JACKSON, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – While many Michigan Public Schools have endured a general decline in public school teacher application and retention, Jackson County has ventured a new incentive to garner more interest in the vocation: paying teachers a $10,000 signing bonus.

The Jackson Public Schools are offering qualified applicants the chance of a $10,000 signing bonus that would be paid across three yearly installments to encourage teachers to join the district and stay there for an extended period.

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But the shortage and retention of teachers is not central to Jackson County alone.

A 2022 report by the Michigan Education Association (MEA) recorded 92% of schools say substitutes are hard to come by, but only slightly less, 71% saw a shortage in full-time teaching positions.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s new budget includes a $19.6 billion investment in K-12 education, and also incentive programs for those seeking to become teachers. One program called the Future Educator Fellowship, offers qualified prospective teachers up to $10,000 in tuition per year and $2,500 for future Michigan educators per year. Those further in the schooling process can earn $9,600 stipends per semester while student teaching.

One of the caveats of these scholarships is that recipients must work a certain number of years as a public school teacher, otherwise the scholarship is converted to a 0% interest rate loan with a repayment term of 10 years. This scholarship similarly incentivizes teachers to join in a community and stay there for an extended period.

The MEA report recorded that 91% of teachers were concerned about shortages of teachers and staff, 88% were concerned about student behavioral issues and mental health, while 84% of teachers were very concerned about teacher and staff pay and benefits.