Attracting and retaining a racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse teacher workforce is vital to reflect and honor the diversity of Minnesota’s student population. The goal of Come Teach in Minnesota is to support districts and charter schools in recruiting and retaining teachers who are American Indian or teachers of color to move to and teach in Minnesota.

The Come Teach in Minnesota Program provides funding for districts or charter schools to offer hiring bonuses for teachers who are American Indian or people of color who move to Minnesota from another state or country. Hiring bonuses can be offered to teachers who:

1. Immediately qualify for a Tier 2 or higher Minnesota license
2. Have moved to Minnesota
3. Belong to a racial or ethnic group that is underrepresented among teachers, compared to students in the district or school

Staff receiving a hiring bonus must be employed as a classroom teacher. Teachers on special assignment (TOSA), school nurses, guidance counselors, or other related-service personnel are not eligible for this program.

Enrollment Eligibility

Only Minnesota school districts, charter schools, intermediate districts or education cooperatives are eligible employers who can enroll for this program.

Hiring and Retention Bonus

Eligible employers may offer a hiring bonus up to $5,000 for eligible teachers. Additionally, if a teacher who received a hiring bonus successfully completes four years of service in the hiring district or charter school, that teacher can receive a retention bonus equal to their hiring bonus. A teacher must have a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Minnesota teaching license to qualify for the second half of the bonus. A district must prorate the second half of the bonus if the eligible teacher is nonrenewed due to reasons not having to do with teaching effectiveness or misconduct.

Enrollment Process 

1. Review program information: Before enrolling in this program, be sure to view the informational webinar conducted on November 1, 2023 (a link to the webinar is available upon request) and read the question and answer document found in the resource section below.
2. Determine Eligibility: The eligible entities for this program are Minnesota school districts, charter schools, intermediate districts and education cooperatives that employ classroom teachers, referred to collectively as “districts and schools.” Only these eligible entities can enroll in this program.  
3. Complete an Enrollment Form: All eligible districts and schools that submit an enrollment form to MDE may offer hiring bonuses to qualified teachers on a first come, first serve basis. Eligible programs must have an enrollment form on file in order to participate in the program. 
   

Resources