SAN ANTONIO – The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc among educators, many of whom have already left the classroom.

Now, administrators in several San Antonio-area school districts are taking steps to keep their teachers coming to work and getting new faces on their feet.

Despite being days away from Christmas vacation, school districts like Edgewood ISD are focused on filling teaching positions.

“We currently have around 34 vacancies, and levels vary from elementary to high school,” said Mary Cantú, director of the district’s human resources department.

At a time when many teachers decided to change careers due to the stress of the pandemic, on Monday afternoon a handful of applicants lined up for on-site interviews with teachers.

“I really feel like it’s important that we invest in the kids, and it’s hard to do that outside of the classroom,” said Justin Venable, who is currently a teacher at a school in charter.

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Venable admits that teaching, especially during the pandemic, has not been easy. Now her hope is to continue teaching in a public school district.

“I feel like the pandemic has increased stress levels for everyone. I never found it to be easy and easy work. It has always been a challenge, ”he said.

In the case of Juan Campos, he wants to go back to his roots at Edgewood ISD.

“In my 27 years (of teaching), I worked here,” Campos said.

Campos has enjoyed his retirement for the past 10 years, but is ready to return to school.

“I (saw) a need, and thought I could help by coming back. The fear that the children will fall behind because we don’t have anyone in the classroom with them to teach them, I think that’s mainly my concern, ”he said.

New Edgewood ISD hires receive enrollment bonus to tackle teacher shortage. At least one candidate for Monday’s career fair was immediately hired.

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“(At Edgewood ISD) we have a login bonus of $ 3,000 valid until January 31, 2022,” Cantú said. “For bilingual (teachers), this is an additional registration bonus of $ 1,500, plus a stipend of $ 3,000.”

Bonuses are for new full-time hires at Edgewood.

Harlandale ISD also applauds the work of their teachers.

Last month, the district announced that full-time employees would receive a retention allowance of $ 1,000.

Other districts are also increasing the salaries of substitute teachers.

The board of directors of SAISD recently voted to increase the daily salary of substitutes up to $ 225, depending on the subject, days and grade taught.

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