Missouri will invest $50 million to recruit and retain new teachers

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the launch of a digitally powered-recruitment program TeachMO.org to help "identify and cultivate the next generation of teachers throughout the state."

The state will invest $50 million over the next three years for the recruitment and retention program.

DESE said the money will go toward recruitment and retention programs to keep teachers in their profession for a longer period.

DESE also is hopeful the new partnership will help provide training opportunities for future teachers.

Paul Katnik, Assistant Commissioner for DESE said, "We work with teachers... we help them understand kind of the status of the profession, we ask them to join us and kind of be recruiters. Plant those seeds for future teachers".

TeachMO.org will unite K-12 schools, postsecondary teaching preparation programs, government agencies, community organizations, and nonprofits.

TeachMo will allow aspiring teachers to access free comprehensive resources, coaching, scholarships, reimbursement for application fees, and a checklist that helps new teachers go through the application process.

The program will also conduct a statewide public service announcement and digital advertising to help recruit and create interest for those who aspire to become a teacher.

DESE said they hope this recruitment program will "improve the perception of teaching professions and develop a statewide system to attract the future pipeline of Missouri."

ABC 17 News also reached out to the Communications Director at Columbia School Districts, Michelle Baumstark. Baumstark said in a statement, "The Columbia School District is excited about the possibilities the recruitment tool poses. We are in a much better position in that area than other districts may be at this time.  We are still in need of classroom aides, custodial staff members, and additional nutrition services employees.  EduStaff, our substitute contractor, also continues to build the substitute pool to help in that area as well".

Noelle Gilzow a teacher at the Columbia school district said she's hopeful the new partnership will solve teacher shortages.

"I'm hoping that with um better compensation package and um other initiatives that we would be able to retain teachers here rather than just being kind of a hop over until they find a spot in a district that is elsewhere", Gilzow said.

A national nonprofit organization referred to as TEACH will support the new platform. Additionally, schools, universities, and education organizations around the state will help support TeachMO.org.

For some time now, Missouri's faced a teaching shortage like many other states.

According to DESE, in Missouri, the average teacher attrition rate over the past six years is 11 percent. Although this number is higher than the nationwide average of 8 percent, DESE believes too many teachers leave the profession and not many teachers can replace them.

DESE says they hope the new recruitment program will help address a need for qualified and diverse teachers in Missouri School Districts.

The state also plans to fund other projects including, Teaching Education Recruitment and Retention grants and Pathways to Teaching and Career programs.