Henrico Schools continue to struggle with teacher shortages, despite some progress
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County Public Schools are still grappling with a persistent teacher shortage, though district officials say they are seeing slight improvements. Currently, there are 175 vacant teaching positions, a slight drop from 193 reported in October. The shortage is most severe in elementary schools and special education classrooms, where fully licensed teachers remain particularly hard to find. To address the challenge, the district has increasingly relied on provisionally licensed educators and long-term substitutes. Kenya Jackson, head of talent acquisition for Henrico Schools, explained that fewer candidates are pursuing traditional teaching pathways. “There are fewer candidates that are going to school to become teachers and, as a result, more candidates are opting for alternative pathways,” Jackson said. Provisionally licensed teachers currently make up 11% of Henrico’s teaching staff. These educators hold bachelor’s degrees in their subject areas but have yet to complete the full licensure coursework, which typically takes three years. To support them, Henrico ensures they work closely with licensed teachers, instructional coaches and mentors to maintain classroom quality. "They are very familiar with our students and our schools," Jackson said. "They work alongside our licensed teachers, as well as our other instructional coaches and mentors and educators, to ensure they have the resources necessary to provide quality instruction to our students." Henrico is also prioritizing teacher retention through incentives like pay raises and expanded benefits. The district’s retention rate reached 91% for the 2023-2024 school year, an improvement from 86% two years ago. Efforts to fast-track licensing for provisionally licensed teachers are ongoing, with monthly support sessions helping them integrate coursework directly into their teaching. "We understand the ever-changing needs of not only our students, but our workforce and we work collaboratively to put those strategies in place to ensure all of our positions are filled," Jackson said. She said he sees this as a positive step. “The silver lining is that it provides an opportunity for all of our provisionally licensed teachers to come together once a month and gain context to that coursework that they can then immediately apply to the classroom,” she said. 8News reached out to multiple neighboring districts regarding their vacancy numbers. Chesterfield County reports that 99% of its teaching positions are filled but did not provide specific figures. Hanover County reported just five vacancies, while Prince George County has 23 openings. Richmond and Petersburg schools have yet to comment.
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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Henrico County Public Schools are still grappling with a persistent teacher shortage, though district officials say they are seeing slight improvements. Currently, there are 175 vacant teaching positions, a slight drop from 193 reported in October.
The shortage is most severe in elementary schools and special education classrooms, where fully licensed teachers remain particularly hard to find. To address the challenge, the district has increasingly relied on provisionally licensed educators and long-term substitutes.
Kenya Jackson, head of talent acquisition for Henrico Schools, explained that fewer candidates are pursuing traditional teaching pathways.
“There are fewer candidates that are going to school to become teachers and, as a result, more candidates are opting for alternative pathways,” Jackson said.
Provisionally licensed teachers currently make up 11% of Henrico’s teaching staff. These educators hold bachelor’s degrees in their subject areas but have yet to complete the full licensure coursework, which typically takes three years.
To support them, Henrico ensures they work closely with licensed teachers, instructional coaches and mentors to maintain classroom quality.
"They are very familiar with our students and our schools," Jackson said. "They work alongside our licensed teachers, as well as our other instructional coaches and mentors and educators, to ensure they have the resources necessary to provide quality instruction to our students."
Henrico is also prioritizing teacher retention through incentives like pay raises and expanded benefits. The district’s retention rate reached 91% for the 2023-2024 school year, an improvement from 86% two years ago.
Efforts to fast-track licensing for provisionally licensed teachers are ongoing, with monthly support sessions helping them integrate coursework directly into their teaching.
"We understand the ever-changing needs of not only our students, but our workforce and we work collaboratively to put those strategies in place to ensure all of our positions are filled," Jackson said.
She said he sees this as a positive step.
“The silver lining is that it provides an opportunity for all of our provisionally licensed teachers to come together once a month and gain context to that coursework that they can then immediately apply to the classroom,” she said.
8News reached out to multiple neighboring districts regarding their vacancy numbers. Chesterfield County reports that 99% of its teaching positions are filled but did not provide specific figures. Hanover County reported just five vacancies, while Prince George County has 23 openings. Richmond and Petersburg schools have yet to comment.
