DPS welcomes international teachers

This past week, Danville Public Schools welcomed several international teachers to teach at schools division wide for the 24-25 school year.

For a third year, DPS has partnered with organizations, such as Educational Partners International (EPI) and Participate Learning, to hire teachers from several different countries for an opportunity to teach in Danville. DPS joins other Virginia districts, such as Mecklenburg, Newport News, Roanoke, Prince George, Greensville, Prince Edward, Brunswick, Accomack, and more, in participating in programs that foster both high quality teachers and authentic cultural exchange.

Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Natalie Halloran has been excited to lead this initiative annually since its start three years ago. During that time, DPS has welcomed more than 57 teachers and their families from countries such as Jamaica, the Philippines, El Salvador, Columbia, Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, and Ghana to the division to teach. The division partners with the host programs ensure that teachers obtain the correct credentials and resources needed to teach in Virginia. The company also organizes travel to Danville from the teacher’s home country and verifies their financial capacity for an international move.

At DPS, the Human Resources Department works with local agencies to ensure that teachers have opportunities to obtain housing and other resources, just like the division welcomes any new teachers moving to Danville to teach at DPS, regardless of where they are coming from.

Our new teachers arrived in Danville on Thursday, August 15 at a predetermined location with a program representative to iron out details of housing and transportation. All 28 new teachers have obtained housing in Danville. Prior to arriving, individuals were given an advance to assist with costs.

While this group of international teachers has a coordinator from their programs, teachers do not usually have outside representatives to help with the transition to DPS. We are thankful that EPI has offered a coordinator to support teachers new to Danville.

On Friday, August 16, they began work at DPS and will enter their classrooms next week after their five-day orientation. Their classes are currently being taught by DPS instructional coaches and certified central office staff. We are so excited to welcome them to our school communities and thank everyone who has embraced all of our new teachers.