CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Recruiting and hiring more international teachers is one way school districts such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are filling gaps during the teacher shortage.

In the past two years, CMS has increased its international teachers from 60 to 118.

What You Need To Know

  • The number of international teachers in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has nearly doubled over a two-year period
  • School administration says enrollment in teacher prep programs has dropped 40%
  • The CMS talent acquisition team is creating more ways to recruit teachers in the future

Talent acquisition executive director Robert Ellyson says it's about finding teachers who are committed and qualified enough to take on the role of an educator.

"A teacher does not just come in and provide information and share content," said Ellyson. "They are people that build relationships with students and connect with students, and in many instances really serve as a role model for students."

Ellyson says the teacher shortage isn't new, but it has gotten worse. In the last year to two years Ellyson says enrollment in education prep programs has decreased by 40%. It's reflected in the classroom with not enough teachers for the students.

"It can look like teachers taking on more students," said Ellyson. "It can look like teachers covering classes and not having the planning time." 

Ellyson says, depending on the grade, it could also mean teachers from one school virtually teaching students at a different school. 

International teachers, including kindergarten teacher Diana Hortua, are filling positions with J-1 Visas. The Visa enables educators to teach here for three to five years before returning to their home country to continue teaching there.

Hortua is in the Dual Language Immersion Program, teaching in Spanish to a class of half native Spanish speakers and half native English speakers.

Not all international teachers are in the Dual Language Immersion Program. 

Ellyson says the school district is working on other ways to recruit teachers to the field in the future. 

"Some things on the horizon that we would really love to connect fully is really a teacher cadet program, to connect with our high school juniors and seniors," Ellyson said. "But also, looking for affordable ways for people that want to teach to go through a program and get their teacher certification."