Bilingual Teachers Needed: St. Lucie Schools Host Hiring Event
St. Lucie Public Schools is facing a critical shortage of bilingual professionals who are trained to support students in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. These educators play a vital role in helping students whose primary language is not English meet the same academic standards as their native English-speaking peers.
Students enrolled in ESOL programs are required to take the same tests and fulfill the same graduation requirements as other students, but they receive additional support through the program. Unfortunately, the district is currently missing 22 ESOL positions, which includes 17 Haitian Creole-speaking professionals and five Spanish speakers. This gap has created significant challenges for both students and staff.
“Our babies are struggling,” said Aleida “Lily” Trinidad, the ESOL Coordinator, in an interview with TCPalm. The shortage is attributed to a 10% increase in the number of English language learners since September 2024, according to district data. This surge has placed additional pressure on the existing staff and highlighted the urgent need for more qualified professionals.
To address this issue, the district will host a hiring event at 9 a.m. on October 30 at the St. Lucie Public Schools administration building, located at 9461 Brandywine Lane in Port St. Lucie. Prospective candidates must have at least a high school diploma, pass a test in both English and their language of instruction, and complete an interview with the principal at their assigned school.
Once hired, ESOL professionals will be embedded in classrooms to assist English-language learners alongside regular teachers. The starting salary ranges from $24,556 for instructors without a two-year degree to $42,156 for more experienced professionals. Trinidad emphasized that the job offers benefits such as medical coverage and teacher hours, allowing employees to leave at 3 p.m. and enjoy summers off. This flexibility can be particularly appealing to college students or those new to the education field.
Despite these opportunities, the ESOL program faces another challenge: stigma. Many parents misunderstand the purpose of the program, often reacting negatively when they learn their child is enrolled in ESOL. Trinidad explained that some parents call in asking, “I don’t want my kid in ESOL. Why is my kid in ESOL?” They fear their child is being labeled or excluded from regular activities.
However, the program does not remove students from class or isolate them from typical student activities. Instead, it provides essential support, such as having a trained professional in the classroom and allowing extra time during tests. Students also have access to dictionaries and other resources to help them succeed.
What students gain from ESOL
John Cesar, who moved to the United States from Haiti at age four, was enrolled in the ESOL program from kindergarten through fifth grade. His experience with the program made him feel like he had a chance to excel academically. “I actually thought I was special because I got extra help,” Cesar told TCPalm. “I didn’t think of it as a label because I picked up English so quickly, but not every student was so lucky.”
This understanding of the struggles faced by English language learners inspired Cesar to pursue a career with the Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County, where he is known as “Book Man.” Through his alter ego, Cesar dons a cape and mask to promote the love of reading by giving out free books and helping students connect with stories they enjoy.
“I was never great at reading,” Cesar said. “But I love to provide kids with the opportunities that I didn’t get.”
What is ESOL?
ESOL is a state-funded instructional program designed to help K-12 students who do not speak English as their first language catch up academically. While the program is commonly associated with Spanish and Creole-speaking students, it can accommodate any language. The students in the program are referred to as “English Language Learners.”
According to district data, there are approximately 7,800 English-learning students in St. Lucie County Public Schools, making up 15% of all students. Most of these students are U.S.-born, with parents from other countries. In total, the district serves students from 62 different birth countries.
Each public school in St. Lucie County has an ESOL program, despite the staffing shortages. “We have to support our students,” said Fort Pierce City Commissioner Curtis Johnson. “These are our future leaders, so we want to make sure they have a solid foundation.”
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