DISTRICT TO RECRUIT TEACHERS OVERSEAS DISTRICT GOES GLOBAL TO RECRUIT TEACHERS.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer PALMDALE - The Palmdale School District's search for bilingual bi·lin·gual adj. 1. a. Using or able to use two languages, especially with equal or nearly equal fluency. b. teachers will extend across the Atlantic to Spain, where a recruiter will be sent in search of seven instructors. The district will search for Spanish teachers through a 14-year-old program organized by the state Department of Education and Spain's Ministry of Education and Culture. The program brings teachers to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. from Spain for three-year stints. ``It's at no cost to the district. They actually fly an interviewer from the district over to Spain,'' school board President Larry Logsdon said Wednesday. ``It opens up a door between the two countries, and it adds to our diversity.'' The board voted 3-2 Tuesday night to participate in the program. Trustee Sheldon Epstein, who, with Fred Thompson, cast the dissenting dis·sent intr.v. dis·sent·ed, dis·sent·ing, dis·sents 1. To differ in opinion or feeling; disagree. 2. To withhold assent or approval. n. 1. votes, said he thinks the district can find qualified bilingual candidates in the United States. He added that voter VOTER. One entitled to a vote; an elector. approval of Proposition 227, which prohibits teachers from instructing students in a language other than English, created a pool of qualified bilingual teachers. ``We are talking seven individuals. Are we sending out a person for a vacation or for recruitment?'' Epstein said. ``Going 6,000 miles to recruit teachers when we have qualified people here doesn't make sense to me. We ought to call these the `Magnificent Seven,' because they must be an outstanding group.'' Thompson also said recruiting teachers from Spain is not necessary. ``Even though it's not costing the district any money to finance the trip, it's ridiculous because we have qualified bilingual instructors all over the United States,'' Thompson said. ``I can't believe we can't find seven qualified bilingual teachers within the boundaries of the United States.'' Aside from cultural differences, Thompson said, teachers in Spain speak Castilian Spanish Castilian Spanish refers to some dialects of the Spanish language as spoken in Spain, also known as Spanish Spanish or Spanish from Spain. Although castellano , which is different from the Spanish spoken here. ``The fact that it's free is a very poor excuse. A lot of things are free. Ignorance is free,'' Thompson said. More than 3,800 of the district's 20,000 students - nearly 20 percent - have limited English-speaking skills. Under the district's biliteracy program, half of the students' instruction is in English and half in their native language. Tuesday's meeting was attended by representatives of the Spanish Consulate Consulate, 1799–1804, in French history, form of government established after the coup of 18 Brumaire (Nov. 9–10, 1799), which ended the Directory. and a Paramount School District teacher who has been participating in the program for 11 years. The visiting teacher visiting teacher n. A teacher who visits and instructs sick or disabled children in a public school system. told the board she has had a positive experience and has received two master's degrees master's degree n. An academic degree conferred by a college or university upon those who complete at least one year of prescribed study beyond the bachelor's degree. Noun 1. and is working toward her doctorate, Logsdon said. Logsdon also noted that the district is struggling to recruit teachers, with a shortage of 200 projected for the next school year. |
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