‘Homegrown Talent’: Newark Teens Offered Teaching Contracts At HS Graduation

NEWARK, NJ — When Miguel Rodriguez Bermudez walked onto the stage to accept his high school diploma, the Newark student also got an unusual surprise: a $74,000 per year contract to become a teacher in his home city.

Bermudez is one of 34 teens who recently received conditional job offers from the Newark Public School District – which will take effect once they finish college and earn their other teaching certifications.

Most of the graduates are also alums of the Red Hawks Rising Teacher Academy, a dual enrollment program developed in partnership with Montclair State University and the American Federation of Teachers. Through the program, students get a leg up preparing for a career in education.

Bermudez, a graduate of Arts High School, has received a specialized offer from the district to return as a music teacher – which was announced as he took the stage at a graduation ceremony (watch the video below).

Meanwhile, another student – Alliana Abreu of Barringer High School – has received a specialized offer to become an athletic trainer for the district.

Bermudez and Abreu are just two of the success stories that are shaping up from the Class of 2025, district administrators say.

“These contracts represent our investment in homegrown talent and a long-term strategy to build a pipeline of teachers who reflect and understand our students,” Superintendent Roger León said.

“We’re not just celebrating graduates today – we’re welcoming future colleagues,” he added.

• See Related: Larger Starting Teacher Salaries In Newark Are Helping To Retain Staff

Board of Education president Hasani Council said the graduating teens are “role models and leaders” who will give back to the same schools and neighborhoods that shaped them.

“This is what it looks like when we invest in our young people, grow our own talent, and build a future that starts at home,” Council said.

Yolanda Mendez, assistant superintendent of human resource services, said the tentative contracts are a sign that the district is “nurturing talent from within.”

“We are proud to offer these contracts to these outstanding young people as a pathway back to our classrooms,” Mendez said.

• See Related: Inspiring Newark Teen Accepted To Nearly Every Ivy League University
• See Related: Newark High Schools Keep Turning Out Ivy League Success Stories

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