Oklahoma Teacher Shortage Worsens as Schools Scramble to Fill Hundreds of Vacancies in 2025

Tulsa, Okla. — As the new school year approaches, Oklahoma school districts are facing a critical teacher shortage, scrambling to fill hundreds of open positions statewide just weeks before classes begin. The ongoing staffing crisis threatens to impact the quality of education for thousands of students across the state.

Statewide Teacher Shortage Hits Oklahoma Schools Hard

Tulsa Public Schools currently reports about 50 unfilled teaching positions less than a week before the first day of school. Similarly, Union Public Schools is actively recruiting to fill at least five vacancies but notes the shortage is part of a larger statewide problem affecting hundreds of districts.

According to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education:

• Approximately 6,000 teaching positions open annually across Oklahoma.

• Over 4,000 emergency certified teachers are currently working in classrooms statewide.

Emergency certification is a temporary licensure allowing individuals to teach without completing traditional teacher preparation programs, a sign of the acute shortage many districts face.

How the Teacher Shortage Affects Oklahoma Students

School officials warn that relying heavily on long-term substitutes and emergency-certified teachers puts a strain on educational resources and may negatively affect student learning outcomes.

“This is an urgent issue that impacts every community in Oklahoma,”said a Union Public Schools hiring director. “We need qualified, certified teachers in classrooms to ensure every child receives a high-quality education.”

The shortage is particularly felt in critical subject areas such as math, science, special education, and English language learning, where certified teachers are hardest to find.

Statewide Efforts to Address the Crisis

Oklahoma education leaders are working to address the teacher shortage through recruitment drives, incentives, and partnerships with universities and alternative certification programs. However, challenges remain in retaining qualified educators amid competitive salaries and working conditions.

Parents, educators, and lawmakers are closely monitoring the situation, urging for immediate and long-term solutions to support teacher recruitment and retention statewide.

What’s Next for Oklahoma Schools?

With school starting soon, districts will continue their efforts to fill vacancies and minimize the impact on classrooms. The use of emergency certified teachers and substitutes is expected to continue as a stopgap while permanent hires are made.

Radio Oklahoma News Network will continue to track developments on Oklahoma’s teacher shortage, staffing challenges, and education initiatives aimed at securing the state’s teaching workforce.