Teacher Shortages Growing

Nearly 9 out of 10 school districts in the state are reporting a growing shortage of both full-time and substitute teachers. Education Minnesota President Denise Specht says nearly a third of new teachers leave within the first five years in the profession:

“We do talk with educators about what did you need in your first couple of years and they’re telling us things like I needed better mentoring, I needed coaching. I needed time to plan or meet with my colleagues.”

Compensation and working conditions are also playing a key role in educators leaving the field.