You may have heard in recent months of concerns over teacher shortages across the state, especially in rural areas, but even larger cities including Sioux Falls Public Schools still has openings for this fall.

Human Resources supervisor Becky Dorman says they’ve filled 131 positions for the upcoming school year. Now the focus is on the 26 positions still to be filled.  Dorman says the number of vacancies is the highest she's seen at this point in the summer, an increase of ten vacancies from this time last year.

Dorman says even with the draw of living in a vibrant city like Sioux Falls, there is the issue of money and has admitted to having lost a few teachers and applicants to other states.

The biggest need is for special education teachers, which she says is a big challenge for every district in the state.

One of the best ways to recruit teachers is to reach out to family members here in South Dakota who have family or friends teaching elsewhere in the country.  Dorman invites any residents to connect with teachers they know, tell them about all the positives of living in Sioux Falls and invite them to contact Sioux Falls public Schools for a conversation, even if it's not for this year but a time in the future.

Many educators including Dorman attending the Blue Ribbon task for meeting during its stop in Sioux Falls.  She along with other teachers are hoping for additional revenue sources to make the prospect of teaching in South Dakota more attractive.

 

 

 

 

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