It’s an issue nationwide – not enough teachers to fill the classrooms of America’s public schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics nearly 80 percent of public school districts said they are struggling to find qualified candidates to fill open teaching positions, which number around 50,000 this school year.
While Jefferson County Public Schools’ (JCPS) retention rate for teachers is 94.6 percent and higher than the national average, the District is not immune from the teacher shortage. JCPS employed 6,856 teachers in the 2024-25 school year, and averages approximately 300 unfilled teaching vacancies per year. That’s why JCPS has launched several initiatives to recruit and “grow our own” certified teachers, particularly in critical needs areas like special education, multilingual learning and science.
Newer Initiatives
Option 9 Pathway to Certification – Now in its second year, this program allows University of Louisville (UofL) students to gain hands-on teaching experience while working as an instructional assistant alongside a JCPS mentor teacher.
Ohio Valley Education Cooperative (OVEC) First Time, Long Time Program – Provides tuition assistance and additional support for JCPS teachers in alternate certification programs or those earning certification in a critical shortage area like special education. Participants engage in monthly online support sessions and summer training.
Established Programs
Classified Employee Teacher Pipeline Program – Provides tuition assistance for full-time JCPS employees enrolled in a Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) approved Teacher Education Preparation Program.
Louisville Teacher Residency Program – A full-year apprenticeship where diverse, mission-driven candidates gain field experience, earn a master’s degree from UofL or Bellarmine University, and obtain a teaching license under the mentorship of a highly-qualified JCPS teacher.
Teach Kentucky Partnership – A nationwide recruitment initiative that brings alternative route teachers from across the country to JCPS through an MAT (Option 6) program. Participants receive relocation incentives, new teacher support, and may qualify for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.
Upcoming Initiatives
Option 7 Partnership (Spring 2025) – A collaboration between JCPS, OVEC, and UofL to launch a certification-only program aimed at degree holders who want to transition into teaching. Participants can get a provisional certificate to begin teaching immediately and complete the program, with full certification, in 18 months. Benefits include tuition assistance and a cohort-based learning model.
Teacher Apprenticeship Program (2025-26) – An expansion of the "Grow Your Own" initiative, this program will offer high school students in JCPS Teacher Pathway Programs a direct route into the teaching profession. Ten juniors will be chosen each year to learn alongside mentor teachers in JCPS classrooms. They will take classes at Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) and UofL and graduate high school with 48 college credit hours toward a teaching degree with a pledge to return to JCPS once they gain teacher certification.
“Everyone with an interest in our country’s future should be concerned about the lack of adults entering teaching - a truly rewarding profession,” said Dr. Marty Pollio, JCPS superintendent. “Along with our education partners, we’re doing our part to recruit, train AND retain our teachers and ensure that future generations of Louisville children have the opportunity for quality instruction, learning and success.”