Dallas ISD Campaigning Now For New Teachers
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DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - The Dallas Independent School District needs to hire at least 300 new teachers. However, all of those potential teachers have little background in educating children.
"We specifically need people interested in going into bilingual education," says Meredyth Hudson, executive director of alternative certification for Dallas ISD.
The school district is set to begin an education program for professionals who would desire to teach specialty areas. Through the districts alternative certification program, selected applicants would complete a summer program, begin teaching, then be required to complete their teaching certification within one year.
"Often you hear our superintendent say there's not just a teacher shortage, there's a shortage of teachers qualified and certified in the areas we need them," said Hudson. "English as a Second Language, math, science, special education. Those are our target primary areas."
Five years ago, DISD teacher Mercy Nazario found her passion when DISD found her in Puerto Rico.
"In Puerto Rico, I was working at the time for the IRS as a tax specialist," she said.
Now, Nazario teaches fourth grade bilingual and dual language classes.
She finished school herself, completing the district's alternative certification program, while teaching school.
Dallas ISD will hold a special job fair for alternative certification applicants on April 11. The goal is to prepare applicants for the school year by completing an intense training program in the summer.
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