Pandemic contributes to nationwide teacher shortages

LaSalle Township, Illinois — When students recently returned to Illinois' LaSalle-Peru High School, the number of teachers didn't add up. The pandemic has accelerated a teacher shortage years in the making, superintendent Steven Wrobleski said. 

"It would not be uncommon to have between 50 and 100 applicants in years past," he said. "Now, if we get between one and five applicants, that's a good day."  The school was not fully staffed when classes started, he said.