Nazareth Degrees & Expertise Address Teacher Shortages in New York State
As retirements fuel New York State teacher shortages across the state, Nazareth College is educating teachers to be well-prepared to lead classrooms. New York State could need as many as 180,000 teachers in the next decade or up to 18,000 annually. One-third of the state's current teachers are expected to retire in the next five years.
According to New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the teacher shortage is hitting school districts large and small. Shortages are especially high in New York state in specific specialties such as bilingual education and special education.
The U.S. Department of Education has designated 17 teacher shortage areas across New York for 2019-20:
- Art and music education
- Blind/visually impaired
- career and technical education, grades 7-12
- Deaf/hard of hearing
- English as a second language (ESL)
- ESL bilingual extension
- English language arts, grades 7-12
- Health and fitness
- Language and speech
- Library media specialist staff
- Literacy
- Mathematics, grades 7-12
- Science, grades 7-12
- Social studies, grades 7-12
- Special education with bilingual extension
- Students with disabilities, all grades
- World languages
Schools have such a teacher shortage that Anjoli Moise ‘18G — while earning a Nazareth master’s degree in special ed and only thinking of working as a sub — was recruited to be a full-time kindergarten teacher at Rochester’s School No. 5.
"We sounded the alarm on the looming shortage and it's getting a lot of attention now," said NYSUT Executive Vice President and Nazareth College master's in education graduate Jolene DiBrango. "I talk about this everywhere I go because we want to focus on concrete things we can do."
Nazareth College is well known for its School of Education and its strong teacher preparation. In fact, many teachers in the Rochester area and beyond are Nazareth alumni. Yet, across New York state since 2009-10, there has been a 53% drop in college students enrolled in teacher education programs.
Nazareth wants to change that.
"Every teacher we produce is going to impact hundreds, if not thousands, of children's or young adults' lives," said Nazareth School of Education Dean Kate DaBoll-Lavoie. "Our Nazareth education programs are built to help each student become exactly the teacher they're meant to be and what students need. We work with our Pre K - grade 12 partners to ensure that we have programs that will meet the shortage area needs."
Penfield High School teacher and Nazareth education graduate Laura Streeter knows Nazareth is sought after for student teachers. "When I was applying to Nazareth, I knew if I was going to go for teaching, I wanted to go to the place that would give me the best opportunities, and I really believe that is Nazareth."
Nazareth graduates and student teachers stand out to school principals. "What we notice right away about graduates of the program is that they've been taught, they're on the cutting edge," said Marc Nelson, Principal of Harris Hill Elementary School. "Nazareth students are ready and willing to put it into action, they bring it right away from day one."
Katie Hackett ‘21, who wants to become a social studies teacher, chose Nazareth because teachers at the school where she works as a teaching assistant said "Naz student teachers seem to be the most prepared to step into the classroom compared to students from other area colleges.” At Nazareth, “I like that classes are small and intimate.... And professors are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects.”
Dean DaBoll-Lavoie said, "One of the most exciting aspects of my job, is when I can walk into a school and see our alums teaching and working with children, and the impact they have on children's lives."
Many times the best ambassadors for the profession are Nazareth education alumni and teachers themselves.
"Never underestimate the personal touch," DiBrango said. "We all know kids who would make a great teacher. We need to be on the lookout and start tapping them on the shoulder," she said. "There's no better recruiter."
Pursue teaching
For More Information
Julie Long | Nazareth Chief Public Relations Officer | (585) 389-2456 | jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
