Nationwide teacher shortage and Delaware is no different

De. – Nationwide, schools are seeing a teacher shortage and the first state is no different.

Representatives from teachers unions say this year may have even less teachers than last year.

The Delaware State Education Association predicts 400 fewer teachers in public schools this year, across all 3 counties.

Shelley Meadowcroft with the Association says public school districts are doing the best they can to combat the shortage, but it has been difficult.

“We have felt the pain of the shortages and the school districts are trying to fill classrooms however possible,” Meadowcroft said. “In Delaware, what we have been seeing is the perfect storm of more students, 7% student enrollment increase in Delaware last year.”

Meadowcroft says there are other contributing factors to the teacher shortage, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mixed with high retirement numbers coming out of COVID,” Meadowcroft said. “Teachers that either were like no thank you, I’m done, or just did not like the changes that happened and they had their time and are ready to go.”

Another big factor is fewer college students majoring in primary and secondary education, meaning there are fewer people to fill the positions that public school districts need filled.