No More Teacher Shortages In Yakima School District

What a difference a year makes when it comes to teacher shortages in the Yakima School District. When the district started the 2015-16 school year there were 31 teacher openings. This year the district started the year with one open teacher position. District officials say a committee worked through last spring and summer to fill the positions. The district is now working to attract more student teachers to the area.

Universities, like WSU and EWU will be sending student teachers to the district for the first time this spring. and they won't have the usual barriers. The district  is working with some community members that have agreed to house student teachers free of charge, free health care for student teachers will be provided by the Farm Workers Clinic and the use of technology for distance evaluations of the student teachers by university staff will be available. Things district officials hope will keep the student teachers here in the valley for the long term.