HUTTO — Hutto Independent School District will guide aspiring educators into areas of need throughout the newly-launched apprenticeship program, the district’s administration said.
The apprenticeship program essentially consists of future teachers working as paraprofessionals at Hutto ISD while they receive free education.
Cara Malone, the district’s superintendent of human resources, said Hutto ISD currently has 15 teacher vacancies. Malone said half of the vacancies are in special education.
“We’re really working to try to partner with some universities who can bring us that special education certification so that they have that as soon as they finish,” Malone said. “They don’t have to go and test to get that. Of course they have to test, but at a later date.”
The participants will walk out of the program debt-free with a college degree and teaching certification with the understanding that they remain in the district for three years.
Other high-priority needs include secondary language teachers, math teachers and science teachers.
Superintendent Raúl Peña said the needs of the district resemble similar needs of most school districts in Texas.
“I was at one of our schools today and the principal is concerned about not having enough math teachers next year,” Peña said Thursday, Feb. 1.
Finding English teachers has been a harder task lately, Malone said.
Although Malone said Hutto ISD needs teachers in specific departments and subjects, that wouldn’t be the only qualification in the “rigorous application.”
Applicants will be judged on criteria such as the likelihood they will get accepted into one of the district’s college partners.
Organizers hope to bring in at least 50 apprentices for the next school year.
“We’re looking for passionate people who love kids,” Malone said. “All of those things will be a part of the application, but there will definitely be priority areas.”
Hutto ISD will host an information session for those interested in the program Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Human Resources Cottage, 200 College St. The district’s HR team will lay out how to complete an application, which Malone said is expected to open the following day.
