Oklahoma allocates $16M for teacher signing bonuses

Oklahoma continues to experience acute teacher shortages, most critically in grades PK-3 and special education.

To attract teachers to these critical shortage areas, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has allocated $16M for signing bonuses to new and returning teachers.

Certified teachers can earn up to a $50k signing bonus in return for a 5-year commitment to teaching in PK-3 or special education. They will receive a larger bonus for making a commitment to teach in a rural or high-poverty school.

Teachers are eligible for the bonus if they were not employed by an Oklahoma school district in the 2022-2023 school year.

Bonus figures and requirements include the following:

• < 3 years’ experience: $15k; rural or high-poverty district: $20k
• 3+ years’ experience: $25k; rural or high-poverty district: $30k
• 5+ years’ experience and teaching in a rural or high-poverty district: $50k
• 5+ years’ experience teaching special education: $50k
• Teachers moving to Oklahoma with <5 years’ experience: $25k; 5+ years: $50k

For more information check out the OSDE website.

Teacher Application.