Houston, Texas (KTRK) – It’s no secret that Houston ISD and other areas across the state have a huge gap to fill when it comes to teacher jobs.
Since spring, HISD has been working to fill those positions and retain the teachers they already have. It’s working so far – but they still have a long way to go.
“I am so excited to meet my students,” said 22-year-old Hannah Myers.
Myers never imagined that she would start a teaching career.
“My class number is D-305, and I’m going to teach chemistry and IPC,” Myers said.
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But a recent graduate of the University of Houston, she prepares and prepares for her class at ABC13 broadcaster Mayra Moreno in East End, Austin High School.
“I am excited to dive into teaching and grow more,” she said.
Myers is one of the 800 new teachers just hired at HISD.
We’re on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube (and) radio,” said Jeremy Grant Skinner, HISD’s Chief Talent Officer.
In the spring, I entered the area, and worked around every corner to fill in a large gap, which was a huge problem all over Texas. While 800 people were recently employed at HISD, there are still 800 more positions to fill.
“We are in a place where this is the most difficult nationally in decades for schools,” said Grant Skinner.
The Texas Education Agency has not acknowledged a shortage, but said it is difficult to fill teacher vacancies statewide.
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In March, supervisor Millard House II put it bluntly, saying, “Talent is going fast in the opposite direction.”
“We haven’t appreciated for some time, especially from a compensation perspective, our teachers the way we need them,” he said.
That’s why salary was such a big part of employment in the area this time around. HISD now offers the largest starting salary in the country, starting at $61,500.
“We also signed incentives for new teachers this year,” Grant Skinner said. “Anyone coming to the area was eligible, and today remains eligible for an additional $2,000 signature bonus.”
The district also offers an alternative degree program, where anyone who has a degree and wants to jump at the chance of becoming a teacher can do so for free.
It was an opportunity Myers couldn’t miss.
“I am grateful to be able to play a role in being a leader in our community and reaching out to students,” she said. “(I just want my students to know) that it’s a safe place here in my class and that we’re all in this together.”
For more information on this story, follow Mayra Moreno FacebookAnd the Twitter And the Instagram.
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