St. Paul Public Schools Bridge View School is the foundation for Pat Suyak’s career pivot.

The new teacher is helping fill a special education gap experienced statewide.

“To be able to give a voice to these kids, who don’t always have a voice, is just an incredible opportunity in my eyes,” said Suyak.

He explained he spent 15 years as a lawyer, primarily in a corporate setting, before experiencing burnout. Suyak left that profession and eventually joined Bridge View as a teaching assistant substitute. He became a summer school teacher this year and is now in his first year leading a special education high school classroom.

“It’s about taking care of people and taking care of these kids, and the motivation comes easy with that,” he said, getting choked up. “It’s wonderful.”

Special education is one of the areas with a teacher shortage statewide, according to data 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS obtained from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

It also shows, as of June, there were shortages of teachers in 44 license areas in the Twin Cities, which is higher than any other region.

The region that includes Chisago County, Isanti County, Kanabec County, Mille Lacs County and Pine County had the second-highest number, with 35 license shortage areas. In western Minnesota, the area of Big Stone County, Chippewa County, Lac qui Parle County, Swift County and Yellow Medicine County had the lowest number with 19 license shortage areas.

“The pools of teacher candidates are often low and in some cases, nonexistent,” said Deb Henton is the executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. “There just aren’t as many people interested in the positions in the classroom.”

The data shows shortages in key areas, including math, sciences, world languages and physical education in every region of the state.

“There are districts that have had to go to retired teachers, there are districts that have had to go to a contracted service,” said Henton. “In some of our areas of special education, there are simply not enough individuals going into the profession.”

Housing prices and affordability of child care are two factors that can be barriers to some young teachers pursuing the profession, according to Henton. She explained districts are working to attract teachers through hiring incentives and bonuses and expanding apprenticeships.

“We’re doing everything we can to attract quality teachers into the profession,” said Henton.

Joshua Taylor spent a year and a half as a special education teaching assistant at Bridge View School before stepping into a teacher role this year.

“I know that there’s a lot of need in that area,” said Taylor about his decision to focus on special education. “You just offer kids whatever you can at the end of the day.”

Taylor previously taught English abroad and has experience as a PCA. He decided to become a special education elementary teacher this year at the encouragement of other educators at the school.

The role has already proved rewarding just two weeks into the school year.

“Some kids require different supports, some kids require more of a need, everybody is just a kid,” said Taylor. “Some of the kids I’m seeing little growth, that is the best thing.”