U.S. News
DeSantis suggests giving retired officers hiring bonuses to fill teaching vacancies
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced three initiatives aimed to “increase recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers.”
- Among the proposals was the offer of $4,000 hiring bonuses for retired cops and first responders willing to fill teaching vacancies.
- The initiative will also waive certification exam fees for vets and retired first responders.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced a proposal to offer hiring bonuses to retired first responders willing to fill teaching vacancies across the state.
The Miami Herald reported on the governor’s announcement at a press conference in New Port Richey. DeSantis presented three proposals, to be introduced at the opening of the 2023 legislative session, aimed to elevate the learning of both students and teachers.
For the first proposal, DeSantis declared that one-time hiring bonuses will be offered to military veterans and retired first responders, such as paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, for committing to be a full-time classroom teacher for two years. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree.
The bonuses will start at $4,000, with an additional $1,000 for those who instruct courses with critical shortages. Certification exam fees will also be waived for vets and all retired first responders.
The governor stated, “We believe that the folks that have served our communities have an awful lot to offer. We have people who have served 20 years in law enforcement, who have retired, and some of them are looking for the next chapter in their life.”
The second proposal includes an apprenticeship program. Seasoned teachers can mentor aspiring teachers in gaining hands-on teaching experience. Bonuses will be given to applicants who successfully pass a background check, have an associate’s degree from an accredited postsecondary institution, and a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
The third proposal includes a scholarship program for K-12 teachers willing to teach dual enrollment courses on high school campuses.
DeSantis believes that the three initiatives will help “increase recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers.”
“What makes a teacher great is being in the classroom, watching other teachers, and seeing what works,” DeSantis continued. “With today’s announcement we will be helping more teachers gain that critical firsthand experience, and we will be recruiting first responders and veterans to continue their service in the classroom. Our students will greatly benefit from these programs.”
Critics said that the proposal simply gave veterans easier access to five-year temporary teaching certificates. But DeSantis countered that “the people that serve our country are not just some warm body.”
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco called the proposal “common sense,” since veterans and former first responders can share their lived experiences with students.
Data from the Florida Department of Education revealed that the projected number of teaching vacancies in the state in the 2021-22 school year was 9,079.
