To combat the perennial shortage of qualified teaching personnel, the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education has sealed an agreement with International Alliance Group (IAG) to recruit teachers from abroad. With over 300 educator vacancies, the district is turning to international talent to address the most critical needs, particularly in specialized teaching roles such as Special Education. The San Diego Unified School District has reported details about the efforts being made to not only fill these gaps but also to bring diverse experiences into the classroom.
According to the Education Department's National Center for Education Statistics, 72% of public schools struggled to fill special education teacher positions in the previous school year. Dr. Fabi Bagula, the interim superintendent of San Diego Unified, told the San Diego Unified School District, “Nationwide, we are dealing with the reality that there are not enough certified special education teachers to meet the needs of our students.” With this international staffing partnership, the district hopes to complement and truly enrich the educational landscape with an array of cultures and teaching styles.
Under the partnership with IAG, teachers from outside the U.S. will be brought in on temporary visas and will teach for up to three years. They must thoroughly meet federal and state employment laws, including proper credentialing in California. Candidates are carefully selected and are already serving as educators in their home countries.
