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How International Teachers Are Helping Students Thrive: 5 Lessons from SouthWest Metro Intermediate District
Every student deserves a qualified, caring teacher in their classroom. But with the national teacher shortage reaching critical levels, many districts are struggling to meet that promise. At SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288 in Minnesota, Superintendent Dr. Jeff Horton is tackling this challenge head-on by embracing international teacher recruitment.
In a recent webinar co-hosted by the Minnesota Association of School Personnel Administrators (MASPA) and ETS Praxis, Dr. Horton shared how international educators are not only filling vacancies but transforming student experiences. His approach to integrating international teachers into his school community offers a powerful model for other district leaders working to ensure every student has access to the high-quality educators they deserve.
1. Every Classroom Filled Means Every Student Supported
When classrooms go unfilled, students suffer. Learning is disrupted, class sizes grow, and existing teachers are stretched thin. Dr. Horton made it clear: “It’s not acceptable not to be fully staffed.” By leveraging international talent, his district went from 33 percent of positions unfilled in July to fully staffed by the start of the school year.
That meant students walked into classrooms with qualified teachers ready to teach, not substitutes or rotating staff. The result was more consistent instruction, stronger relationships, and better learning outcomes.
Students thrive when their teachers are energized, not exhausted. Dr. Horton emphasized how international teachers help relieve pressure on veteran staff, who are often asked to mentor new hires year after year. “They’re tired,” he said. “They can’t keep doing two jobs.”
By stabilizing the workforce, international teachers allow experienced educators to focus on their own classrooms. That leads to better instruction for all students.
3. Diverse Teachers Create Richer Learning Environments
International educators bring more than credentials. They bring global perspectives, cultural insights, and new ways of thinking. This enriches the classroom experience for students, helping them become more culturally aware, empathetic, and prepared for a global society.
The J-1 Visa is a cultural exchange visa, and Dr. Horton explained that the international teachers in SouthWest Metro have “made me culturally aware of not just their communities but of the communities and students we serve. They help me grow as a leader every day. Both the teacher and the community are strengthened by the experience.”
4. High Retention Means Long-Term Student Impact
Unlike many early-career teachers who leave the profession within a few years, international teachers are deeply committed. With retention rates above 90 percent, they provide the consistency students need to build trust, grow academically, and feel supported year after year.
The J-1 Visa enables teachers to stay for five years, and Dr. Horton said that nearly all international teachers remain for the full commitment. This continuity is especially critical for students in high-need areas like special education, STEM, and English language learning—all areas where Praxis helps districts place international talent.
5. A Human-Centered Approach Builds Stronger School Communities
Dr. Horton has created an extensive onboarding process called “The Minnesota Way” that is human-first and designed with students in mind. By ensuring international teachers are well-supported—with housing, transportation, and cultural orientation—he sets them up for success in the classroom. When teachers feel welcomed and confident, they are better able to connect with students, adapt to their needs, and contribute meaningfully to the school community.
Let’s Put Students First
At Praxis, we believe that every staffing decision should be rooted in one goal: improving student outcomes. That’s why we partner with districts to recruit, place, and support exceptional international educators who are ready to make a difference.
If your students are facing the consequences of unfilled classrooms, it’s time to explore international teacher recruitment as a strategic solution — not just to fill seats, but to elevate learning.
Contact the Praxis team today to learn how we can help you bring world-class educators into your classrooms and give every student the teacher they deserve.
By The Praxis Editorial Team
Using the Tomorrow’s Teacher blog, the writers, thought leaders, and researchers who comprise the Praxis Editorial Team focus on the pedagogical issues that matter most to educators. The goal: to create and sustain a constant dialogue, and to unite the interests of all those who value teaching and learning.
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