On a typical Monday in Connecticut, first bell is no longer just a signal for class; it’s the start of a scramble. In many schools, music rooms are dark, long-term substitutes run labs, and Special Education is triaged due to staff shortages. This isn’t a fluke, it’s a crisis, and it’s getting worse.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the Connecticut Department of Education has officially designated 11 distinct certification areas as critical shortages, from Math and Languages to Special Education. Families and students are left wondering: Why is there a teacher shortage now? The truth is, a single issue doesn’t cause the teacher shortage. It’s a perfect storm of economic, social, and policy-driven problems that needs the next generation of educators to fix.
To understand why our front desks are emptier, we need to look beyond the classroom and explore the root causes of the shortage, from wages to the ever-shifting classroom, considering how institutions like University of Bridgeport are working to bring passionate educators back to the head of the class.
The economics of education
One of many answers to the building question, “Why is there a teacher shortage?” is economic. Nationally, teachers earn roughly 26.9% less than other college-educated professionals with similar experience. In a state like Connecticut, this wage gap is felt.
The cost of living in CT plays a significant role in the state’s teacher shortage. The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk corridor is notable for having one of the highest costs of living in the country. As starting teacher salaries hover around $60,000 a year, many young professionals find it impossible to secure housing and manage expenses where they live.
Furthermore, education has a high barrier to entry due to credential requirements. In Connecticut, a Master’s in Elementary Education or a Master’s in Secondary Education is often required to maintain long-term licensure. These degrees are notoriously expensive, and many potential educators don’t want to take on that debt to work where starting salaries don’t match their slow rate of growth. When students ask, “So, where is there a teacher shortage?” the answer is often where degrees cost too much, and the pay’s too little.
Earn your teacher certification in as few as 15 months without paying any tuition.
The leaking pipeline
The pipeline into the profession is also under pressure. Enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs has dropped by more than 30% nationally over the last decade.
Even for experts, the outlook is sobering, raising the question underneath the question: Is there a teacher shortage because people don’t want to teach, or because the system has made it too challenging to stay in the profession?
Where is the teacher shortage most severe?
The shortage is widespread, but certain fields are feeling the gaps more than others. If you’re wondering, “Where is there a teacher shortage” in terms of subjects, these are the most critical:
- The STEM Gap: Hiring Math and Physics teachers is a significant hurdle for districts. Candidates with these skills can often make double the salary in the private sector compared to the public sector.
- The Bilingual Crisis: As Connecticut’s population becomes more diverse, there is a desperate need for TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and Dual Language educators.
- Special Education: This field consistently has the highest turnover rates due to the high stress and paperwork-heavy nature of the role, as well as the intense individual needs of students.
Rippling out
The teacher shortage doesn’t just hit the adults in the building. When children face a rotating door of long-term substitutes, they lose the familiar faces they need to thrive. They are often forced to learn the same concepts from different people using different methods, causing them to fall behind.
Furthermore, schools often end up combining classes to cover vacancies, stuffing 30 or more students in a single room. Like that, no student can get the individual attention they deserve. For the remaining teachers, a single vacancy means more duty work, such as hall monitoring, spreading the existing staff thin.
Our response
The teacher shortage in Connecticut is a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity. New educators are essential. At University of Bridgeport, we meet this challenge with flexible training models.
Whether you’re a graduate or a career changer, UB offers pathways to get you into the classroom supported. Our Master’s in Elementary Education and Master’s in Secondary Education programs use a tuition-paid internship model, allowing you to work in a district while earning your degree.
If you’re looking to lead, our Ed.D. in Educational Leadership provides the tools to manage modern districts. UB also offers a track to earn your 092 certificate while completing your doctorate. The 092 certificate is vital for becoming a principal or department head, where you can directly influence policy and retention.
Take your place at the head of the class
While the hurdles of pay and burnout are real, they are being met with advocacy and supportive training. If you’re up to the challenge, starting to wonder, “Is there a teacher shortage I can help out?” The answer is yes.
Becoming a teacher in 2026 means joining a profession with guaranteed demand, whether you choose an EdD in Educational Leadership or just want to teach because it’s a necessary part of our society’s structure. Learn more about becoming an educator at UB today.