California is facing a serious shortage of qualified educators, which has long-reaching effects on students, schools, and communities.

This article explores the causes of the teacher shortage, the impact on our communities, and the steps Pacific Oaks College is taking to create change.

What Is the Teacher Shortage?

The teacher shortage is a nationwide crisis impacting public school systems. As the most populous state in the U.S. with nearly 6 million public school students, California has been significantly impacted.

A teacher shortage occurs when there are vacant teaching positions or positions filled by underqualified educators. These shortages are particularly severe in areas requiring additional specialization, such as special education and English language learning.

The result is often larger class sizes, lower instructional quality, and reduced individual attention for students, impacting the well-being of both educators and students.

The teacher shortage disproportionately affects schools in low-income and rural areas, making it even more difficult to attract and retain educators in these communities. This leaves the most vulnerable students at an even greater disadvantage.

These issues also contribute to widening achievement gaps and long-term educational disparities, creating a ripple effect that impacts the long-term success of these students.

The State of California’s Teacher Shortage

Teaching is a deeply rewarding profession, offering a unique opportunity to guide future generations and advance education equity. While challenges like pay and resources have been long-standing concerns, there is growing momentum toward meaningful change with a renewed focus on supporting educators and ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive.

Learn more about the key concerns for California educators and what work is being done to build a sustainable future for our education system.

1. California’s High Cost of Living

California teachers have one of the highest teacher salaries in the nation; even so, it’s not enough to keep up with California’s rising cost of living. As a result, many educators supplement their income with additional jobs.

While there is a growing need for pay teacher pay increases, school districts often face budget constraints that limit their ability to offer adequate salaries. To help address this disparity on the state and national level, lawmakers have devoted more resources to the Department of Education in response to the pandemic and the teacher shortage crisis. Millions of dollars have been allocated to help existing school staff gain teaching credentials, support teacher professional development programs, and fund other district-specific efforts.

Teacher unions are pursuing additional incentives, too, such as loan forgiveness programs, increased pay, and additional resources to support staff.

Additionally, forward thinking colleges like Pacific Oaks have been cultivating the next generation of educators with financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help ease the financial burden for future educators, making it easier for students to complete their education and enter the workforce.

2. High Stakes, Limited Resources

Many school districts lack the budget to fully support the needs of classrooms and students, leaving teachers to take on the burden. While limited support remains a challenge, nonprofits and local community organizations are working together to support teacher classroom needs.

According to the U.S. Department of Education survey, 94% of educators personally fund classroom necessities, with an average expense of $500-$750 annually (National Education Association, 2023). Essentials such as books, pencils, and tissues often come out of teachers’ already limited wages. Some educators go even further by purchasing clothing, food, and toiletries to support their students—particularly those working in underserved communities.

DonorsChoose and Adopt a Classroom, offer teachers a way to secure classroom supplies without bearing the financial burden alone.

Addressing the teacher shortage is a collaborative effort. That’s why we, at Pacific Oaks College, partner with local school districts and education organizations such as the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) residency program. Student residents then earn hands-on classroom experience while bringing crucial in-classroom support to teachers during their classroom practicum hours.

“The Pacific Oaks model is unique,” says Marsha Swindler, Ph.D., Human Development and Education faculty, emphasizing the interwoven nature of the education programs. “Students go out to their campuses, and they can complete the remaining courses within their program with a mentor teacher, a fieldwork supervisor from Pacific Oaks, and a classroom course instructor.”

We aim to create practical pathways for gaining experience and securing employment after graduation. Our training emphasizes preparation for working in diverse and underserved communities, targeting areas with the greatest need.

3. Removing Barriers to a Career in Education

Between teaching classes, planning lessons, grading assignments, and providing various levels of support to students, many teachers are left with little work-life balance. This problem is growing as student enrollment numbers continue to increase. Thankfully, there are several initiatives working to ease the pathway for education roles, which will hopefully lead to more teachers, paraprofessionals, and teaching aides.

In a 2024 Pew Survey, 84% of respondents reported being unable to complete their workload during the school day. As a result, many teachers work at home, disrupting their work-life balance and affecting their mental health.

The state of California recognizes the importance of addressing the teacher shortage, and a new law has recently eased the testing requirements for teachers. This means that Pacific Oaks education students can be classroom-ready once they complete their degree and practicum hours—no additional test required.

Support staff also play a crucial role in assisting educators. This includes teaching aides and paraprofessionals, who help manage classrooms, maintain a positive learning environment, and support instruction by providing one-on-one or small-group assistance with lessons and assignments. Union groups across the U.S. are advocating for fair pay for paraprofessionals to bring more helping hands into the classroom.

These combined efforts aim to alleviate the growing pressures on educators, ensuring they have the support they need to foster student success while maintaining a healthier work-life balance.

Pacific Oaks College is making a difference in our communities.

Through many efforts, we aim to help alleviate the teacher shortage and ensure a steady supply of well-prepared educators for California schools.

The factors contributing to the current teacher shortage are significant, but they are not new. As one of the oldest professions, teaching is always in demand. It takes a strong and dedicated individual to mold future generations, and Pacific Oaks College is committed to supporting those educators.

Ruben Cortez, Ed.D., Human Development and Education faculty, shares, “Any time there is a shortage in any profession, people are going to want to go into that field. I always tell teachers, when you’re not motivated, the drive to school is too far, and the pay is never enough. But when you value what you do, pay isn’t a problem, and neither is the workload.”

Learn how you can become a teacher in California by exploring our Early Childhood Education programs. As we continue to work on this effort, there is hope for a future where every classroom in California is filled with a qualified and passionate teacher.