COLUMBIA, S.C. —
Efforts are ongoing to fill teacher vacancies in Kershaw County, where the school district held a career fair for teachers on Saturday.
“The critical areas that ... we really need, even for the 24-25 school year, still remained special education because the numbers are increasing, and we've had to split some classes because of the rising numbers," Kershaw County School District Chief Human Resources Officer Denise Sowell said. "And it's just, it's just been a difficult task to fill those types of positions and to recruit at this point.”
Kershaw County School District officials said this teacher career fair was an opportunity to fill those teachers’ vacancies. At Camden Elementary School, about 19 school representatives were on hand, ready to speak to potential educators. This event also allowed teaching candidates to meet school principals face-to-face.
“You have the opportunity to shop schools because one school may not be a fit for one person, but that school may be a fit for someone else,” Sowell said.
Kershaw County School District officials said they have 17 teacher vacancies for 2024 -- one more than the previous year.
“This is a great opportunity for teachers that are just becoming certified to come out and see just a little snapshot of what all of the schools are all about," Camden Elementary School Principal Alana Powers said. "And if they're not certified, it's a good opportunity for them to find out how they can become certified, or even how to become a substitute in our district."
The school district is offering a $2,000 sign-on bonus for new educators. Kelly Sources was also there to help substitute teachers get their foot in the door. School officials say it has been difficult to fill some of those positions.
“Anytime you don't have a certified teacher in a classroom, it creates issues," Sowell said. "Issues meaning you don't have that professional educator with the training necessary to run that classroom, to create those lesson plans, to maintain that instructional environment.”
District officials said the ultimate goal is student achievement.
