Teacher shortages in Tennessee inconsistent by subject, district, study finds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee’s teacher shortage is a statewide problem, but a new study reveals the subjects that need staff the most vary significantly based on zip code.

The report published by the Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis highlighted the inconsistencies of teacher shortages in Tennessee.

The data showed districts with surpluses of high school social studies teachers bordered districts with severe shortages. For example, Williamson County Schools reported no shortage of high school social studies teachers, according to the study, while neighboring Maury County Public Schools reported a staffing challenge for social studies teachers, and cited the district wasn’t receiving enough applications for the vacant positions.

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Meanwhile, Nashville and Memphis both reported a shortage of elementary school teachers, the report said, citing a lack of applications as a perceived staffing challenge. However, Knox County Schools reported an adequate number of elementary school teachers.

Nearly every school system in the state reported a high school math teacher shortage and cited a lack of applications as a challenge.

J.C. Bowman, executive director and CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee told News 2 he has seen more people leaving the field in growing numbers and fewer future educators enrolling in colleges of education.

“For [ teachers ], it’s a calling, and we’re beginning to see even a calling has a price, and they’re saying it’s not worth it anymore,” Bowman said.

According to Bowman, teachers have cited heavy workloads, unrealistic expectations, teacher treatment, and student discipline as reasons for leaving the field of education.

“What’s changed over the years?” News 2 asked.

“I think student discipline, particularly after COVID,” Bowman said. “The kids came back with a lot of behavioral issues and challenges, particularly mental health issues.”

The problems continue to contribute to Tennessee’s teacher shortage, which Bowman added can be masked by filling vacancies with non-certified teachers, or teachers on emergency credentials, in every subject except for special education.

“Special ed is the only area in the state that you cannot use a noncertified teacher in. Those teachers must be certified,” Bowman said. “They can cover up shortages by using noncertified teachers in the area, and that’s why some of our numbers are suppressed is because of that. In special education, the numbers are real, and you’re seeing it reflected in that because you can’t cover it up.”

The TN Dept. of Education reported that in 2022, districts had 1,009 teacher vacancies in the state; 2,358 additional positions were being filled by teachers on an emergency credential. Combined, the two account for 5.5% of the state’s teachers, according to the data.

Bowman believes the shortage will persist if teachers continue to be treated the same.

“It doesn’t matter how much you pay them, it really doesn’t matter the certification or un-certification, or the candidates for that, if you continue to have workloads that are just unimaginable, teachers are going to leave the field,” Bowman said. “You don’t treat them as adults. You don’t solicit their input when you’re making policy decisions over them; that is a real recipe for disaster, I think, in our schools.”

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Bowman hopes teacher recruitment and retention will be a topic during this upcoming legislative session, which beings in Jan. 2025. He believes legislation allowing retired teachers to return to work for longer periods of time than what’s currently permitted could help ease the shortage.

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