“We've been working very hard to make sure that we've been putting quality educators in front of our students in the classroom,” said Steven Jackson, DISD director of human capital.
According to a district press release, 45 staff members are helping out in high-priority positions such as bilingual, special education and core content vacancies while DISD continues recruiting efforts throughout the semester.
“Some people from our central office who are certified teachers, we have asked them to go into the classrooms and help out with teaching those students until we find a permanent person [for] that classroom,” Jackson said.
High-priority positions utilizing central office staff also include all Accelerated Campus Excellence school positions.
“These are all previous educators who have the knowledge and experience to lead a classroom,” said Nina Lakhiani, DISD media relations official.
Middle schools primarily need math and science teachers, and elementary schools mostly face shortages in special education, while the district’s high schools are the least affected, Jackson said.
“Since August, we have committed to having a certified teacher in front of students to help with staffing opportunities,” said Robyn Harris, executive director of strategic engagement and crisis communications for DISD. “Dallas ISD deployed central staff to help fill those vacancies and still continue to make great progress.”
Out of the 250 unfilled teaching positions at the beginning of the semester, about 140 to 150 vacancies remain, according to Jackson.
