NORFOLK, NE — Norfolk High School is tackling a national challenge. 

The pandemic has limited teacher availabilities, particularly substitutes. They usually step in when someone is sick, but many don't want to take the risk of entering a contaminated environment. Norfolk High School's Principal Derek Ippensen shared that he can't blame people who are concerned they might bring an illness home to their family.

The Colorado Sun reports only half of their substitute options in Denver were willing to teach in face-to-face classrooms. In early October, AP News added that some parents are becoming substitutes. 

Moreover, older educators are more prone to Covid-19. It comes as no surprise then that a third of teachers are more likely to retire early because of the pandemic, according to the American Federation of Teachers. 

Principal Derek Ippensen says despite the difficulties, Norfolk High School is seeing teachers respond to the increased demand, becoming a stronger team in the process.

This educator shortage comes after an already growing gap between the available supply of teachers and demand for new hires. Economy Policy Institute released a report pre-Covid in March of 2019 which demonstrates this:

 

Graphic

(Photo screenshot from EPI using data from SASS, NTPS, NCES). 

Sharon Katt, senior administrator for adult program services with the Nebraska Department of Education, told Norfolk Daily News in 2016 that, "Shortages tend to be more pronounced in rural areas ... They tend to have more difficulty attracting new-to-the-profession teachers than we might see in larger, less rural areas."

The Nebraska Department of Education conducted a survey on the vacancies of positions this past year. 

It found significant shortages for this current academic year in the following subjects:

 

Ippensen encourages those interested in the education career to jump into it.