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SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah’s schools and districts are feeling the strain of a nationwide shortage of special education teachers.
The Learning Disabilities Association of America reports that 55% of U.S. schools struggled to fill special education teaching positions during the 2023-2024 academic year.
“We’re increasingly relying on substitute teachers to maintain our staffing ratios,” said Shaniqua Gresham, CEO of the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism in Savannah.
Gresham noted that during the 2025-2026 school year, the center operated without a full staff for five months.
While those vacancies have since been filled, she acknowledged the staffing gap had a significant impact on students.
“If you’re used to seeing someone every single day and you’re not seeing that person again, that can make you a little anxious. So your ability to sit down and hear instruction may look a little bit different,” she said.
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) said it is experiencing something similar, but with both special education and general education teachers.
In a statement to , a spokesperson said, “While these shortages are interconnected, we are encouraged by the momentum we are gaining in reducing overall vacancies across the district.”
Theresa Watson, president of the Savannah Federation of Teachers/PSRP, said there are a few reasons why she believes there is a nationwide shortage.
“It may be because of the responsibilities that they are having to face, the overload of just documentation that they have to do from day to day is what I believe is keeping folks from coming into this profession as special education teachers,” Watson said.
Gresham said she feels that having an inclusive environment for these students to learn in, and teachers who know them best, is necessary.
“It’s important for our students to feel involved and included in the community that you and I are able to just walk in every day. So it’s important for us to have the additional support,” said Gresham.
Gresham said parents can do a lot at home to support the needs of their children, like advocating for them, taking time to understand what they do in school and what kinds of extra resources they may need.