Now hiring: Arizona turns to Texas to lure teachers
Oct 6, 2015, 6:04 AM
PHOENIX — Arizona school districts are looking to Texas in the hopes of filling the state’s need for teachers.
Some of the state’s school districts will be at the Sam Houston State University job fair Wednesday looking for prospective educators. When the school year started back in August, 82 percent of Arizona school districts reported openings.
“Districts are just not finding enough teacher candidates from within the state,” Charles Tack with the Arizona Department of Education said.
He said 87 percent of Arizona school districts have to look outside of the state to fill vacancies.
“That’s certainly a very high number,” Tack said.
Tack said there are benefits to teaching in Arizona, such as the climate and great people. He also said the education department is working towards better teacher support and pay.
“It’s really about the community coming together and rallying in support of teachers. We think the more we do that, the more of a destination Arizona will become for those teachers from out of state.”
