It's a passion for education that keeps most teachers in the classroom, but many states across the country are still looking for people to fill those spots.
It's a drive to teach the next generation about their rights that draws Maria Hoeven to her job in New Orleans as an Advanced Placement government teacher. She's moving to Kansas City and finds herself in the hot seat Saturday morning.
That's when Kansas City Public Schools hosted career fair from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Board of Education at 29th and Troost.
"Especially working with low-income, minority kids, which I have the past eight years. Seeing them empowered, knowing their rights and being well-informed," said Hoeven, who was answering a question about why she loves being a teacher.
KCPS said it is looking for talented and dedicated teachers and district employees. It has about three pages of positions it is looking to fill for the 2018-2019 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell said the district has a high need for science, math, engineering and foreign language teachers.
"There are not a lot of people entering into college, going into engineering, then saying I'm going to teach science at the high school level," explained Dr. Mark Bedell.
Jackson County, along with many others, were reported to the Department of Education as having a teacher shortage.
Jackson County was listed in the following areas: foreign language, agricultural education, art, business, elementary, family and consumer sciences and human services education, industrial technology, language arts, math, music, physical education and health, science, skilled technical sciences, social studies, special education, speech and dramatics, technology and engineering education.
Bedell said he would like to see a stipend or more competitive compensation for teachers in hard to staff areas. He said they would work on that with the teacher's union and Department of Education.
KCPS are far from the only district in need of specialized teachers.
A study by the Learning Policy Institute shows 48 states and D.C. reported teaching shortages in math.
And that isn't the only issue with finding staffing.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education survey, the 2016 national survey of college freshmen, in the United States just more than 4% of freshman said they would major in education, the lowest point in 45 years.
That does didn't deter Christina Muñoz from pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher.
She just graduated in December from Missouri State University and also is interviewing for a job with KCPS.
"I have an emphasis in science. I'm just excited to get going," said Muñoz, who was interviewing for her first teaching job.
KCPS has an 89% talent retention rate. The district has mentors and social services for teachers and its classrooms.
"We are doing teacher check ins quarterly with our first and second year teachers to see what they need," said Jennifer Collier, the Chief Human Resource Officer for KCPS.
Muñoz said she is excited to get her own classroom so she can inspire little humans.
It's a passion for education that keeps most teachers in the classroom, but many states across the country are still looking for people to fill those spots.
It's a drive to teach the next generation about their rights that draws Maria Hoeven to her job in New Orleans as an Advanced Placement government teacher. She's moving to Kansas City and finds herself in the hot seat Saturday morning.
That's when Kansas City Public Schools hosted career fair from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Board of Education at 29th and Troost.
"Especially working with low-income, minority kids, which I have the past eight years. Seeing them empowered, knowing their rights and being well-informed," said Hoeven, who was answering a question about why she loves being a teacher.
KCPS said it is looking for talented and dedicated teachers and district employees. It has about three pages of positions it is looking to fill for the 2018-2019 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell said the district has a high need for science, math, engineering and foreign language teachers.
"There are not a lot of people entering into college, going into engineering, then saying I'm going to teach science at the high school level," explained Dr. Mark Bedell.
Jackson County, along with many others, were reported to the Department of Education as having a teacher shortage.
Jackson County was listed in the following areas: foreign language, agricultural education, art, business, elementary, family and consumer sciences and human services education, industrial technology, language arts, math, music, physical education and health, science, skilled technical sciences, social studies, special education, speech and dramatics, technology and engineering education.
Bedell said he would like to see a stipend or more competitive compensation for teachers in hard to staff areas. He said they would work on that with the teacher's union and Department of Education.
KCPS are far from the only district in need of specialized teachers.
A study by the Learning Policy Institute shows 48 states and D.C. reported teaching shortages in math.
And that isn't the only issue with finding staffing.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education survey, the 2016 national survey of college freshmen, in the United States just more than 4% of freshman said they would major in education, the lowest point in 45 years.
That does didn't deter Christina Muñoz from pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher.
She just graduated in December from Missouri State University and also is interviewing for a job with KCPS.
"I have an emphasis in science. I'm just excited to get going," said Muñoz, who was interviewing for her first teaching job.
KCPS has an 89% talent retention rate. The district has mentors and social services for teachers and its classrooms.
"We are doing teacher check ins quarterly with our first and second year teachers to see what they need," said Jennifer Collier, the Chief Human Resource Officer for KCPS.
Muñoz said she is excited to get her own classroom so she can inspire little humans.
"A lot of my teachers inspired me to teach and helped me with my English in Kansas City actually. It''s my way to give back to the community and to inspire other students as well," said Muñoz.
The district could hire 20 to 25 people in the next month.
"A lot of my teachers inspired me to teach and helped me with my English in Kansas City actually. It''s my way to give back to the community and to inspire other students as well," said Muñoz.
The district could hire 20 to 25 people in the next month.
