MELBOURNE, Fla. — Brevard County students are getting ready for classes to begin next week, but district officials say there are still 216 teaching positions that have not been filled.

In just a few days, Agile Milton will be opening up her classroom for her AP English students.

She's marking a milestone for 2023: her 25th year teaching.

Around the Viera High School campus, she's known for her love of Hello Kitty.

"Two teachers bought me this," Milton said, showing Hello Kitty items. "And this, a student bought me that card, and I bought this. It's just my thing, the custodial staff call me Kitty."

But Milton says there's much to do before students break open the books — things like going over the seating chart for her 153 kids, copying the syllabus and organizing her classroom.

"It's a lot of work, it's a lot of work," she said.

Milton said last year was a rough one — her mom passed away from Alzheimer's after a three-year battle.

"I'm not happy she died, but in a way I can totally focus my efforts on my kids this year, because my heart was divided last year," she said.

While she says she’ll be able to focus solely on her students, Brevard Schools leaders say they are in need of more teachers to do the same.

They say greatest need is in English, science and math.

Milton encouraged anyone who is qualified and passionate to come teach with her.

"Often times people just look at our low pay and are discouraged from teaching," she said. "But I think they should look at the long-term benefits — you're going to impact the next generation, you're basically helping them become responsible citizens."

Voters approved a school millage tax proposal last November that district officials hope will help them attract, and retain, veteran teachers.

Leaders say they are also hoping to bring back ones who left due to pay or student discipline issues.