A new initiative in South Florida is addressing the teacher shortage issue by helping individuals transition from different careers to the classroom. The partnership between United Way Miami and Achieve Miami has led to the creation of the “Teacher Accelerator program” in Miami-Dade County.
According to Achieve Miami’s Chief Executive Officer Leslie Miller Saiontz, there are over 5,000 teacher vacancies in Florida, with hundreds of classrooms in Miami-Dade County remaining empty. This program aims to provide job training and place qualified individuals in these vacant teaching positions to ensure that students have a teacher in front of them.
United Way Miami’s Chief Executive Officer Symeria Hudson expressed the organization’s commitment to solving the teacher shortage issue through this collaboration with Achieve Miami. One success story from the program is Carlos Griffin-Benitez, a veteran who decided to transition from a career in finance and the Marine Corps to become a teacher at South Dade Senior High School. With a master’s degree from Syracuse University, Griffin-Benitez found his calling in the classroom after learning about the teacher shortage in Florida.
Through the Teacher Accelerator program, Griffin-Benitez gained essential skills such as classroom management, lesson planning, and working with students during a summer school internship. He highlighted the importance of understanding students’ diverse backgrounds and needs, emphasizing the positive impact teachers can have on their students’ lives.
Despite the challenges and negative stigma surrounding the teaching profession, Griffin-Benitez remains optimistic about the potential for making a difference in students’ lives. He believes that students are eager to learn and that teachers with a genuine calling can have a meaningful impact on their education.
The program has already seen success, with over 150 participants graduating and working as full-time teachers in Miami-Dade County classrooms. This initiative not only addresses the immediate need for teachers but also provides individuals from diverse backgrounds with an opportunity to make a positive impact in the education system.
By supporting programs like the Teacher Accelerator program, organizations and communities can work together to combat teacher shortages and ensure that all students have access to quality education. Through partnerships and initiatives like this, we can create a brighter future for both teachers and students in the education system.
