There’s a shortage of teachers in the United States right now. In a (kind of) post-pandemic world, there are many different states in need of teachers, and specific subjects need more educators too. Whether you’re majoring in Education and thinking about changing specialties (or states) or you’re a high schooler who wants to pursue Education in college, now is a great time to consider your future in the field. Overall, teachers are in high demand, but certain types of teachers are in demand more than others. If you’re curious about where your educational career could head, here are the subjects and states that need teachers more than ever.
States that need teachers
Almost every state is facing a teacher shortage, though some places have a higher need than others. Here are a few of the states that need teachers the most. If you’re willing to relocate, you might want to consider them when thinking about where to go to college to become an educator or where you might want to live after you graduate.
Arizona
Arizona is one of the states experiencing some of the most extreme teacher shortages at the moment. Specifically, teachers are being sought in more rural areas of the state. Arizona is also seeking well-educated teachers in a variety of subjects.
California
California may be the state with the most severe school staffing crisis, with 80% of school districts experiencing some form of teacher shortage. Specifically, special education teachers are in high demand across the state, so consider this field when choosing your concentration.
Hawai’i
As beautiful and relaxing as life in Hawai’i can be, the high cost of living and the island's isolation can make it difficult for schools and districts to retain teachers in all subjects. Recently, they’ve even elected to raise teachers’ pay over the course of the next five years in order to combat this issue.
Nevada
Whether you’d rather migrate closer to the city center of Las Vegas or prefer to be in a more rural desert environment, both areas of the state of Nevada are in need of teachers of all kinds. Nevada can provide a variety of lifestyle options that may be perfect for your personal and professional life.
Washington
Washington is facing a teacher shortage specifically in the subjects of math and science, but they’re in need of more special education teachers too. Teachers are in high demand in both the larger cities and in more rural parts of the state.
Related: Great Colleges and Universities for Education in the Midwest and West
Subjects that need teachers
In addition to states that need teachers overall, there are certain subjects that have been experiencing an overall decline in the number of teachers available. While it’s possible to use creative tools and learning solutions to fill the gaps in teaching, in the long run, teaching positions need to be filled in a variety of subjects like the ones below.
Mathematics
There’s been an overwhelming need for math teachers recently, across all levels and disciplines of the study. If you’re on your way to becoming a math teacher or interested in majoring in Math in college, this could be a calling for you!
Special education
Many states are in need of special education teachers, including California, Washington, Arizona, and more. Special education requires specific knowledge and academic specializations as well as calculated learning strategies and classroom tools, but it’s absolutely necessary to have in schools. Many teachers find this field particularly rewarding.
Bilingual education
Bilingual education—both in the languages themselves and in various subjects—has been growing in the past few years, and the need for bilingual education teachers has increased alongside it. If you speak a second or third language fluently, it could be an educational asset.
Foreign languages
Foreign language education isn’t the same as bilingual education, but it’s equally in need of more teachers. Many high schools don’t have a foreign language education teacher at all right now—whether that’s Spanish, French, Japanese, or any other language—so foreign language education teachers have been in much higher demand recently.
Social studies
Social studies is another discipline that has lost many teachers in recent years. Teaching students how civilizations and societies work can be really fun. If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, this could be a great avenue for you to explore.
Related: Great Colleges and Universities for Education in the Northeast and South
There are so many states and subjects in need of more teachers. Whether you’re already a teacher or you’re thinking of becoming one, knowing where educators are needed can help you find a path that’s right for you and where you can fill a much-needed gap.
Get more advice on your path to becoming a teacher in our Education and Teaching section.
