In the States: Facing the Teacher Shortage

The new “In the States” feature by Kaitlyn Brennan is a weekly update to keep members informed on state-level activities impacting the education and educator preparation community.

Fairfax County Considering Recruiting Teachers From Barbados to Address Shortage

This week, leaders in Virginia’s largest school system, Fairfax County Public Schools, announced they are working with Barbados Ministry of Education to explore the possibility of recruiting teachers from Barbados to address its staffing shortage. Interested candidates would be required to have a Virginia Department of Education-approved degree and course transcripts. They will also have to qualify for one of the state’s alternative routes to getting a license, and would have to apply for an official statement of eligibility document from the state before applying for jobs in the county.

A list of vacancies across Fairfax County Public Schools can be found on the fcps.edu website.

New Haven Public Schools Highlight Staffing Shortages Amid Contract Negotiations

Last week, teachers and staff from across New Haven Public Schools shared their experience of the teacher shortage during a public comment period. Several staff members cited higher wages, special education caseload cap, and other protections offered by surrounding districts as common reasons that teachers transfer out of New Haven. Many also pointed to a nationwide lack of respect for the teaching profession as a source of discouragement. In a recent article in the Yale Daily News  Darnell Goldson, former president and current member of the New Haven Board of Education, said that the district’s teacher shortage is causing schools to make difficult decisions on where staff is placed. New Haven public schools currently face a shortage of 81 teachers across 44 buildings.


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