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SALT LAKE CITY — Kids around the Wasatch Front get to go back to school with most teacher posts at schools filled. But a critical teacher shortage had many school districts concerned.
542 newly hired teachers attended Alpine District's orientation recently, and many know they are in high demand.
"I've felt very needed in a lot of places," said first-year teacher Katherine Lloyd.
That's an understatement.
Most districts along the Wasatch Front needed to hire hundreds of teachers as of last spring. But with a critical teacher shortage, the prospects looked bleak.
"We can't start the school year with hundreds of openings," said Ben Horsely with the Granite School District.
So, for many teachers, they entered a bidding war. Each district offered millions of dollars in pay raises across the board. Some also boosted the pay for starting teachers.
The question is: Did it work?
"It really did," said Horsley.
As of Aug. 18, the Granite District has gone from 300 openings to fully staffed.
Other districts have experienced the same interest:
- Alpine District hired 542 teachers; they have 5 openings.
- Canyons District hired 232 teachers. They still need 15 teachers and a psychologist.
- Salt Lake District hired 151 teachers; they have 22 openings.
- St. George hired 193 teachers; they still need 10 teachers, including 6 special education.
- Jordan District hired 353 teachers and they anticipated being fully staffed by the end of the week.
Teachers at orientation feel that gratitude, which, along with the higher pay, helps morale.
"As a teacher, I feel very supported," said new teacher Alissa Kepas.
New teacher Abbey Knight said, "Every person I've talked to from the district has said, 'Thank you.' We're so excited for being first-year teachers."
So thousands of Utah students and their parents can head back to school assured they'll have full-time, qualified teachers at the head of their class.
School administrators hope that is something parents will appreciate, as districts look at how to sustain the pay raises.
