Military veterans living in Florida will be allowed to teach students in schools despite their lack of a teaching degree. The Florida Department of Education announced the implementation of this initiative in answer to the ongoing teacher shortage in the U.S.
On June 9, 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed six bills in support of military families. One of these bills is approval for former and present military members, as well as their spouses, to teach students.
Per the Florida Department of Education, SB 896 will extend access to military personnel to secure jobs in education by completing a 5-year educator certificate through the mentorship of a certified teacher.
Candidates for teachers are required to have a minimum of 60 college credits, a 2.5 GPA, and a passing score in the Education Department's subject area examination for bachelor's level subjects. The veterans must also have a completed minimum of 48 months of service in the military, with a medical or honorable discharge. If a school hires veterans, they will need to retain a teaching mentor.
The teaching opportunity has been in place for some years now but changes in the requirements were made in recent months due to the pressing need for teachers. The policy has also officially taken effect into law as of July 1.
Filling the teacher shortage
At least three Northwest Florida school districts need more than 150 school teachers for the upcoming school year, which opens in the middle of August. They are expecting military veterans and their spouses to step up and fill the teacher shortage.
Shenna Payne, the deputy superintendent of the Escambia County Schools, told ABC 3 WEAR-TV that they have had inquiries from interested veterans and have informed these potential teachers to get their credentials in order. Dr. Lee Hale, the assistant superintendent in Okaloosa County said that they welcome the veterans as well because they are "very well equipped."
Manny Diaz, Florida's Commissioner of Education, said that veterans turned teachers can provide structure, teach committment and follow through, or exemplify the value of being on schedule. He believes that these are very strong lessons to impart to young students.
The Alachua County school district is still waiting for veterans to apply as teachers. They have at least 60 vacancies with no takers, as of press time. To encourage applicants, the district spokesperson Jackie Johnson said that they are willing to assist veterans in earning their state certifications.
Teachers unions oppose the initiative
While SB 896 provides jobs for military veterans and their spouses, members of Florida's teachers' unions are against the initiative. Anna Fusco of the Broward Teachers Union and Karla Hernandez-Mats of the United Teachers of Dade believe that there are detrimental consequences to this program.
"When you have unqualified people educating children, the repercussions of that miseducation are actually going to be much greater," Hernandez-Mats said, per Local 10.
Fusco said that the requirements for military veterans to become teachers devalue the actual educators who have put a lot of time into earning their four-year teaching degrees. Hernandez-Mats said that their disagreement with this initiative has "nothing to do with what a military person with military experience" but it is about the disrespect for those in the teaching profession.
High school educator Jim Gard said that the reactions from the teacher shouldn't be surprising because they spent $80,000 to $100,000 on their teaching degrees. He reasoned that although the veterans have gone to school, that does not make them teachers.
"I have ridden a pony, I am not going to go into the Kentucky Derby," Gard said.
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