MPS encouraging retired educators to return; full or part time

MPS looks to hire recently retired teachers

Come out of retirement, that's what Milwaukee Public Schools is asking any teacher who has recently retired.

MILWAUKEE - Come out of retirement, that's what Milwaukee Public Schools is asking any teacher who has recently retired.

"I just enjoy the classroom," said Astrid Wagner.

She's retired from teaching at MPS. She is now a substitute, enjoying retirement, and working when she can.

The same goes for Kristin Cheever, a retired MPS art teacher.

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MPS encouraging retired educators to come back

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius and Milwaukee Teachers Education Association President Ingrid Walker-Henry announced Thursday a campaign to encourage retired educators to come back to the district and teach.

"I feel good knowing I helped in some way," said Cheever.

The two retirees are hoping other retired teachers will feel incentivized to come back to the classroom.

Looking to fill vacancies

What we know:

It's part of a district-wide campaign to fill about 90 vacancies.

"We are casting a really wide net to try and get as many teachers as we can at MPS," said MPS Chief Human Resources Officer Dominick Maniscalco.

Learning at MPS

Because of national shortages, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says they are looking for licensed retired teachers to come back either full or part-time depending on what their pension allows.

And they'll get a $1,000 bonus.

"There might be two retired friends who work together during their school years and want to share a classroom. We are welcoming that as well," said Cassellius.

Cassellius says the greatest needs are for middle-school grades, art, music, physical education, and special education.

Positions available at MPS

"Teachers who are trained, experienced, know their subject matter, know their grade level matter, know the standards," added Cassellius.

Already, the district has excessed 181 positions at MPS Central Office and moved 40 teachers to the classroom to fill some of those vacancies.

Cassellius says that's helped, but not at a fast enough pace.

The district says they are adding more employee recruitment events to answer any questions those retirees might have.

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)

Apply for a position

What you can do:

Retirees can apply for any position. Head to the MPS website to learn more.