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FAQs: Teacher Recruitment and Retention by GlobalEd Solutions
- Jun 16
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 20
Struggling to keep your classrooms fully staffed? GlobalEd Solutions offers practical strategies for recruiting and retaining top talent, including:
Sponsoring skilled international educators on H-1B visas
Cultivating local paraprofessionals through our Teacher Aid Academy
Partnering with colleges to create alternative teaching pathways
Whether you want to enhance your pipeline with experienced H-1B educators, empower local support staff, or utilize scholarship-backed teacher preparation programs, this guide provides practical answers and actionable steps for building a stable, high-quality teaching workforce that grows with your community.
What are the consequences of relying on substitutes and uncertified teachers?
Stopgap measures, such as long-term substitutes and under-certified hires, are costly band-aids that hinder student learning. Students in classrooms led by long-term substitutes are more likely to fall behind, as these substitutes often lack complete training and certification. Research from Texas Tech University found that students lose about 3–4 months of learning when their teacher is both new and uncertified. This reliance on under-prepared staff leads to stalled academic progress, destabilized schools due to teacher turnover, and a loss of community faith.
How does GlobalEd Solutions address teacher shortages, specifically through H-1B visas?
GlobalEd Solutions addresses teacher shortages by recruiting highly skilled international teachers via the H-1B visa program. This program offers a viable and legal pathway to attract qualified educators from an untapped global talent pool. GlobalEd Solutions offers two primary hiring models: Direct Placement and Contract Staffing, both of which utilize H-1B visas. They streamline the entire recruitment process, including candidate sourcing, vetting, certification, visa processing, deployment support, and ongoing performance management.
What are the benefits of hiring H-1B international teachers?
H-1B teachers are highly qualified, credentialed educators who must meet rigorous educational requirements, often holding degrees and equivalent state teaching credentials. They are professionals with years of experience, and international teaching programs typically require several years of experience. These teachers demonstrate emotional dedication and high retention, with one cultural exchange program boasting a 95% retention rate.
Hiring H-1B teachers is a responsible policy choice, as U.S. labor law requires schools to pay them the prevailing wage, ensuring they are a "quality fix" rather than a "cheap fix". Additionally, they contribute to staff diversity and cultural exchange, enriching the educational experience for students.
What makes an H-1B visa a more sustainable option for international teacher hiring?
For schools seeking to address teacher shortages, the H-1B visa is presented as a superior option for stability and long-term staffing, offering an initial three-year validity that can be extended to six years, and a clear pathway to permanent residency, allowing for predictable workforce planning and direct employer sponsorship.
In contrast, the J-1 visa, primarily designed for short-term cultural exchange, typically caps at three to five years, often includes a mandatory two-year home residency requirement, and does not offer a direct path to permanent residency. This leads to high turnover and requires third-party sponsorship, which dilutes employer control. This distinction is further emphasized by the recent temporary pause on scheduling new J-1 visa interviews due to expanded social media screening, which creates significant uncertainty and potential delays for districts relying on J-1 teachers. It reinforces the H-1B as a more stable and reliable alternative for securing qualified international educators.
J-1 Visa Pause: What you need to know
Are there successful examples of integrating international teachers into U.S. schools?
Yes, numerous districts have successfully integrated international teachers and seen tangible improvements in student outcomes and staffing stability.
Polk County, Florida: A middle school improved its grade from a "D" to a "C" after bringing in international teachers to fill critical vacancies, leading them to welcome more.
Arizona: As of Fall 2024, 598 teaching positions in Arizona were filled by teachers from outside the U.S., preventing classrooms from going unstaffed or being led by substitutes.
Dallas Independent School District, Texas: Dallas ISD is proactively sponsoring H-1B visas for bilingual (English/Spanish) and special education teachers for the 2025–2026 school year to address persistent shortages in these critical areas.
Baltimore City Public Schools, Maryland: Successfully brought in 27 international teachers in 2022 and an additional 41 in 2023 for high-need subjects like math, science, and special education, forming a supportive cohort.
What is the Teacher Preparation Training provided by GlobalEd Solutions, and what are its outcomes?
Content and Structure: The program provides 45 hours of online synchronous instruction, led by faculty from NAU's College of Education. Coursework includes:
Introduction to the U.S. Education System and History of American Education.
Pertinent Topics in Today's Classroom in the United States.
Introduction to Special Education, including basics, differentiated instruction, and Child Study Teams/IEPs.
Classroom Management & Instructional Strategies, covering ethics of teaching, first days of school, various management strategies, mandatory reporting, and effective instructional strategies.
Instruction typically occurs via Zoom over 3.5-4 weeks, with meetings held approximately 11-13 hours per week, and includes guest speakers and virtual activities.
Two virtual field work days with a local school are typically included.
Outcomes: Upon successful completion, participants earn a NAU (non-credit) micro-credential and receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by the Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives at NAU. This micro-credential also comes with a Digital Badge for professional online display.
English Proficiency: Participants should have sufficient English proficiency to interact with NAU faculty, as NAU does not administer English proficiency exams or provide translation services.
Optional Add-on: An Intensive English Add-on is available, offering 15 hours of English instruction plus a personal session by NAU's Programs in Intensive English, which covers U.S. educational terms, online learning strategies, classroom management, and communication with parents.
AI in classrooms: A comprehensive curriculum and training program for educators designed to meet several urgent needs and opportunities in K-12 education, greatly benefiting teachers by providing essential skills and resources for a changing technological landscape, particularly in AI technology.
What are the best practices for integrating international teachers into the classroom?
Successful integration of international teachers involves:
Strong mentorship and onboarding: Ensuring a solid introduction to the U.S. school system, state standards, and community norms.
Retention strategies: Encouraging extensions and transitions to permanent residency, and fostering a sense of belonging by celebrating cultural diversity and connecting teachers with local communities.
Compliance and community buy-in: Diligently following all labor and immigration rules, paying fair salaries, and being transparent with local stakeholders, emphasizing that international hires complement U.S. recruitment efforts. Providing in-person and virtual mentor support, including onsite sessions, biweekly/monthly sessions, and quarterly on-site visits during the first year of employment.
What services does GlobalEd Solutions provide to international teachers (candidates) for H-1B visas?
GlobalEd Solutions offers comprehensive support to facilitate a seamless transition to U.S. employment. Services include:
Onboarding: Documentation processing, employment history verification, background checks, and application resources with expert guidance.
Teacher Preparation Training: 45 hours of online synchronous instruction from Northern Arizona University (NAU) on the U.S. education system, special education, and classroom management.
Certification and Background Check: Processing state teaching certification and state-mandated background checks.
H-1B Petition Filing: Gathering and submitting all necessary documents to USCIS for the H-1B petition, with regular updates.
U.S. Visa Interview Processing Assistance: Coordination of interview scheduling, documentation verification, and preparation guidance.
Overseas Employment Certificate Processing Assistance: Facilitating exit clearance procedures, particularly for Filipino instructors.
Shared Deployment: Airport reception, hotel accommodations, initial U.S. document processing, U.S. Cultural Acclimation and Personal Finance Management courses, and housing coordination.
Post-Arrival Mentorship: Ongoing virtual mentoring during the first year to ease cultural transition and promote professional growth. Optional paid programs are available for more extensive support.
Performance Tracking: Ongoing evaluation of each educator through their GlobalHire platform.
What support does GlobalEd Solutions provide for teachers after placement (post-deployment)?
GlobalEd Solutions provides comprehensive post-deployment support and performance tracking.
Mentorship Program: First-year professionals are paired with experienced mentors who guide them through the transition and provide support in the classroom environment.
In-Person and Virtual Mentor Support: This includes onsite mentoring (one session per week for the first two weeks), weekly follow-up for the first month, biweekly or monthly virtual or in-person sessions for the second and third months, and quarterly on-site visits during the first year of employment.
Performance Monitoring: A robust framework includes regular supervisor observations, peer reviews, direct feedback from district contacts, and a performance dashboard.
Ongoing Professional Development: Providers participate in regular training to stay current with regulations, techniques, and protocols.
Client Feedback Loop: Formal feedback processes are established with school districts to discuss outcomes and address challenges.
Performance Assessment and Feedback: Data from candidates and school administrators are analyzed by in-house academic experts to provide insightful feedback, typically on a quarterly or biannual basis.
There are optional paid programs for post-deployment support: Comprehensive Support and Virtual Support.
What policy recommendations does GlobalEd Solutions suggest for district leaders?
GlobalEd Solutions recommends that district leaders:
Make international teacher recruitment a policy priority within their strategic plans.
Lobby for supportive legislation that streamlines foreign credential recognition and provides incentives like funding for visa sponsorship.
Partner with experts like GlobalEd Solutions, which specializes in international teacher placement, visa processes, and cultural orientation.
Prioritize high-need subjects and schools for international recruitment, such as rural schools, STEM, special education, and bilingual education.
Foster an inclusive culture that welcomes and values international educators as full faculty members.
Continue investing in local talent while embracing H-1B teachers as a both/and solution to solve immediate crises and free up resources for long-term investments in the profession.
How does GlobalEd Solutions handle H-1B visa renewals?
GlobalEd Solutions' system monitors H-1B visa renewals for candidates, streamlining the process for seamless renewal. Automated emails are sent to schools and teachers eight months before each renewal date. GlobalEd Solutions oversees the renewal process through its GlobalHire tool, providing real-time updates to all parties. The school (employer) is responsible for covering the legal and administrative fees for visa renewals ($3,000, plus a $500 H-1B filing fee, totaling $3,500). The renewal application will not be submitted until the payments are completed. Visa renewals cannot be charged to candidates.
Local Staffing and Alternative Pathway to Teaching
GlobalEd Solutions collaborates with universities and colleges to create pathways for individuals pursuing careers in teaching.
What is the Teacher Aide Academy, and how does the community college partnership enhance it?
The Teacher Aide Academy is a specialized training initiative designed to equip local applicants with the necessary skills and qualifications to pursue employment as paraprofessionals in Arizona public and charter schools.
Problem Addressed: It addresses significant staffing shortages for paraprofessionals in Arizona, low starting salaries in education, the absence of formal paraprofessional training programs, and the underutilization of capable individuals, such as refugees and other qualified individuals seeking long-term employment.
Community College Partnership: The initiative leverages partnerships with community colleges, such as Pima Community College. This partnership is foundational for developing a robust, accredited preparatory training program. It provides credibility and academic rigor through the college's programs, experienced faculty, and certification pathways. This collaboration ensures compliance with Arizona Department of Education standards and federal requirements, providing participants with recognized credentials and certifications necessary for immediate employment.
Connection to Employment: Individuals completing the training are onboarded to GlobalEd Solutions' GlobalHire platform, where they create employment profiles, gain visibility with partner schools, and receive interview preparation and direct placement (not temporary staffing) into paraprofessional roles.
How is GlobalEd Solutions expanding local Teacher Pathways through key educational partnerships?
GlobalEd Solutions is proud to collaborate with Northern Arizona University (NAU) to offer a unique and supportive route into the teaching profession through the Teacher Academy. As part of this initiative, participants in the GlobalEd Teacher Aide Academy are encouraged to enroll in NAU’s Teacher Internship Preparation Program (TIPP)—a streamlined pathway that prepares aspiring educators for full teacher certification. Eligible candidates may also access financial assistance and scholarships, making the journey to becoming a certified teacher more affordable and accessible.
Additionally, GlobalEd Solutions partners with Pima Community College to promote the Teacher Education Intern Pathway, a program that enables participants to teach in a classroom setting while completing the required coursework for certification. This pathway provides the unique advantage of earning a full teacher salary while gaining hands-on experience and advancing toward full licensure.
Together, these partnerships ensure that individuals—especially those transitioning from roles like paraprofessionals or teacher aides—have multiple opportunities to build long-term careers in Arizona's public education system.
What types of positions does GlobalEd Solutions staff, particularly in special education, offer?
GlobalEd Solutions specializes in providing highly qualified special education service providers. They recruit and staff for positions including:
Special Education Teachers/Dyslexia Interventionists.
Teacher of Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Teacher (Visual Impairment).
Adaptive PE Teacher.
Related Services Providers (Direct Hire/Placement Only): Speech Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Psychologist, and Music Therapist.
They also aim to staff paraprofessionals through the Teacher Aide Academy.
What cooperative contract does GlobalEd Solutions currently have in place?
On June 12, 2025, Tempe Elementary School District No. 3 formally notified GlobalEd Solutions, LLC that it has been awarded the contract for Solicitation 26-03-31, titled “Special Education – Student Success.” throught the Strategic Alliance for Volume Expenditures (S.A.V.E.), a consortium of local governmental agencies across the State of Arizona.
