More Interns May Take Over SF Classrooms Due To Critical Teacher Shortage
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Facing a critical teacher shortage this Fall, San Francisco may be forced to hire interns to teach classes.
Superintendent Richard Carranza has asked the school board for permission to hire more uncredentialed teachers from Teach for America, a non-profit that puts college grads in classrooms across the country. The TFA interns commit to 2-year teaching stints.
San Francisco has some 500 teaching jobs to fill by September. According to the San Francisco Chronicle Carranza is pleading with the school board to give 24 of those jobs to TFA interns.
"We are facing a teacher shortage crisis, not only in San Francisco, but in the state of California. I am asking, I am pleading with the board: Don't take away this option that we have to guarantee 24 slots," said Carranza at a recent school board meeting.
Some board members have expressed opposition. Sandra Fewer told the San Francisco Chronicle she doesn't think TFA is a good option, especially for hard-to-fill schools and classes like math, science, bilingual education and special education.
"I think our hard-to-fill schools need fully credentialed teachers. I think they need teachers who have perfected their craft, honestly. I think we can do better than this."
The school board sent the superintendent's request to a committee that is expected to vote on Tuesday.