Arkansas Facing Teacher Shortage
By:
Updated: September 14, 2012
Arkansas is facing a critical shortage of teachers in math and science, according to the Arkansas Department of Education.
Each year, the state loses about 1500 teachers a year--some retire, others move out of state, and others still, simply get out of the profession.
Claire Powell, 26, almost gave up on her job as a math teacher.
"After two years I was like, oh my goodness, what do I do now? Do I want to stay in teaching?" she said.
Powell changed schools. She teaches now at eSTEM, a public charter school. Powell says the support she get from the principal and her fellow teachers reignited her passion for teaching.
The teacher shortage, she says, ultimately affects children.
As it stands, Arkansas is struggling to fill key positions. The colleges graduated in 2011 only graduated 20 math teachers, two science teachers, and only one physics teacher.
Each year, the state loses about 1500 teachers a year--some retire, others move out of state, and others still, simply get out of the profession.
Claire Powell, 26, almost gave up on her job as a math teacher.
"After two years I was like, oh my goodness, what do I do now? Do I want to stay in teaching?" she said.
Powell changed schools. She teaches now at eSTEM, a public charter school. Powell says the support she get from the principal and her fellow teachers reignited her passion for teaching.
The teacher shortage, she says, ultimately affects children.
As it stands, Arkansas is struggling to fill key positions. The colleges graduated in 2011 only graduated 20 math teachers, two science teachers, and only one physics teacher.
