Welcome party held for new Orange County Public School teachers

OCPS says will sign on more than 1,000 new teachers for upcoming school year

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools held a welcome party for all new teachers in the district. The event was pep rally style, with a band and cheerleaders. OCPS says they wanted teachers to know they are appreciated.

"I think sometimes teachers are under-appreciated, and we want to make sure they know that, as a district, we support them," administrator Susan Abbe said.

The welcome party comes at a time when teacher recruitment nationwide is struggling. Florida is experiencing a teacher shortage. Low wages set by the state is part of the problem, and fewer students are going to school to learn the profession as well.

However, OCPS says they will sign on more than 1,000 new teachers for the 2017-2018 school year. Melanie Maxey says she learned she was passionate about children and switched careers.

"I worked in the business, in the corporate world for a long time and I decided to switch into education and I absolutely love it, it's something new and exciting every day."

OCPS is the10th largest school district in the nation. The school year begins August 14th.


Recommended Videos