Public school teachers needed in Collier County

More teachers are needed in Collier County’s public schools for the upcoming school year.

There’s only about a week until the new school year starts and 160 teachers are still needed in Collier County.

If there’s any good news it’s that Collier County public schools have hired 350 new teachers. While that’s a step in the right direction, there are many more teaching jobs that need to be filled in Collier County.

The number of teacher openings hasn’t changed in the past six weeks. WINK News spoke with a school board member in late June. Back then Collier County still had to fill about 160 vacant teaching jobs.

Monday, WINK News spoke with a former tutor who has a granddaughter in Collier County public school. She said the problem is just simple math, teachers need better pay.

“Maybe they are not getting enough money that they deserve because they are working really hard,” one woman said who didn’t want to give her name.

$47,500 is about the starting salary for a new teacher with Collier County public schools.

If you’re thinking about becoming a teacher, you can always try substitute teaching first. If it’s something you enjoy and are good at, Collier County public schools are hiring.