Managers Innovate to Fill Lowcountry Special Education Openings Amid Shortage

The nationwide teacher shortage has left hiring managers scrambling to fill teaching positions across the state. But the challenge is even greater when it comes to special education. Last year, the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement reported that there were over 288 open special education positions in South Carolina, while math positions had only around 150 open slots. This shortage is not new, and efforts have been made to address it. The state department of education has fully funded a program called SC Create, which pays the cost of tuition for school employees to get certified to teach special education. But what if the assumption that special education teachers are hard to find is wrong? What might the author have missed? Could it be that the shortage is not just about finding qualified teachers, but also about creating a work environment that supports and values special education teachers? The article mentions that general education teachers are being recruited to fill special education positions, but what about creating more opportunities for special education teachers to grow and develop within their own schools?Jennifer Bates, principal of Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary School, has taken a different approach. She has recruited already established general education teachers to the field, citing the passion and dedication that special education teachers bring to their work. But what about providing more support and resources for these teachers to succeed? Could it be that the shortage is not just about finding teachers, but also about creating a system that values and supports them? The article also mentions that Charleston County School District has fully-staffed special education positions, thanks to huge salary increases that made them the highest-paying district in the state. But what about the impact of these salary increases on the morale and motivation of special education teachers? Do these increases truly address the root causes of the shortage, or do they simply mask the problem?