KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffPoplar Bluff Looking to Hire Minority Teachers

Poplar Bluff Looking to Hire Minority Teachers

By Tyler Profilet - bio | email

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KFVS) - Thelma Driver is a special education teacher at Poplar Bluff High School, and she's just one of eight minority teachers in the district.

While 12% of the student population is made up of minorities, only 2% of the teachers are minorities, something Driver says has to change.

"Our young people need to see someone who is like them," she said.

"The minority students will approach you because you can identify with the issues on their lives," said Poplar Bluff teacher Jake Holmes.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Hon plans to attend job fairs at six historically black colleges and universities to try to recruit more minority educators, but says the district won't reserve open positions for minority applicants.

"We just want to make sure that we explore every avenue to bring in minority candidates because I do think it makes a difference as far as that positive role model for minority students," Hon said.

Hon also said he hopes to foster homegrown talent of high school students who may want to be teachers.

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