Washtenaw Community College has a new program that leaders hope can help end the state’s teacher shortage.
The college is collaborating with Talent Together to enroll students in college classes while also offering them a full-time job as a substitute teacher or para-pro at a Michigan school.
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative CEO Jack Elsey says the state has no shortage of teaching talent. He says it’s about giving them an opportunity.
“We don’t really have a shortage of people who want to become teachers,” Elsey said. “Yes, we have a teacher shortage, but we don’t have a shortage of people who want to become teachers as long as we can make it possible for them.”
Michigan schools had more than 1,700 empty teaching positions during the 2022-23 school year.
