Butler County Schools Ahead of Teacher Hiring Trends
Released Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7:00 AM
2023 National Center for Education Statistics The report found teacher recruitment is a major challenge across the U.S. But Butler County Superintendent Joseph Eiland said his district is “leading the way” compared to many schools across the nation.
“We’re always looking for quality people to fill these positions,” Eiland said. “We want people who want to work hard and grow with us.”
Eiland emphasized that Butler County isn’t just trying to fill a vacancy.
“We’re not just looking for people,” Eiland said, “we’re looking for people who are ready, willing and able to invest in our students and help them realize their dreams, their visions and their goals — things they may not even know they have yet.”
A national report found that 86% of U.S. K-12 public schools are having trouble recruiting teachers for the 2023-24 school year, and 83% are struggling to fill non-teaching positions.
A recent Butler County Schools job circular lists salaries based on degree and years of public school teaching experience, ranging from $47,600 to $91,912 for a nine-month contract (187 days per year). It also notes that the district offers an excellent retirement plan and health/dental insurance at very affordable rates.
Despite the ongoing national and statewide teacher shortage, Butler County currently has only eight open teaching positions, and the county’s most urgent need is for dedicated, qualified special education teachers.
Alabama is addressing its teacher shortage by making individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher in any major from an accredited university eligible to earn emergency or substitute teaching certification. According to Island, the program allows people with a passion for teaching to gain experience while they complete their certification.
Those interested in joining the Butler County School System can visit the district’s website for open positions and application information. translation: Select “Department,” then select “Employment” and “Current Job Openings.”