District reports progress on recruiting and retaining a more diverse teacher workforce

District Human Resources officials reported progress on recruiting and retaining educators at the Board of Education meeting. Jessica Kachess, Chief Human Resources Officer, and colleagues highlighted a year of intensified recruitment and retention strategies that the district says reduced classroom vacancies from 175 in earlier years to 34 this school year.

Key points from the presentation:
- Recruitment: The district attended 55 recruitment events during the 2025-26 season, including targeted outreach to historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions. Social-media and advertising campaigns reportedly produced more than 240,000 video views.
- Hiring and retention: The district hired 117 teachers through its primary recruitment campaign and reported overall instructional retention improved to 95.7%, while new-teacher retention rose to 87.3% (2025 data vs. 82% in 2024).
- Pathways: AACPS expanded alternative licensure and in-district pathways (including a resident-teacher licensure program approved by the Maryland State Department of Education) and offered a career-ladder pay option that 48% of new hires selected.

Speakers acknowledged remaining challenges: relocation costs for out-of-area candidates (state relocation incentives of about $2,000 were described as insufficient for many prospective hires) and national declines in interest in teaching. District staff said they are focusing recruitment closer to home and developing school-based supports (mentorships, right-start advisers and leadership workshops) to improve retention.

Why it matters: Teacher recruitment and retention directly affect classroom staffing, program continuity and student outcomes. Board members praised gains but noted the need to sustain investments and supports to keep early-career teachers beyond the critical first five years.

Next steps: HR will continue recruitment activities, expand career-ladder enrollment, and deliver additional principal- and mentor-focused supports to improve early-career retention.