Prairie State Wire

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has initiated a $6 million teacher recruitment campaign to address the shortage of educators in the state. The campaign, "The Answer is Teaching," launched on July 1, aims to fill vacancies particularly in bilingual and special education, as well as rural and urban areas.

Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of teachers by stating, "Teachers are the single most important investment we can make in our schools." He highlighted the campaign's goal to build a bicultural and bilingual teacher pipeline across Illinois.

State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders added that teachers play a crucial role in education, saying, "A great teacher can change the course of a student’s life and have a positive impact on their entire community." He noted that Illinois offers competitive pay and benefits for teachers.

Data from ISBE showed over 4,000 unfilled teaching positions as of October 2023. A third of these vacancies are in special education. Additionally, a survey by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents indicated that over 90% of schools faced teacher shortages during the 2023-24 school year.

The campaign uses digital platforms and partnerships with educational institutions to reach potential educators. Current teachers share their experiences to highlight the rewards and growth opportunities available in teaching.

To further support this initiative, Illinois has allocated $45 million annually for Teacher Vacancy Grants for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. These grants aim to help understaffed districts attract and retain teachers. ISBE also supports educators through mentorship programs and professional development opportunities.

Funded by federal pandemic relief funds, this marketing effort will run until January 2025. More information about career opportunities can be found at www.BecomeATeacher.com​.