As someone with over 15 years in the staffing industry—many of those years focused specifically on education—I’ve seen the increasing struggle school districts face in hiring and retaining full-time teachers. But what’s often overlooked is the unfortunate impact this has on the educators who remain.
When full-time teaching positions go unfilled, the pressure doesn’t just disappear. It simply shifts—and often lands on the shoulders of already overextended district staff.
The Silent Crisis in Schools
In 2025, it’s not uncommon for districts to begin the academic year with dozens of teacher vacancies. Whether due to a national teacher shortage, early retirements, or competition from other industries, schools are having to make difficult decisions about how to “fill the gap.”
Placing a band-aid on this problem with long-term subs, doubling up classrooms, or assigning administrative staff to cover periods is not a long-term solution.
The Impact on Full-Time Teachers
When full-time positions remain vacant, the consequences are deeply felt by the teachers who stay:
- Increased workload. Teachers are often asked to take on extra duties, cover classes during their prep periods, or support additional students—all without added compensation or support.
- Burnout and fatigue. With larger class sizes and fewer resources, the emotional and physical toll mounts quickly. Many educators are running on empty before winter break arrives.
- Compromised collaboration and planning. Instructional teams suffer when they’re incomplete. Collaboration declines, and students feel the inconsistency.
- Low morale. Seeing open positions go unfilled for months sends a clear message to staff—that support is lacking, and help isn’t coming anytime soon.
A Systemic Problem Demands a Strategic Response
The issue isn’t just about recruitment—it’s about retention, morale, and sustainability. Districts must stop being reactive and begin developing a proactive strategy to include:
- Building long-term talent pipelines
- Partnering with educational staffing providers who understand school culture
- Investing in substitutes and interim educators as valued professionals
- Supporting current staff with mental health resources, prep time, and clear communication
How Adelphi Education Helps
At Adelphi Education, we work closely with school leaders to not only fill full-time roles—but to reduce the pressure on their existing staff. By supplying trained, credentialed, and reliable substitute professionals, we create breathing room so teachers can focus on teaching—not covering for missing colleagues.
Final Thoughts
When full-time roles go unfilled, everyone feels it—especially the teachers doing their best to hold all the moving pieces together.
Let’s stop expecting educators to carry more than their share. It’s time to support them with real staffing solutions that lighten their load and prioritize long-term success—for schools, teachers, and students alike.
