In an attempt to alleviate a stubborn shortage of teachers, nearly half of South Dakota school districts now employ international teachers who arrive on visa programs with strong academic backgrounds and extensive classroom experience.
A South Dakota News Watch survey of the state Department of Education revealed about 450 international teachers from the Philippines, Columbia and China are classroom-certified in South Dakota. The state saw a record 138 new certificates issued to international teachers in the 2023-24 school year.
South Dakota school administrators say the international teachers generally arrive with excellent English skills, good attitudes and work ethics, and strong credentials. One Filipino special education teacher in the Crow Creek Tribal School arrived in the fall with a bachelor’s, master’s and two doctorates in education and curriculum.
Teachers come to South Dakota on either the J-1 or HB-1 non-immigrant visa programs that allow them to stay five years or more.
Local school officials say the international teachers integrate well and are generally supported by the students, parents and residents where they work.
