The district says it is looking to hire fully certified employees for the upcoming year, rather than performing emergency hires and certifying teachers. Waco ISD is hopeful that this incentive will bring more qualified candidates to best serve their students.
The bonus applies for teachers, library staff and nurses that commit to two years of
employment. Police jobs are also available for a $2,500 bonus and a one-year commitment.
Scarlett Smith is a newly certified teacher looking for a full-time job in elementary education. She currently has seven job offers across Texas, but she says the amount of responsibility that falls on a teacher in a city like Waco is much more than a degree can prepare someone for.
“And in addition to having to essentially be a therapist, teacher, and parent to some of these 22 kids, you're also having to deal with all of their academic work, all of their services that they have required of them,” Smith said.
“You're having to deal with all of the pressures that you already face as a teacher from school, in a society and in a world that wants to make your job harder.”
The teacher turnover rate in Texas is increasing. According to the Texas Education Agency, in the 2021-2022 school year the teacher attrition rate reached 11.6%, the highest it has been since 2012, where it was 10.6%.
Currently, Smith is leaning towards accepting a position in Houston near her fiancé. She says the grit required to work in Waco full time is not something she is ready for in her first year of teaching, even with an extra $5,000 on the table.
“Although $5,000 is a really nice addition to a teacher paycheck, because they're not great,”
Smith said.
“Personally, I don't think it would sway me enough as somebody who's going to be a first-year teacher, with all the stress that I'm already going to be under as a first-year teacher.”
Smith says until policy makers begin to give more of their care to teachers and show more appreciation for their services, the issue will continue to progress.
Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Daniel Lopez says they want
teachers who want to make a positive impact on students and support them through their developmental years.
“This incentive affords us the ability to attract fully certified teachers who are experienced, diverse, and want to call the Waco ISD community their educational home,” said Lopez.