If you’re having trouble filling educator spots on your staff, you’re not alone. Statistics show that there are more than 50,000 vacant teaching positions across the country and that more than 250,000 current positions are currently filled by underqualified teachers. According to a 2022 U.S. Department of Education report, 41 states and D.C. are facing teacher shortages in at least one grade level or subject area. Understanding the driving forces behind these startling numbers is vital to help reverse the tide and start filling those positions with qualified teachers who are passionate about their work and shaping young minds. As we explore the various reasons behind the education staffing crisis, we’ll also examine what can be done to overcome it so that those in academia can begin to attract the talent they need to fill their positions. Why Is There a Teacher Shortage? When we talk about a teacher shortage, it does not solely pertain to vacant positions. According to the U.S. Department of Education, a teacher shortage is not only defined as having unfilled positions but also refers to positions that are filled by teachers in a different subject than they are certified to teach in and those positions filled by underqualified teachers. Here are several contributing factors to the nationwide teacher shortage: Low Salaries Talk to any teacher and they’ll tell you how much less they earn compared to other professions with similar education requirements. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the average American elementary and high school teachers earn $69,480. The discrepancy in salary has led to many teachers leaving their positions in academia for higher-paying jobs. Excess Workload During the COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers had to learn how to provide virtual instruction and in-person lessons. This doubled their workload in many cases. Although everyone is back to in-person lessons, teachers still have a lot on their plates. From large classes to requests to teach out of their areas of expertise, many teachers are dealing with a heavy workload that is burning them out. This is leading some to look for other career paths besides teaching. Challenging Conditions Besides excess workloads, many teachers are dealing with challenging conditions inside the classroom. A lack of resources and complex student behaviors are among the issues. One study found that many are dealing with stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression. What Can Be Done to Overcome the Education Staffing Crisis? District leaders are constantly looking for ways to lure more teachers while educating the next generation. Here are some roads that can be explored to overcome the education staffing crisis. Boost Salaries While there are often budget constraints, finding ways to boost teachers’ salaries is one way to ease the staffing shortages. This lets teachers know that the work they are doing is valued and will help to not only attract top talent but also prevent current teachers from going elsewhere. Promote Career Advancement One way to attract more teachers to fill vacancies is to provide career advancement opportunities. This allows teachers to grow professionally while remaining on the job and can work to support teacher recruitment and retention. Provide a Healthy Work Environment Providing a healthy working environment is important for teacher retention and filling vacancies. By offering teachers the support they need, it can help to prevent stress and burnout. This can include ample time for lesson plans and grading to provide a better work-home balance. Some districts also offer discounted gym memberships to give staff members a better chance of living a healthy lifestyle. This helps to prevent illness, which works towards maintaining a steady staff. Increase Efficiency Modern operations systems can boost team efficiency. Management software is one route to explore to strengthen staff support and increase staff efficiency. This can be an attractive selling point to candidates considering an open position. Let Summit Careers Help to Fill Your Vacancies Summit Careers is committed to helping you overcome the education staffing crisis and fill your vacancies. With a database of more than 60,000 qualified candidates, we are confident you will find a perfect match. Contact us today to learn more about our professional staffing services.