Mussman to Address Teacher Vacancies in New Working Group

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – State Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, will join a newly formed Teacher Shortage Working Group to address the longstanding issue of vacancies in Illinois schools by exploring new ways to attract and retain qualified educators.

“Research shows that educator quality is among the most significant factors influencing student achievement,” said Mussman. “As chairperson of the Elementary and Secondary Education committee, I’ve witnessed firsthand the obstacles more and more school districts face regarding staff vacancies. Forming this working group demonstrates the state’s commitment to addressing a national issue in education and can lead to positive outcomes for schools, teachers, and students alike.”

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, as of 2023, there were over 7,000 unfilled educator positions across the state. The Teacher Shortage Working Group will meet regularly to work on sustainable solutions that will help mitigate teacher shortages in the long term, ensuring a stable and qualified workforce for schools and students.“We strive to deliver a world-class education, but these vacancies can undermine the quality of a child’s education, hinder student success, and weaken the overall effectiveness of our education system,” said Mussman. “I’m eager to brainstorm with the members of this group. Collaboration is key to coordinating efforts to tackle this issue and set our students up for future success.”