Welcome Back, HISD: Filling the Gaps for a Strong Start
As Houston ISD gears up for the start of the upcoming school year, district officials are relieved to see only a few dozen teacher vacancies compared to the thousands they faced at the beginning of summer. A promising improvement indeed!
To help fill the 47 remaining positions, including 12 special education roles, uncertified teachers will step in to lend their expertise. Superintendent Mike Miles shared that around 850 uncertified teachers have been hired this year, with plans for them to become certified over a two-year program. Many of these individuals were teacher apprentices who are now ready to lead their own classrooms.
Reflecting on the end of the previous school year, Miles noted that HISD had over 10,000 vacancies – a staggering number that seems like a distant memory now. Despite hosting several job fairs over the summer, the district faced challenges in filling specialized certified positions such as ROTC and career tech roles.
Some applicants who attended the job fairs did not meet the district’s standards or lacked the necessary background for certain positions. This highlights the importance of finding the right fit for both teachers and students within the HISD community.
While it’s unclear how many of the current vacancies were impacted by job eliminations at the end of last year, the focus remains on providing quality education and support for all students. As the new school year kicks off, HISD is ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead with a dedicated team of educators at the helm.