SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Officials say a program scheduled to begin in spring would provide Scottsbluff High School students a roadmap for becoming teachers who would come home to help future students.

Justin Shaddick is an assistant principal at Scottsbluff High School, and he says the Grow Our Own Teacher program is being started because Scottsbluff struggles to retain teachers.

Shaddick and other district officials are working with Western Nebraska Community College and Chadron State College to develop the pathway for prospective teachers. District Superintendent Rick Myles said incentives for those future teachers will be provided by the Scottsbluff Public Schools Foundation.

Myles says that if the students really want to be teachers, “We really want them to have a chance to stay here.”