Teacher Shortage Reaching Crisis Levels In South Carolina

Drew Bollea,

CHARLOTTE, NC – South Carolina legislators took a step on Wednesday to try and fend off a looming teacher shortage.Β 

State lawmakers passed a resolution that would restore incremental pay raises for teachers, which had been paused during the pandemic.

β€œThe burnout is real this year,” said Steve Nuzum,Β  a high school English teacher in Richland County.Β 

β€œI’ve had times this year where I’ve definitely felt like, you know, why am I doing this?” continued Nuzum.Β 

Nuzum has been teaching for 15 years and says the last 12 months have been the most challenging.Β 

He says they’re teaching both virtual and in-person and that classes are becoming more and more crowded.Β 

He’s not the only one feeling this way.Β 

SCforED, a teachers advocacy group surveyed 2000 of the state’s 60000 teachers. It found 39% of respondents do not plan to return to their positions in the fall. Pay was a driving factor.

β€œI do think it’s become a crisis at this point in time,” said Ryan Brown, the Chief Communications officer for the South Carolina Department of Education.Β 

He says teachers have been stretched thin during a difficult year.Β 

Brown says the pandemic has only exacerbated the retention issues. Despite adding 2500 teachers in the last year, there are still 500 vacancies state-wide.Β 

β€œIt’s not one of those things where you do one thing, snap your fingers and it’s been addressed. It takes a lot of systemic change,” explained Brown.

While lawmakers moved to reinstate teacher pay increase schedules, which had been frozen during the pandemic; teachers like Nuzum say it’s not enough.Β 

β€œIt’s been very frustrating. I don’t think that the state is really doing much at all in the way of retention,” said Nuzum.

He worries the state is running out of time and teachers.Β 

β€œWe won’t have the staff to safely operate schools,” said Nuzum.