GMercyU Wissahickon Scholars Featured in The Philadelphia Citizen
GMercyU Education students Toni Robinson ’26 and Nia Murray ’27, both recipients of the Wissahickon and Gwynedd Mercy University Opportunity Scholarship, were featured in an article in The Philadelphia Citizen on the power of Grow-Your-Own (GYO) programs in the state of Pennsylvania.
Toni and Nia, alumni of Wissahickon High School, received a full scholarship to attend GMercyU to major in Education with the plan to return to Wissahickon School District upon graduation to serve as teachers. The Wissahickon and Gwynedd Mercy University Opportunity Scholarship is an example of a GYO program designed to enrich the educator pipeline with school districts.
Hear more about Toni and Nia’s thoughts and feelings on being part of a GYO program and the impact of such programs below.
How do you feel about being part of a GYO program?
Toni: “As the first recipient of a GYO scholarship in the Ambler borough, I am honored to set the tone and be an influence for younger generations after me. Knowing that I can go to a university debt-free and have a guaranteed job waiting for me is very reassuring. It allows me to be the best teacher I can possible be without the worry of the financial burden of college. Fortunately, the GYO program seems to be getting bigger and bigger. According to Penn State’s Center for Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis’s most recent study, the state has seen more than a 60 percent decline in teaching certificates since 2010, which means there is a huge need for teachers for the upcoming school years. The importance of this GYO program is that it allows students who have dedication and passion to teach but may not have the funds to attend college. I am honored to be a part of a GYO scholarship that goes to a student of color every year after me.”
Nia: “As the second recipient of this wonderful GYO scholarship, I am honored to have been awarded this opportunity. The GYO scholarship that Wissahickon High School awarded me consists of many different things. For example, it’s a full-ride scholarship that covers room and board and offers me a guaranteed position in one of the four elementary schools in Wissahickon School District. This is a fantastic opportunity, and I am incredibly grateful to say that I have been awarded this scholarship. The GYO program has brought forth many opportunities from which I have learned tremendously.”
Are you getting good responses when you visit high school students?
Toni: “High school students are eager to listen to college students because they tend to take advice more seriously from peers than from adults. Hearing the advantages and disadvantages of various situations from someone closer in age is more captivating for these students. Additionally, I believe that students are often lectured too much; they need more contemporary, relatable conversations. Students have expressed to me that having a young adult speak to them is more exciting than the usual teacher encouraging them to consider college. While students recognize that college is the next logical step, they crave authentic and unfiltered insights into the college experience. Therefore, having a genuine college student speak to them provides a firsthand glimpse into what college life is really like, distinct from the portrayals often seen in movies or media.”
Nia: “I am overwhelmed with good responses when I visit high school students. So much so that it makes me emotional. I receive a lot of questions asking what I did to get this scholarship and if I can help them obtain one of their own. This is the best part about being part of a GYO program because I enjoy helping people reach their dreams and unlock their true potential.”
Do you feel you are making a difference in the Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) in the schools, specifically as a model for students of color?
Toni: “Going back to my alma mater districts, Wissahickon, has been very influential not only for me, but for the students that I work with. Students that know me from my previous years served as a student at Wissahickon have personally told me that my presence inspires them to do something bigger with their futures. Whether it’s teaching or not, the overall impact is that more high school students want to pursue higher education and put their passions to the test.”
Nia: “I have been in two elementary schools this year for my TAP program. Throughout this journey, I believe that I am making an impact for ALL students, but specifically students of color because of the feedback that I received from my minority students. Once I stepped foot into my TAP classrooms, I could see the faces of all of the students of color light up, and that’s when I knew that my presence meant something to them. This is why GYO programs are so important because it promotes representation in school districts that need it, and this is important for students of color because it profoundly impacts their academic achievement.”
Do you believe we can achieve obtaining more teachers of color in the next five years or so?
Toni: “I strongly believe that initiatives like GYO, which offer financial assistance to students passionate about higher education but lack the funds, can attract more individuals interested in pursuing careers in education or attending college overall. To me, GYO offers an opportunity to step into the next chapter of your life.”
Nia: “GYO programs have helped me join the Education field when I thought I would never be able to due to the cost of high education. Therefore, I strongly believe that if programs like GYO continue to stay in effect, we will see a significant increase in the number of people of color joining the education field. Such programs can influence high school students of color to join the teaching ranks because they inspire students to maintain good grades and put themselves out there. The GYO program has shown students of color who want to be teachers that there is a support system out there that is willing to help them live out their dreams of getting a college degree. Without GYO programs, some students may have given up on their dreams of pursuing high education because of financial issues, but the GYO program has changed that.”