Teacher’s have never seen it this bad, according to a recent Washington post article describing the nationwide teacher shortage. Fewer teachers, doubled with the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to worse learning outcomes for students.
The shortage has also hit Butte County.
"I think people are choosing to leave the profession," said Oroville High School Union District Superintendent Cory Willenberg.
Ahead of the upcoming school year, Willenberg says that finding teachers has been tough since the pandemic began.
"We need staff," he continued. "I know the state has targeted funds for that ,but we are having a hard time keeping people that are credentialed, or people to teach in areas like Special Ed, or English or Math." He said Para educators and bus drivers are another compelling need.
Experts say teachers are leaving because of low pay, lack of respect from their respective state’s and school boards, COVID-19, and the increasing politicization of school subject matter.
"I have people that have said we are going to try another career path, I’ve had some people say 'I don’t want to be in in-person instruction anymore,"' Willenberg said.
The superintendent is optimistic, however, as several of Oroville’s high schools have new administrators including new principals at Oroville and Prospect high school, and enrollment is up 67 students.