Teacher shortages — made worse by COVID-19 — shutter schools across U.S.

Classes are canceled for thousands of students across the U.S. as a teacher shortage exacerbated by COVID-19 takes a toll. 

Public schools have for years contended with a shortage of educators. But the pandemic has made the problem more acute, as the stress of teaching during the coronavirus has spurred many in the profession to resign or retire. Indeed, Americans have been quitting jobs in record numbers, and educators are no exception — 30,000 public school teachers gave notice in September alone, according to the Labor Department. 

Some point to a lack of staff for the decision to close schools; others say overworked educators and students are sorely in need of some down time after a year of upheaval. Staffing shortages in Colorado schools had three public schools in Denver switching to remote-learning in recent days, while another three districts in the metro area canceled classes altogether on November 12 because they were unable to find enough substitute teachers.