ST. PAUL – In an effort to attract more teachers to rural Minnesota’s classrooms, State Representative Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont) is sponsoring legislation that would allow out-of-state teachers to work in Minnesota so long as they are making efforts to become licensed.
“From what I’m hearing locally, the days of 150 applicants for one teaching position are long gone,” Gunther said. “One school in my district waited for over a year to hire a 5th grade teacher. We need to figure out a way to get more people interested in teaching in Greater Minnesota, and I believe this is one way to do it.”
Gunther noted that in comparison to some neighboring states, Minnesota offers better salaries and benefits for its teachers.
To entice veteran teachers to cross the border, Gunther’s bill would allow educators with at least two years of teaching experience and a teaching certificate in their state to work in Minnesota for one year. After that, they would need to have their Minnesota teaching license in hand.
“For whatever reason, the teaching profession is not as attractive as it once was and we need to come up with hiring alternatives that are outside-the-box,” Gunther said. “This bill would allow us to attract more quality teachers and give them time to become licensed.”