Teacher head count comes up short again

As of Aug. 1, the Office of Public Instruction's employment portal listed 853 active job postings for licensed public school positions in Montana. The postings include openings for teachers, counselors, administrators and paraprofessionals in school districts across Montana, and may capture some redundant listings or positions that have recently been filled.

With the start of the 2024-25 school year approaching, Montana schools of all sizes are once again contending with the state's ongoing teacher shortage. Challenges finding qualified applicants to fill open positions have prompted many districts in recent years to rely on provisional licensing and on emergency authorizations - essentially a green-light from the state to hire an individual who does not fully meet the requirements for a licensed teacher. OPI issued 176 emergency employment authorizations last year.

Education leaders are also increasingly focusing on retention. In a bid to help prepare new hires for the rigors of a public school classroom, the Alliance for Curriculum Enhancement, which provides curricula and support services for many rural schools, is hosting an inaugural "boot camp" this week at Lockwood High School outside Billings for roughly 125 early career teachers. Executive Director Jenny Combs told Montana Free Press the training is designed to help starting teachers, particularly those working under emergency authorizations, develop the rules and skills necessary to work with students and school administrators. The organization is also launching a mentoring program this fall in partnership with researchers at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.