According to EdSource, the West Contra Costa Unified School District "had 99 unfilled teacher vacancies out of about 1,500 certificated positions" when it began this academic year. The problem of teacher retention is larger than teacher vacancies, with many positions in WCCUSD being filled by long-term substitutes instead of high-quality permanent teachers. An educator in another EdSource article stated, "Some (students) have gone several years in a row being assigned to a class without a permanent, qualified teacher..."

Recognizing the importance of having high-quality teachers, I am running for County Board of Education to ensure they have the resources and support they need to thrive in their positions. I will advocate for higher teacher salaries, ensure teacher grievances are acknowledged, and work with community partners to expand our student-to-teacher pipeline.

My plan includes using the training and resources the County Office of Education has to ensure our new teachers have the necessary tools. One such program is the Teacher Induction Program (TIP), which "is dedicated to providing new teachers with an individualized, authentic, job-embedded, and equity-centered induction experience that is facilitated by highly skilled mentors."

As a County Board member, I will approach teacher retention from as many angles as necessary. Supporting our teachers is critical to helping our students on their path to success.