The School District of Lee County is increasing its international recruitment efforts by returning to Puerto Rico for the first time in three years to hold a job fair. The District is partnering with Polk County Public Schools and St. Lucie County Public Schools for the two-day recruitment event March 24th and 25th in San Juan.
“We are focusing on teacher recruitment in Puerto Rico in an effort to attract bilingual educators to our District,” said Director of Recruitment Suzette Rivera. “Our student population in Lee County is 43% Hispanic and we would like to increase our teacher demographics to closer mirror our students.”
The District has previously recruited in Puerto Rico. Two dozen teachers were hired in 2018 after Hurricane Maria but COVID prevented any in-person recruiting during 2020, 2021 and 2022. Tice Elementary School teacher Maria Santiago was hired from Puerto Rico in 2017 and will be part of the recruiting team representing the district in March.
“For 27 years I was trying to have the dream classroom totally full of resources, computers for each kid, supplies, and all human support to cover each student's needs, Santiago said. “Coming here they will have the room of their dreams, a just salary and plenty of benefits like social security and a good insurance. I will encourage teachers in Puerto Rico to come to Lee County because they are going to feel like home.”
Registration is recommended in advance of the job fair at https://forms.gle/oEZFNtcAo7wCc4qF9.
Teachers who receive job offers will get continued support from the District through the remainder of their hiring process and move to Lee County. Orientation for all teachers new to the School District will be in late July.