State teacher shortage turns to statewide glut
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A recent newspaper report quoted officials of the Round Rock ISD as having had more than 5,000 applicants for a little over 300 teacher position openings this year and reporting that its pool of substitute teachers nearly doubled.
"That's comparable to what we've been hearing," said Bean regarding applications for teacher positions throughout the state.
Not too long ago, there was a fear that the teacher shortage would get even larger. Baby Boomers in classrooms were reaching retirement age and private sector salaries were wooing others away from teaching careers. The number of public school teacher openings was expected to grow even larger.
Then came the downturn in the economy. Teaching became one of the more stable career fields. Kids have to go to school and someone has to teach them. Interest in education job fairs increased. Those in education began seeking alternative certifications to broaden the possibility of landing teaching jobs in areas where there are more openings. And the shortage quickly turned into a glut.
So what's in store in public education in Texas for the future?
"As the population continues to grow, there's going to be a growing demand for more teachers to fill more classrooms that have more students," said Bean. And the shortage is not only in the teacher ranks, he explained, but also among education support staff - "from bus drivers to the lunch ladies to paraprofessionals - all the critical staff who support teachers."
These problems will continue as long as the economy continues on the current downturn, said the TSTA spokesman. The state - and particularly the 82nd State Legislature - is going to have to take a long, hard look at education and education funding and what's needed to support educators and support staff, said Bean. "What happens to our public schools may show that the state economy may not be as strong as certain elected officials would have us believe."
