Many Kentucky school districts still dealing with teacher shortages

WILMORE, Ky. (WKYT) – Many Kentucky school districts are faced with teacher shortages, and few applicants are interested in openings.

Hannah Williams is in her fourth year of teaching. She started during the COVID-19 years and has seen a lot of challenges—not to mention issues with pay or pensions—but she says the rewards are so much greater.

“Every year, I get to see these new kids, and I get to help them grow. And get to watch them continue to learn. It is just wonderful,” she said.

She teaches in Mercer County, a school district not seeing tremendous shortages, but elsewhere in the state’s it’s pretty bad.

“The teacher shortage in Kentucky is virtually everywhere. I don’t go into any school where they tell me they are not in need of teachers,” said David Kiel with Asbury University.

Asbury University hosted Educators Rising to help districts find potential teaching candidates.

“We have 200, from as far away as Knott County; those students got on a bus at 6, rode up to participate in today’s event,” said Kiel.

Another superintendent in southern Kentucky said that positions that used to attract 30 to 40 applicants now only attract about 10 or so. And positions in math, science, and special education are even harder to fill.

Williams says she just knew she wanted to impact kids and help them throughout the year.

“If I can bring a little bit of joy to learning and make it something they want to do every day, that is such a success for me,” Williams said.

“I want to deal with people on a daily basis and make an impact. I feel teaching is the best way to do that,” said Jared Harned, who is an Asbury student who wants to be a middle or high school social studies teacher.

Teachers and teaching candidates say often the reward is simply seeing a learning transformation.

Asbury University officials say they also want to encourage teachers to stay in their home communities.

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