JCPS to recruit teachers from Puerto Rico after successful trip in 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools will recruit teachers in Puerto Rico.

The state's largest school district recruited 20 teachers from the Caribbean island and unincorporated U.S. territory seven years ago. According to a news release, JCPS human resource officials are hoping for similar success this year as they travel to Puerto Rico this week for a teacher recruiting mission.

JCPS has more than 300 open teaching positions districtwide. Special education and math are the hardest positions to fill.

"We are excited about reestablishing our recruitment efforts in Puerto Rico," Aimee Green-Webb, JCPS Chief of Human Resources, said in a news release. "We value the experience, expertise, and cultural perspectives of PR educators and we know our students benefit from their talent."

JCPS staff participated in job fairs to attract Puerto Rican teachers in 2017, which created a pipeline of employees. That pipeline was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, JCPS human resource staff who are fluent in Spanish will spend a week in several Puerto Rican cities. They'll speak to university students studying to become teachers and interview current teachers.

Omar Rodriguez interviewed with JCPS in 2017 and decided to move to Louisville from Puerto Rico. He taught in two schools and has been promoted to academic instruction coach at duPont Manual High School.

"There is a community of about 40 Puerto Rican teachers here who are ready to support anybody that comes from Puerto Rico, because we went through the experience," Rodriguez said in a news release. "We want to make sure that all our knowledge is used to ensure that their transition here is as successful as possible."

According to a news release, the average salary for a JCPS teacher is $73,600.

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