News Summary
The Clark County School District has reported significant improvements in addressing its teacher shortage, hiring 800 new teachers and reducing vacancies to 280. While the district is making strides, challenges remain, including managing classroom behavior post-COVID and concerns about teacher work-life balance. Initiatives like the Nevada Forward Apprenticeship Program and financial support for teacher retention aim to bolster the education workforce. Legislators are also working on solutions for international educators with temporary visas to ensure stability in staffing.
Las Vegas, NV – The Clark County School District (CCSD), which previously struggled with a severe teacher shortage, has recently reported improvements, hiring 800 new teachers and reducing vacancies to just 280 as of the 2025-26 academic year. This marks a significant turnaround from the 1,367 teaching positions that were vacant when Megan Griffard returned to the district in 2022.
Griffard, who started her teaching career at Mojave High School and is now an assistant professor at UNLV specializing in education policy, emphasizes the ongoing challenges in the teaching profession. These include a negative public perception of educators and inadequate salaries that make supporting families difficult.
Despite the recent hiring surge, some educators remain concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student behavior, which complicates staffing efforts. Vicki Kreidel, an experienced educator, notes that the increased difficulty in managing classrooms is prompting many teachers to reconsider their career choices due to stress and work-life balance issues.
A report by the Learning Policy Institute highlights the ongoing staffing crisis, ranking Nevada in the lowest national quintile for school vacancies, job security for teachers, and spending per pupil. While policymakers are beginning to address the staffing issues, the crisis persists, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas.
In the past two years, Teach For America has successfully contributed nearly 100 new teachers to the state’s education system, while also focusing on retaining its alumni within the profession. Furthermore, the Nevada Forward Apprenticeship Program, initiated by UNLV in 2021, currently supports over 1,200 students with free tuition for those already working in teaching-adjacent roles. This initiative was funded through federal resources in response to the pandemic and aims to improve teacher recruitment and retention in Nevada.
The recent resolution of delays in funding from the U.S. Department of Education will allocate over $61 million to support teacher retention programs in Nevada, providing much-needed financial aid as schools deal with substantial shortages. However, Kreidel emphasizes the necessity for enhanced mental health resources for educators who are experiencing stress-related health issues as a result of their work.
Griffard observes that it is more economically feasible to retain current teachers rather than continuously recruit new staff, many of whom may not stay long-term. Kreidel advises new teachers to prioritize their work-life balance, setting a positive example for their students.
The article also mentions the complexities surrounding international educators on temporary visas. Legislative efforts are underway to assist these teachers in transitioning to long-term work statuses. Assemblymember Erica Mosca has proposed a bill to provide financial assistance for foreign teachers moving from J-1 to H-1B visas. This initiative is part of Nevada’s ongoing strategy to recruit international teachers, which began in 2017, with a cap of 175 international hires each year due to staffing regulations.
In addition, the Mineral County School District has benefited from foreign teachers, particularly from the Philippines, helping to alleviate local teacher shortages while also enhancing cultural diversity in classrooms. A considerable portion of their teaching staff consists of J-1 visa holders, which has been pivotal in maintaining operational capacity despite the broader vacancy crisis.
The J-1 visa program has raised concerns about the financial burden placed on teachers, leading to calls for reforms to address excessive fees imposed by aid agencies. Local districts are exploring direct sponsorship of J-1 visas to help mitigate costs for teachers while ensuring that schools maintain sufficient staffing levels. Assembly members are working on solutions to minimize agency fees and support the shift toward H-1B visas for more stable, long-term employment opportunities for teachers.
As ongoing educational initiatives continue to support the next generation, programs like the Homegrown Teacher Program aim to spark interest in teaching among local students. These programs are funded through local grants and are important steps toward addressing the teacher shortage in North Las Vegas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Clark County School District Sees Major Decrease in Teacher Vacancies
Clark County School District Reduces Teacher Vacancies
Federal Funding Cuts Threaten Nevada Schools
Las Vegas Focuses on Traffic Safety Amid Rising Fatalities
Clark County Schools Host Crossing Guard Hiring Events
Nevada Implements New Accountability Standards in Education
Communities In Schools Launches Annual Supply Drive
Las Vegas Teacher Inspires Kindness in Students
Nevada Leaders Propose Competing Education Bills
Nevada Democrats Propose Major Education Reform Bill
Additional Resources
- Las Vegas Sun
- Wikipedia: Teacher Shortage
- The Nevada Independent
- Google Search: Teacher Shortage Nevada
- Nevada Current
- Google Scholar: Foreign Teachers Impact
- Review Journal
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Educational Policy
- News 3 LV
- Google News: Nevada Legislature Teacher Raises
Author: STAFF HERE LAS VEGAS WRITER
LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
