SC educator shortage keeps worsening. Could retired teachers help solve it?

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Year after year, schools across South Carolina have dealt with challenges finding qualified, certified teachers, as the state’s educator shortage keeps growing to unprecedented levels.

Now more districts are looking not just to recent college graduates to fill these positions but also to those on the other end of the spectrum: retirees.

Some schools believe bringing in these most experienced educators could play a greater role in addressing the worsening teacher vacancy issue.

“There are teachers that still want to work, even though you retire,” Cynthia Montgomery-Smith said. “And I have nothing to do. But I love teaching. That’s my heart.”

Montgomery-Smith, who has taught decades in South Carolina schools, said the teacher shortage makes her want to get back in the classroom even more.

“It’s sad that they don’t have teachers to help these students. I feel a need to go help them a few more years, because it’s definitely needed,” she said.

More and more districts are looking to retirees to help fill those vacancies.

“I think there is a significant potential here for districts to get really exceptional teachers in front of our students,” Patrick Kelly with the Palmetto State Teachers Association said.

But retired teachers who wish to return to the classroom can face some barriers.

A big one: State policy prohibits former educators who collect their monthly pension — which they must have at least 28 years of work experience to draw — from earning more than $10,000 annually, which Kelly said can be a deterrent.

By contrast, no first-year public school teacher in the state will earn less than $47,000 next year.

“Yes, teaching is a calling, but people still expect to be compensated at a fair value for their work,” Kelly said.

But that earnings cap is waived if a school district cannot find another qualified applicant for jobs in areas of critical need, both geographically and by subject matter.

Given where the teacher shortage stands right now, that includes nearly 70 subject areas and more than 1,400 schools in South Carolina, according to documents from the South Carolina Department of Education.

So more districts, like Richland County School District One, where Montgomery-Smith is looking to return, are actively recruiting retired teachers.

In Richland One’s case, they are offering more flexibility for teachers to come back on a full-time, part-time, substitute, or even hourly basis.

“That’s the kind of innovative approach that districts need to take,” Kelly said.

Schools believe there is additional value in welcoming the most experienced educators back into the classroom.

“Not only would it be a help as filling the positions but also serving as mentors and supporting those new teachers in the field of education,” Richland One Coordinator of Recruitment and Retention Felicia Richardson said. “So the help that retirees can give, it goes beyond just filling those classroom positions.”

Kelly said a bill that failed to reach the governor’s desk this year could help attract more retired teachers back to schools.

It would create a permanent educator certificate so teachers do not have to recertify every five years, as they do now, which he said can be a barrier to retirees’ returns if their certificates have lapsed.

This year, state lawmakers did approve the addition of five more steps on the teacher pay schedule, which is based on education level and years of experience, from 23 to 28.

With this, veteran teachers are now guaranteed additional raises later in their careers, which could keep some of them in the classroom for longer.

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