Due to a lack of interest in the education field, school districts all over Florida are facing teacher shortages, forcing the districts to ramp up recruitment for the 2017-2018 school year.
- Schools in Florida facing teacher shortages
- College students no longer majoring in education
- Districts having to recruit out-of-state teachers
According to Greg White, a recruitment specialist for Osceola County schools, this district is starting recruitment early and exploring out-of-state options.
"We've got to find those quality educators to be in front of out children," White said.
According to the AP, Osceola school district and Valencia College have partnered to create the Future Teachers Academy, which will offer scholarships to education majors who agree to teach in county schools after graduation.
For the first time, the Seminole County school district is hosting their own teacher job fair next month, which used to be state-run, AP reported.
Educators say a main reason for the shortage is that Florida college student are no longer majoring in education.
Pamela Carroll, dean of UCF's college of education said "college students are not convinced that teaching will be a rewarding career path."
Another reason for the shortage is low pay and Florida's controversial teacher evaluation system, which is tied to standardized tests.
Orange County schools have added 10,000 students in the past two years, but have only hired 1,800 new teachers.
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said the University of West Florida, in the panhandle, has hired 50 new graduates this year, but is having to recruit out-of-state for its other 250 openings.
Mallory Crider, a University of Central Florida junior majoring in elementary education, said her grandfather, who foots her college bills, initially discouraged her from pursuing a teaching degree, worried she wouldn't earn much. But Crider said he came around when he realized how committed she was.
"I want to inspire kids the way they inspired me," she said.