Years Of Teacher Layoffs Create Shortages In Classrooms

By Kelly Ryan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Schools across California are struggling to fill their open positions, mostly in math, science and special education.

After years of layoffs, schools are now trying to fill empty slots, but there aren't enough teachers to go around.

Mrs. McKinnon is getting ready for a new class of first-graders in Pasadena Avenue elementary school.

"The best thing about being a teacher is that every year is a new experience," she said.

Throughout the state teachers like Mrs. McKinnon are in great demand. San Juan Unified School District recently hired 175 teachers, and is still looking for a dozen more in the areas of math and special education.

The shortage comes after 82,000 education jobs were lost in California between 2008 and 2012.

"You had several years were all you heard was teachers are being laid off, so those young folks going to college haven't chose to get your teaching credential," said Trent Allen with the San Juan district.

It's tough competition between schools as they vie for the small number of credentialed teachers. School districts like San Juan Unified are already thinking of new ways of recruiting.

"How can we encourage more folks to come into the field and learn what it is to be a teacher and the great joys that it brings," he said.

San Juan and other districts in the Sacramento region say students will have teachers, so parent need not worry, but vacancies still remain elsewhere.