How our schools are dealing with special education staffing shortages

August 21, 2026 - 11:00

The ongoing shortage of special education teachers has reached a critical point in many districts, forcing administrators to rethink how they recruit, train, and retain staff. During a recent community forum, guest host Julie Philipp spoke with educators and advocates about the real-world impact of this crisis on students who need the most support.

The numbers are stark. Openings for special education roles often go unfilled for months, and some districts have resorted to using long-term substitutes or pulling general education teachers into special ed classrooms without proper certification. This creates a cycle of burnout, as the remaining staff take on heavier caseloads and more paperwork, leading to even more resignations.

One approach gaining traction is the "grow your own" model, where districts partner with local universities to offer tuition assistance and paid apprenticeships to paraprofessionals already working in schools. These are often parents or community members who know the students well but lack the formal credentials. By supporting them through a master's program, districts get a more stable workforce, and the new teachers arrive with practical experience.

Another strategy involves rethinking the job itself. Some schools are experimenting with team teaching, where a certified special education teacher oversees a classroom but is supported by two or three aides who handle behavior management and small group work. This reduces the administrative load and allows the lead teacher to focus on individualized education plans and direct instruction.

Still, the emotional toll remains high. One veteran teacher at the forum described spending her weekends writing progress reports and calling parents, only to be told her position might be cut next year due to budget constraints. That uncertainty, she said, is what drives many of her colleagues out of the field.

In a separate segment during the same program, the "Summer Sessions" series highlighted a different kind of endurance: a friendship that has lasted nine decades. Two women, both in their mid-nineties, met as children in a neighborhood playground and have stayed in touch through wars, marriages, moves, and the loss of spouses. They now live in the same assisted living facility and still share lunch every Tuesday. Their story served as a gentle reminder that while systems may fail, human connections often hold.