ORLANDO, Fla. — As districts across the country are battling teacher shortages, Orange County Public Schools has been filling positions by welcoming teachers from abroad.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Florida Education Association, there were almost 7,500 vacancies across the K-12 system in the state this past school year

  • The Orange County school district currently employs 212 international employees to fill positions, according to a spokesperson

  • Teachers hail from countries like the Philippines, Jamaica, and China

Evelyn Caballero joined the team at Saddler Elementary School after hoping to expand opportunities for her family.

“The thing that inspires me is really my family first. So when I got my own family as a mother and a wife, I started building high hopes and dreams for them,” said Caballero, a 3rd grade math teacher.

Caballero moved to Orlando from the Philippines, and was able to bring her daughter with her, who attends the same school.

Caballero was hired in coordination with an organization called “Educational Partners International.” The program brings qualified teachers from other countries like Jamaica, the Philippines, Ghana, South Africa, Trinidad, Guyana and China.

The program is a win-win for the district, as they’re able to fill positions in a teacher shortage. According to the Florida Education Association, there were almost 7,500 vacancies across the K-12 system in the state this past school year.

“I try my best to come here to share my experiences, because I know I make a difference for the lives of these students,” said Jenesis Cubio, a 3rd grade math interventionist from the Philippines.

As a part of the program, international staff participate in cultural exchanges, providing perspective some students may not ordinarily receive.

In addition, teachers are able to bring their experience and teaching methods from their home country and use them in coordination with U.S. teaching methodologies.

“I just want them to grow as students. And aside from that, I know that I’m already learning a lot here at Saddler Elementary School. Different strategies in teaching, different engagement strategies,” said Ariel Dayucos, 4th grade math teacher also from the Philippines.

In total, the school district employs 212 international staff through the program, with 12 employees at Saddler Elementary alone.