COVID-19 created a teacher shortage in parts of Illinois. | Adobe Stock
COVID-19 created a teacher shortage in parts of Illinois. | Adobe Stock
The lingering COVID-19 crisis has put a heavy strain on the already teacher shortage issue in Illinois.
A new Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents found that since the pandemic hit upward of 75% of all districts need more teachers.
"What started as being a teacher shortage in key areas like math, science, and foreign languages has now expanded to all teaching areas," Peoria County Regional Superintendent Beth Crider said, 25 Week news reported in early March. "What started as something that affected smaller districts — rural districts — is now statewide."
Authorities said several factors are contributing to the ongoing problem, including the combination of a demanding workload and low salary. In addition, experts add many feel as if the curriculum makes it harder for teachers to create their environment for students.
"We are continuing to do things that are counterproductive to students being able to learn and grow at their own pace," Regional Office of Education No. 17 Superintendent Mark Jontry said, 25 Week reported. "We are going to take five days this spring to do a standardized assessment that almost nobody is going to value in any way."
Among those also looking to help is nonprofit Golden Apple.
"We have a summer scholar institute and every one of our undergraduate scholars gets an urban, suburban and rural experience," President Alan Mather said, 25 Week reported. "They teach summer school, and they come back and learn from award-winning teachers."
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