SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) To get more minority teachers for Sioux Falls increasingly diverse school district, you've got to go to the source.
Schools Chief Brian Maher says you talk to the minority kids themselves.
"We're out and about right now talking to kids in the high schools about looking at education as a profession. We've had some luck. We've had some success," Dr. Maher updates KELO Radio's Greg Belfrage Show.
About 25 years ago, Sioux Falls public schools were 94 percent white. Today that's down to 65 percent. Back then 98 percent of the teachers were white. 98 percent of the teachers are still white today.
But it's not like the school district is refusing to hire non-white teachers. Not many apply. Most of the increase in Sioux Falls non-white population is immigration from other countries.
So Maher says you try to reach the children.
"Really, growing you're own. If you have a student population that is 35 percent minority population, entice that population to go into education."
Maher says there is a concerted effort now to talk to minority kids in the upper grades to get them interested in teaching careers.