Jefferson County Schools (JCS) has expanded its international teacher presence to 31 through the Educator Preparation International (EPI) Program for the 2025–26 school year, nearly doubling the 16 teachers from the previous year.
All EPI teachers are certified in their home countries and must also earn West Virginia Department of Education certification. JCS EPI teachers boast impressive credentials, including one PhD and eight master's degrees; all others hold a bachelor's degree. They also bring experience: 29 have more than 5 years in the classroom, and 19 of those have over 10 years.
Across the U.S., the teacher shortage continues to grow. Nearly 1 in 8 teaching positions nationwide are unfilled or staffed by underqualified educators, and 74% of public schools reported difficulty hiring certified teachers last year (NCES, 2024).
JCS's Innovative Approach
By expanding its EPI Teacher Program, JCS is directly confronting this national shortage with a strategic, high-quality solution:
Tapping into the global talent pool enables the efficient recruitment of experienced, certified educators into classrooms.
The dual certification requirement for their home country and the WVDE ensures rigorous quality standards.
The program places seasoned professionals into service, with most having more than five years of experience—a resource many districts lack.
Dr. Chuck Bishop, superintendent, said, "Our expansion of the EPI Teacher Program reflects JCS's commitment to innovation and excellence. These experienced educators bring global perspectives while meeting the same standards as all West Virginia certified teachers. We have had several teachers placed through our EPI program recognized at board meetings by their school’s administration, and 2 have been named WV EPI Teacher of the Year."
As noted, several JCS international teachers have already been recognized for their excellence. Leslie Concepcion at T.A. Lowery Elementary School and Sherlyn Narsolis at Charles Town Middle School were honored by their principals as All-Star Staff Award recipients during the 2024–25 school year. In addition, Cosmas Mutoto and Racquel Turner, both of Jefferson High School (JHS), have been recognized by EPI as West Virginia Teacher of the Year.
Turner, who teaches art, said she enjoys the variety of perspectives her students bring to class.
“My students come from so many backgrounds, and art becomes a unifying subject for them,” she said.
Her colleague at JHS, Spanish teacher Aileen Camargo Diaz, shares that same commitment to connecting students through learning.
“I want my students to see the beauty of learning another language and how it strengthens the mind,” she explained. “I ask them questions that spark reflection, so they can see how being open to new experiences can enrich their lives.”
Math teacher Edwin Nguluvhe, also at JHS, said teaching gives him the chance to share his own story with students.
“They want to know more about me, my country, and what life is like in Zimbabwe,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce different approaches to learning.”
At Washington High School, math teacher Joseph Caguimbaga shared how the EPI program motivates both students and teachers to do their best.
“I’ve learned so many new ways to keep students engaged,” he said. “JCS gives us wonderful opportunities to grow as teachers through professional development.”
Caguimbaga added, “I’m thankful for the opportunity JCS has given me and other international teachers. We’re working hard to give students here the best education we can.