Yuma high schools recruiting from within to fill special education shortage

FOX 9's Adam Klepp spoke to the Yuma Union High School District about their Education Professions Program

YUMA, Ariz. (KECY, KYMA) - The lack of special education teachers has been an issue for YUHSD for years.

“Almost every single high school, at one time or another, has had one, two or three open positions,” Communications Officer Eric Patten said.

Assistant Principal of San Luis High School Leticia Anaya says the school does its best to get by with the lack of qualified teachers, but ultimately it makes it harder for the school to provide services students need.

"We have to fill the classes with substitutes, or our class sizes get bigger, which is not the best situation for our students,” Anaya said.

While the High School District continues to recruit special education teachers, they say one of the most effective solutions for solving the problem is outreach to their own students through the education professions program.

Anaya says this program helps students become paraprofessionals.

"Then we can help them and encourage them to pursue a full certification as a special education teacher,” Anaya said.

Patten says the Professions Program is available at multiple high schools.

"San Luis, Gila Ridge, Kofa, and Cibola high schools all offer the career pathway programs,” Patten said.

Anaya says recruiting local students is the most effective way to fill their need for special education teachers.

“The student that knows the community, that knows the language, is able to understand the needs of the community and support that,” Anaya said.