Who’s Teaching the Class When No One’s Left?

Vacancies are no longer the exception in rural districts — they’re the new normal, and students are paying the price. 

By: Rachel Leatherman, raleathe@ttu.edu

Classrooms are full, but some don’t have a teacher. 

Across the Texas Panhandle, rural school districts are facing a growing teacher shortage. 

According to the Texas Education Agency’s 2023 staffing reports, more than 250 teaching positions remained unfilled across the region at the start of the school year. In districts like Dalhart, Friona and Canadian, even a few missing teachers can cause major disruptions in learning. 

Dalhart ISD, for example, reported 12 unfilled teaching roles in August, based on district job postings and local board documents. That’s nearly 10 percent of its teaching staff.  

Pay is part of the problem. The agency’s 2023 educator compensation report shows that the average salary in rural Panhandle districts ranges from $47,000 to $52,000. 

In comparison, teachers in urban districts such as Amarillo ISD and Lubbock ISD earn closer to $55,000 or more. That gap is pushing educators toward better-paying areas, even if it means relocating. 

Rural life itself can also be a barrier. A 2022 report from the Texas Association of School Boards found that early-career teachers are less likely to take jobs in towns with limited housing, entertainment or services. In Dalhart, for instance, the nearest hospital and large grocery store are about 40 miles apart — a distance that makes the location a tough sell for many. 

That’s part of what influenced Taylor Swanson’s decision. As Tech Teach senior at Texas Tech, she is among the many early-career educators who chose to move to a city instead of a rural town.

“I would be offered $20,000 less in a contract from a rural town than a city,” Swanson said. “It’s hard ’cause I know these towns need teachers, but I have to make a living too, you know?” 

As more teachers make similar decisions, rural schools are turning to short-term fixes. State data show a growing number of uncertified or emergency-certified teachers across the Panhandle. A September update from Canadian ISD confirmed the district filled three positions with long-term substitutes due to a lack of certified applicants. 

The shortage is cutting into what schools can offer. According to Friona ISD’s 2023–24 course catalog, advanced classes such as AP Calculus and chemistry were dropped this year due to staffing limits. Tulia ISD reported similar issues in a notice to parents, citing increased class sizes and fewer electives. 

Special education and bilingual education are also being affected. A 2023 report from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) showed that in several Panhandle districts, only one certified special education teacher served the entire district. In Hereford ISD, the same report noted a complete lack of certified bilingual instructors, even though more than 40 percent of students are English learners. 

These shortages are part of a statewide trend. The TEA’s 2023 attrition report found that 49,782 teachers left their jobs in Texas during the 2022–23 academic year — the highest number on record. At the same time, enrollment in teacher preparation programs dropped 22 percent since 2015, according to the University of Houston’s Center for Education Policy Research. 

To slow the exodus, the Texas Legislature approved one-time retention bonuses in 2023 ranging from $2,000 to $6,000, with the highest amounts going to rural and high-need districts. The initiative was included in House Bill 100, according to the Legislative Budget Board. Still, many administrators say it doesn’t address the long-term causes of the shortage. 

Some districts are developing their own solutions. Canadian ISD began offering housing stipends for new hires, according to a May board report. Dumas ISD launched a “grow-your-own” program to help classroom aides earn certification, and others are working with colleges such as Amarillo College to bring in student teachers. 

These strategies show promise, but long-term solutions may need to come from the state. A 2023 analysis from the Texas American Federation of Teachers recommended increasing base salaries, improving working conditions and expanding housing in rural areas to retain educators. 

In the meantime, students in small towns are the most affected. Research from the Learning Policy Institute found that students in schools with high teacher turnover are more likely to fall behind academically, especially when core classes such as math, science or special education are disrupted. 

Each vacancy doesn’t just stretch staff thin; it cuts into students’ learning, limits their options and puts entire classrooms at risk of falling behind.  

The teacher shortage in Panhandle schools isn’t a warning anymore — it’s reality.