Milwaukee schools offer $1,000 bonus to licensed, retired teachers in effort to fill vacancies

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  • Source: The Lion
  • 01/03/2026

Astrid Wagner worked 32 years in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), but she decided to return as the district provides bonuses to licensed, retired teachers for coming back to classrooms.

“Is every day easy? No, I mean, are there times where sometimes I struggle a little? Yes. But in the long run, I also see what I can give to them and what they can give to me,” she told Spectrum News 1. 

The district has offered teachers such as Wagner a $1,000 bonus to work full time or part time depending on their pension – even offering to “split up duties and offer co-teaching options,” the news outlet reported. 

“MPS leaders said their biggest need is for special education teachers, as well as those who specialize in art, music and physical education.” 

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