Pandemic Exacerbates Alaskan Teacher Shortage

Alaska’s schools have long struggled to attract and retain teachers and support staff. That was the case even before COVID-19 hit and upended education worldwide, and the pandemic has only made things more challenging, say education officials, as the strains from burnout and absenteeism pile stress on a system that was already buckling under the pressure.

The state is part of the problem, said Tom Klaameyer, president of Alaska’s branch of the National Education Association teachers’ union to APM. He said low funding from the state has impacted teachers everywhere. Housing and worse retirement benefits also add to the problem of teacher turnover.

The problems hit even harder in more remote areas.