How schools are coping with staff shortages

Public schools across the U.S. are taking a break for Thanksgiving after a more traditional fall semester that saw students largely back in their classes in person. But many teachers and staff did not return this year, causing a shortage of teachers, substitutes, bus drivers, custodians and more. In some cases, it’s even led to virtual classes. PBS NewsHour’s Student Reporting Labs team reports. Read more on the NewsHour.

Students:

  • Ryan Dang — Westview High School, San Diego, CA
  • Darlin Diaz-Velazquez — Oakland Military Institute, Oakland, CA
  • Tahari Gary — Howard W. Blake School for the Arts, Tampa, FL
  • Cody Wolfe — Eagle Valley High School, Gypsum, CO
  • Jaizarlyn Suarez — Howard W. Blake School for the Arts, Tampa, FL
Teachers:
  • Sam Bartlett — Assistant Principal, Eagle Valley High School, Gypsum CO
  • Christine Alonzo — Substitute teacher, Maui High School, Maui, HI
  • Spencer Wilson — Dean, Brentwood High School, Brentwood, NY
  • Jose Estevez — Physical education teacher, John A. Ferguson Senior High School, Miami, FL
Student producers:
  • Rose Kennedy, Sebastian Lamur, Michael Silva, Jovany Leopold and Chris Mojica — John A. Ferguson Senior High School, Miami, FL
  • Franco Rodriguez — Eagle Valley High School, Gypsum, CO
  • Téa Chatham — Westview High School, San Diego, CA
  • Caitlin Guillen — Brentwood High School, Brentwood, NY
  • Faith Soliven — Maui High School, Maui, HI