Durham schools rushing to fill teaching vacancies before school year starts

Exactly two weeks from the start of the academic year, Durham Public Schools still needs to hire more staff.

At last count on Aug. 8, the district had 270 certified teacher vacancies, and 73 classified teacher vacancies. Additionally, the district currently has 34 staff openings for its after school program, down from 61 at the end of July.

About 200 new DPS teachers are training at Hillside High School over the next two days, preparing for the school year. Some are first time teachers; others transferred into DPS.

21 year-old Kayla Beckett will be teaching sixth grade social studies. She’s a graduate of Durham public schools.

"It just feels like home," Beckett said of DPS.

Beckett said as a DPS student, she had teachers who went above and beyond for her.

"They did it because they loved us," she said. "I just want to basically do the same thing for another group of kids."

The upcoming school year is a full circle moment for incoming kindergarten teacher Tyler Emanuel as well.

"I’ve always wanted to come back into my community and make an impact," Emanuel said.

Emanuel was raised by educators, and she is also a product of DPS.

"We have a need here," Emanuel said. "Coming from Durham, it was always so influential seeing teachers who looked like me."

DPS recruiters want to reach students while they’re still in the classroom.

Assistant superintendent Dr. Alvera Lesane said a teacher candidate program is one of the ways DPS is trying to fill vacancies.

"We can catch them early and know before they even graduate high school that they will indeed be a DPS teacher," Lesane said.

DPS is also focused on mentoring and relationships.

Thomas Bell is new to DPS; he’ll be teaching eighth-grade math.

This marks Bell’s ninth year of teaching, after he transferred from a charter school. He shared advice for new educators.

"It does get a whole let better as you gain years of experience, so don’t give up right away," Bell said.

Lesane said district recruiters have their work cut out for them, but they’re making progress in hiring, and they’re excited about new teachers starting this year.

"We still know that this is one of the most difficult recruitment seasons that I’ve seen in my career," Lesane said.

DPS is also recruiting at local universities to fill after school vacancies, meeting students on campus as they start class this week.

You can learn more about job opportunities with Durham Public Schools here.