‘Cultural exchange’ with Dominican Republic consulate to bring more bilingual teachers to NYC

The New York City Education Department is striking up a partnership with the consulate of the Dominican Republic to bring more Spanish-speaking teachers to public schools.

The “cultural exchange” program will bring 25 Dominican teachers to city schools this year, and another 25 next year, according to the DOE.

“The educators from the Dominican Republic will improve our ability to serve the needs of our growing Spanish-speaking student population and increase the diversity and cultural competency of our workforce,” said Schools Chancellor David Banks.

The program — a joint effort between the Dominican Consulate General in New York, the Association of Dominican-American Supervisors and Administrators and the city Education Department — allows Dominican teachers to qualify for U.S. cultural exchange visas if they commit to teaching in city schools.

The population of Spanish-speaking students in the city school system is enormous, and bilingual teachers have long been in short supply. Nearly 23% of all public school kids speak Spanish at home, according to Education Department officials.

The new staffers will be placed in schools with high numbers of Spanish-speaking students, and could be particularly well-suited to support students who recently immigrated from the Dominican Republic, the Education Department said.

Eligio Jaquez, the consul general of the Dominican Republic in New York City, said the program will also benefit the incoming teachers.

“The launching of the program marks a historic moment for the Spanish-speaking community, which will increase opportunities to embrace our cultures, facilitating a global exchange,” Jaquez said.

The initiative comes as the city has seen an influx of at least 1.400 kids of asylum-seeking families from Central and South America — many sent on buses by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and in need of bilingual teachers and additional Spanish language support.