In partnership with the Special Education Department, HISD’s Talent Acquisition Department is offering core content teachers a monetary stipend in addition to a unique opportunity to develop professionally and earn their Special Education certification.

“With a shortage of Special Education Certified teachers in the district, our CORE to SPED Bridge Program allows highly effective teachers interested in a Special Education Certification to receive targeted professional development to achieve this goal,” said Dennis Jackson, HISD Recruitment and Selection Senior Recruiter. “Overall, the CORE to SPED Bridge Program allows the district to ensure we have qualified teachers in every single classroom meeting the needs of our special population students. It’s the responsibility of all educators to ensure we are meeting the needs of all students.”

The CORE to SPED Bridge Program cohort offers a one-time $2,500 stipend to participants who then become eligible for additional critical shortage stipends during the current school year. These stipends usually amount to $5,000 per year.

There are only 20 spots available in each cohort, which prides itself on providing intensive training to support members in passing the EC-12 SPED certification exam. The cohort consists of two Saturday classes that equip participants with two online practice tests and study guide workbooks. The cohort also offers reimbursement for the EC-12 SPED Certification exam registration fee.

More than half of the cohort members for the previous session moved from general education to SPED for the 2022-2023 school year.

The current cohort is in session, but application dates for the next CORE to SPED cohort will be announced soon.

To learn more about the CORE to SPED Bridge Program, visit their website or complete the application here.