GARY, Ind. (WLS) — it feels like August just started, but already some students are going back to school Thursday.

Gary students will hit the books once again Thursday morning. But as the district heads back to school, they are dealing with a substantial teacher shortage.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

To help fill the gap in the meantime, some middle and high school students will have virtual teachers.

The Gary Community School Corporation Board of Trustees voted over the summer to retain proximity learning.

So while a teacher is prepping and taking licensure exams, students will be instructed by a qualified virtual teacher with an in-person facilitator assisting students in the classroom.

Once a teacher is hired to fill a role, virtual instruction ends.

The need for these virtual teachers was made apparent by the expected loss of a large number of public schools personnel who are not yet fully licensed.

More than 80 teachers on emergency licenses were let go, with at least 41 virtual teachers ready to go operating at the middle and high school levels.

District officials say while the model might seem unusual, other districts across the country are using similar methods to fill gaps left by a teacher shortage.