Teacher Shortage
Education, Grand Canyon University EDU 330:
Ethics and Advocacy in Education
2
Teacher Shortage
Every parent desires the best education for their children, regardless of their background
or location. However, the shortage of teachers makes it difficult to ensure that all children have
equal opportunities. Key cultural factors contributing to this teacher shortage include income
levels and geographic location. Social justice entails that all individuals possess the same rights,
irrespective of age, race, or gender. This principle fosters equity in social rights, political
participation, and employment opportunities. Nieto and Bode argue that social justice fosters
critical thinking in children and encourages societal change (Nieto & Bode, 2017).
The dare we encounter is that K-12 education is crucial and requires the attention of all.
Children frequently struggle to articulate their educational needs or may not fully grasp the
importance of their education. This underscores the point made by Glassow and Jerrim, who
argue that not all children have equal access to quality teachers, a disparity largely influenced by
their family’s financial circumstances. This phenomenon is referred to as inequitable teacher
placement. As we look toward the future of education, schools are working to maintain high
standards for their students. To tackle staffing shortages for the upcoming school year, schools
, are employing substitute teachers to fill open positions. Consequently, instruction will
increasingly depend on worksheets and charts to deliver information. Unfortunately, this
transition may weaken students’ connections with their teachers, potentially leading to some
students missing vital lessons and failing to gain essential knowledge.
The teacher shortage in the United States has deep-rooted origins that date back several
years, becoming especially evident in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Research indicates that this
issue was worsened by factors such as increasing student enrollment, high rates of teacher
turnover, and budget limitations faced by schools, all of which contributed to a widening gap