With classrooms across the country facing a growing teacher shortage, one Oklahoma school district is turning to an international solution.
Santa Fe South Schools in Oklahoma City has welcomed a group of bilingual educators from Puebla, Mexico, to help fill critical teaching gaps ahead of the new school year.
The teachers, who specialize in subjects like math, writing, and social studies, are part of a multi-year initiative backed by the nonprofit Fuel OKC and the Oklahoma Teacher Pathway Program.
The program doesn’t just aim to fill vacancies - it’s also about cultural representation. District leaders say bringing in Spanish-speaking educators from Mexico helps connect students with teachers who share their language and heritage, which can improve classroom engagement and build stronger student-teacher relationships.
Fuel OKC is covering visa, travel, and housing expenses to ensure the teachers are set up for success.
The district says it plans to expand the program in the coming years as the teacher shortage continues to strain school systems nationwide.
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