As we enter a new year, many school districts and academic institutions continue to face a staffing crisis. Statistics show that there are nearly 50,000 teacher vacancies across the country, and this is only accounting for public education. As the education sector continues to look for ways to combat this problem, it’s important to be aware of trends and predictions in education staffing. The team at Summit Careers continues to keep a close eye on these trends and predictions as we work to fill vacancies in academia. Let’s take a closer look at these trends and predictions that you’ll want to watch in the future. Education Staffing Trends & Predictions 4-day School Week Some districts, especially in rural areas, have switched to a 4-day school week to save money. This not only saves money on busing and heating and cooling schools but can be used as an approach to attract and retain teachers. Some schools that have adopted this approach are seeing achievement rates that either match or exceed students’ performance during a traditional 5-day workweek. Data-Driven Education Employees who can utilize data analytics will be high in demand. This data can help staff and institutions better understand student behavior, identify trends, and try different teaching strategies. This can help to boost student success rates by improving course content and personalizing learning paths. Supporting Teacher Mental Health Teacher burnout has risen and more schools are looking for ways to better support the teachers they hire to retain them effectively. Efforts are being made to better protect teachers’ planning time, as well as cut back on meetings. Many districts are also looking at how school spaces are set up to better meet the needs of teachers as they look for ways to spark creativity and foster a sense of community. Focus on Diversity and Inclusion Expect to see a greater emphasis on creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the education sector. This includes recruitment and retention efforts of various underrepresented groups. Personalized Learning Pathways School districts and higher education institutions will be doing more to support the professional growth of educators. This can include efforts such as access to more online and in-person resources, as well as customized training programs. Increased Use of Alternative Certification Programs Better utilization of alternative certification programs is expected to become a more popular way to combat teacher shortages and diversify the teaching workforce. Improved Systems School districts are expected to work toward better systems of getting tasks done and saving teachers time. Many teachers are overwhelmed by the tasks at hand. With more efficient systems, they can save time and reduce stress. This time can be used for more student instruction and engagement. Investing in Retention Retaining quality teachers has become increasingly difficult. Expect to see an increased focus on ways to keep solid staff members who are looking for long-term employment rather than adjunct faculty and staff. This includes looking for more candidates who are in line with the institution's mission, values, and vision. Those who are on the same page are more likely to remain engaged and stay longer in their positions. Adapting to Remote and Hybrid Work Seeking new hires who are on board with remote and hybrid learning situations, especially in higher education is expected to be more of a priority. Hiring managers will be looking for flexible employees who can adapt to this environment. The future of education staffing will be characterized by innovation, adaptability, and a focus on equity and inclusion. By embracing these trends, prospective hires can be more attractive to hiring managers as they look for opportunities that will help them grow and reach their fullest potential. Contact Summit Careers for Your Education Staffing Needs The team at Summit Careers is committed to helping you with your education staffing needs in 2025. Whether you need to hire candidates or are looking for your next career in the education sector, Summit Careers has the resources you need. Reach out to us today to learn more about our staffing programs!