West40 Takes Important Role in Statewide Teacher Recruitment Campaign

The Illinois State Board of Education launched its “The Answer is Teaching Campaign” in July as a way to recruit more teachers. As part of that, West40 employees, including executive director Dr. Mark Klaisner, have reached out to more than 150 prospective teachers who are exploring becoming a teacher in the western suburbs of Chicago.

“What we are doing is meeting them where they are and helping guide them through the process to become a teacher,” said Kathleen O’Hara, West40’s Partnerships & Engagement specialist. “There are several ways to move into teaching, whether you want to become a fully licensed teacher or start as a paraprofessional, supporting a teacher in their classroom. Each prospective teacher has our contact information and they know we are here to help them find the best fit.”

According to ISBE, information collected annually from all Illinois school districts showed more than 4,000 unfilled teaching positions as of October 2023 with a third of vacancies in special education. Additionally, the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools released a survey report showing more than 90% of schools in the state reported having issues with teacher shortages in the 2023-24 school year. Shortages disproportionately affect students needing special education and bilingual education services, exacerbating disparities in educational access and outcomes. The campaign aims to attract and retain qualified teachers in these critical areas to promote equity in education in Illinois.

The $6 million comprehensive teacher recruitment campaign in English and Spanish is aimed at addressing critical shortages in the teaching profession across Illinois, especially in bilingual education, special education, and in rural and urban communities.According to ISBE, the campaign has received more than 1,750 inquiries from prospective teachers since the campaign launched.

“Teachers are the single most important investment we can make in our schools,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why ISBE’s ‘The Answer is Teaching’ campaign is building a bicultural and bilingual teacher pipeline, and empowering potential educators to join classrooms across the state. I encourage anyone who wants to learn what it takes to become an educator to visit the campaign’s website.”

You can learn more about this teacher recruitment campaign at www.BecomeATeacher.com.