Increasing Latino Teachers

The NEA reported a couple of years ago that there is a gap in representation among minority teachers. For Latinos the school populations nationally is 16% while only 5% of teachers are Latino. In Northwest Arkansas we have started an initiative to help the public schools increase their Latino teaching staff. We would like to hear your ideas on the topic. Our plan has three parts; 1) grow our own through scholarships, 2) help to transition professionals to a teaching career, and 3) to recruit from states that have larger numbers of education graduates and provide transportation and other benefits to encourage them to consider Arkansas. Suggestions can be sent directly to me at latinoteachers@yahoo.com along with any inquiries.