Through a variety of initiatives meant to attract, train, and retain teachers—especially in key needs areas like special education, multilingual learning, and science—Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is increasing efforts to tackle the national teacher shortage.
With a teacher retention rate of 94.6 percent—above the national average—JCPS stays in a better position than many other districts all around. JCPS is not exempt from the shortfall, though, given the average of 600 teaching openings yearly and 6,856 instructors hired during the 2024–25 academic year.
“Getting qualified teachers into our classrooms presents a major issue for our country,” said Dr. Marty Pollio, JCPS superintendent, in a press release. “Along with our education partners, we are recruiting, training, and keeping our teachers to guarantee that future generations of Louisville children have the opportunity for quality instruction, learning, and success.”
JCPS is concentrating on creative “Grow Your Own” projects meant to build a pool of upcoming teachers right within the community.
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Program for Teacher Apprenticeship (2025–26)
Set to debut in the 2025–26 school year, the Teacher Apprenticeship Program will allow high school juniors in JCPS’s Teacher Pathway Programs a direct route into the teaching profession. Each year, 10 juniors will be selected and paired with seasoned JCPS mentor teachers. Graduating high school with 48 college credit hours toward a teaching degree, these students will enroll in courses at Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) and the University of Louisville (UofL). Participants will vow to return to JCPS after they receive teacher licensure.
Now in its second year, the Option 9 Pathway allows UofL students to work as instructional assistants while obtaining hands-on teaching experience alongside JCPS mentor instructors.
This initiative offers tuition aid and support for JCPS teachers pursuing alternative certification or gaining credentials in high-demand disciplines such as special education. Participants benefit from monthly online support sessions and summer training.
The established program provides tuition support for full-time JCPS workers enrolled in a Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB)-approved Teacher Education Preparation Program, enabling current personnel to transition into teaching responsibilities.
Diverse, mission-driven individuals obtain field experience, earn a master’s degree from UofL or Bellarmine University, and receive a teaching license after a year-long apprenticeship under the guidance of a highly experienced JCPS teacher.
This national recruitment campaign offers alternative route instructors to JCPS through a MAT (Option 6) program. Participants receive relocation incentives and new teacher support and may qualify for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.
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Upcoming Programs to Address Shortage
Launching in spring 2025, this collaboration between JCPS, OVEC, and UofL will offer a certification-only program for degree holders interested in moving to teaching. Participants will acquire a provisional certificate to begin teaching immediately and earn full certification in 18 months. The program offers tuition help and a cohort-based learning strategy to support participants.
As the nation grapples with a rising scarcity of qualified instructors, JCPS is adopting a proactive approach by investing in projects that foster and retain talent from within the community. These efforts aim not just to fill existing vacancies but also to assure that future generations of JCPS students receive high-quality instruction and support.
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This article appears in Mar 14-27, 2025.