On Tuesday, The Texas Tribune hosted two back-to-back panel discussions on how Texas can best attract, prepare, and retain teachers.
The conversation focused on a few urgent questions:
The event was hosted and supported by the Charles Butt Foundation and Raise Your Hand Texas, with major sponsorship from Texas AFT, Association of Texas Professional Educators, ClassWallet, Commit, and the Houston Endowment.
In the first panel, Tribune education reporter Sneha Day moderated a discussion between Jean Streepey, Highland Park ISD business teacher and Board Chair of the State Board of Education Certification (SBEC); Bob Anderson, chief of human resource services at Klein ISD; and Ryan Franklin, managing director for policy and advocacy at Philanthropy Advocates.
Texas has been battling a rising tide of teacher vacancies and filling the gaps increasingly with uncertified and underprepared teachers. Panelists explored how the state arrived here, including the steep rise of alternative certification programs over the past 40 years, how the pandemic accelerated teacher attrition rates, and the role of Districts of Innovation legislation in allowing districts to hire uncertified teachers in certain subject areas. Panelists clarified that there is a difference between an uncertified Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher with relevant industry experience versus an uncertified teacher teaching a second-grader foundational literacy skills. They also emphasized the need to expand conversations about “uncertified” teachers to focus more on addressing the challenge of “underprepared” teachers, and how to ensure educators are highly prepared, regardless of pathway.
The panelists dug into what high-quality preparation looks like, naming real classroom time, strong mentorship, and robust observation cycles. Anderson spotlighted Klein ISD’s residency model, substitute teacher supports, and university partnerships as examples of smart investments in teacher quality.
Some of the solutions floated included stipends for student teachers, scholarships, and ensuring incentives for aspiring teachers to choose high-quality educator preparation programs.
Ultimately, the panel agreed: if Texas wants to attract and retain more teachers, the keys to success are higher value and respect for the profession, strong clinical preparation, support from school and state leadership, and higher pay.
The second panel, moderated by Tribune education reporter, Jaden Edison, featured Staci Childs, Region 4 State Board of Education member, former teacher, and criminal defense attorney; Kadence Carter, advocate with Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) and former Katy ISD student; and Cara Malone, chief of schools at Hutto ISD.
The discussion began with the question: What makes an effective teacher? The answers were grounded in personal experience as former students or educators: the ability to authentically connect with and engage learners, balance wearing multiple hats (educator, counselor, social worker, sometimes even parent), remain humble, and commit to lifelong learning.
The conversation zeroed in on barriers to entering the profession and choosing higher-quality educator preparation routes. For many, it’s the length and the cost of certification associated with stronger clinical, hands-on classroom preparation.
Malone highlighted Hutto ISD’s new apprenticeship model, through which teacher candidates “learn and earn,” gaining classroom experience while receiving a salary and support through an educator preparation program. She urged other district and state leaders to reframe their thinking from a “teacher shortage” to an “opportunity problem” in providing high-quality, financially viable certification pathways.
Panelists also tackled teacher pay head-on. Childs asked the room to imagine: What if teachers earned $100,000 a year? How would that change the profession?
Carter reminded everyone why belonging matters. He shared personal experiences about how essential it is to have teachers who see and honor students’ full, authentic selves.
The conversation ended on a call to action for teachers to organize, vote, and testify at the Capitol and school board meetings.
Thank you to The Texas Tribune for coordinating the event, the panelists for sharing their expertise, and to Texas teachers for all you do.
Discover all posts