HPS has a financial offer not to refuse

By Charles Sercombe
If you are special education teacher, or even on the way to earning a degree in that field, the Hamtramck Public School District has an offer for you.
The district needs to fill several positions, and will give successful candidates a signing bonus of up to $15,000. It gets even better. The bonus can be offered annually for up to five years.
The district issued a press release on Wednesday, saying that the HPS teachers’ union (the Hamtramck Federation of Teachers) agreed to the deal in what is formally called a Memorandum of Understanding.
“We hope passionate and compassionate educators apply for the open positions and take advantage of the opportunity to advance their own education,” said Interim Superintendent Nabil Nagi in the press release.
The positions include school psychologist, school social worker and speech pathologist.
The district is offering jobs to those who are special education teachers or special education student teachers.
“Candidates can hold endorsements for cognitive impairment, learning disabilities and/or emotional impairment, or teachers who are in a degree program earning an Autism endorsement,” the press release said.
There are some strings attached to the offer.
The press release explained: “All candidates are required to successfully complete a program leading to the awarding of an Autism endorsement, pass a required certification test and record the additional endorsement on their teaching licenses, for which they will be financially compensated.”
The press release went on to say:
The signing bonus will take effect on the date of hire and will be prorated, based on the total number of days worked in a fiscal year. In return for the signing bonus, teachers are expected to:

• Matriculate in the accredited program through a higher education institution within one year of hire
• Successfully complete the degree within two years of matriculation
• Pass the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support certification test
• Add the new endorsement on their teaching certificate
• Enter into a binding five-year commitment to employment as a special education teacher assigned to the ASD Categorical Classroom
The HPS special services offer programs to those who are 3 to 26 years old, but they must first go an evaluation.
Nagi added: “The team at HPS is like no other. There is an immediate sense of belonging for all students, teachers and staff members who enter our buildings. From diversity in culture, race, personalities, and abilities, HPS is truly a place where everyone feels seen and appreciated. …”
To apply as an ASD teacher at HPS, please visit: https://www.applitrack.com/resa/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?district=37997.
Posted September 23, 2022