A new partnership between the St. Joseph School District and Missouri Western State University is providing more scholarship opportunities for students in the district’s “Grow Your Own” teaching pathway. Darian Elder, a full-time substitute teacher at Hosea Elementary, is benefiting from the support as she pursues her dream of becoming a teacher while working in a school she loves. The partnership will cover Elder’s education costs, allowing her to graduate without student loan debt. Elder’s decision to pursue teaching was solidified through her experience working in a school, and she is grateful for the financial assistance that will help her achieve her career goals.