
- Nicole Hickory (Sleeping Giant School) – Master of Social Work
- Scott Przymus (Steamboat Springs High) – Master’s in School Counseling
Special Education Teachers
- Amanda Gordon (Soda Creek Elementary) – Ed.S. Dual Principal & Administrator Licensure
- Katie McElhinney (Strawberry Park Elementary) – Alternative Licensure (Special Ed Generalist)
- Mariah Starbuck (Steamboat Springs Middle) – Alternative Licensure (Special Ed Generalist)
- Susan Kipfer (Steamboat Springs Middle) – Alternative Licensure (Special Ed Generalist)
Gifted Education Teachers
- Jennifer Hard (Strawberry Park Elementary) – M.S.Ed. in Gifted, Talented & Creative
College-Level / Concurrent Enrollment Instructors
- Bailey Iacovetto (Soroco High/Middle) – M.S. in Agricultural Education & Communications
- John Cleland (Steamboat Springs High) – Master’s in English
Preschool Educators
- Corrina Schliske, Hannah Gooding, Kate Decker, Katie Hunt, Maria Kearns, & Sarah McPhee (Steamboat Montessori) – Early Childhood Coursework
- Franki Story (Soda Creek Elementary) – B.S. in Early Childhood Studies
The ”Grow Your Own” Educator Fund is open for applications on a rolling basis. Educators and staff employed by one of the five public school entities are eligible to apply; applications will be reviewed as funding is available. Click here to fill out the application.
How to Support the Fund
The “Grow Your Own” Educator Fund is supported entirely through local donations. As the fund grows, more educators can be awarded funding. Community members can contribute directly to the “Grow Your Own” Routt County Educator Advancement and Recruitment Fund to expand the local educator workforce pipeline and create long-term sustainability for education in Routt County. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made online or by mail:
Online: Give at yvcf.org/donate/groweducators
By Mail:
Yampa Valley Community Foundation
348 Oak Street
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
(Please note “Grow Your Own Educator Fund” in the memo line.)