CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A survey by the National Education Association shows nearly 1 in 3 teachers say COVID-19 has made them more likely to leave the classroom. But at UNC Charlotte, student teachers are thriving and ready to fill openings across the state and country. 

What You Need to Know

1 in 3 teachers say COVID-19 has made them more likely to leave the classroom

The N.C. DPI says it has 7,000 teacher vacancies

UNC Charlotte's teacher graduate program had a 54% increase in enrollment this year

The university’s teaching program has seen a boom in enrollment, despite national reports the pandemic has prompted some educators to rethink their careers. 

The NEA poll also shows 28% of teachers across the country say the pandemic caused them to take early retirement or quit. 

In North Carolina, the state’s Department of Public Instruction says it has about 7,000 teacher vacancies, which it typically averages a year. 

Dean Teresa Petty of UNCC’S Cato College of Education says enrollment in the graduate program increased 54% this past year with currently more than 700 students enrolled.

“Perhaps it’s highlighted the need to prepare our future, and I think people who pursue the career it’s a calling for them, and they’re passionate about growing young minds,” Petty said.

One of those students in the graduate teaching certification program is Leah Rausch. She worked in the restaurant industry for 17 years before deciding to go back to school to get her bachelor’s degree in history. 

Rausch is now working to become a middle school teacher. While the pandemic is contributing to many current teachers leaving, for Rausch the pandemic has been a motivation. 

"Knowing that we’d already had a teacher shortage and now it’s compounded by the pandemic, in a weird way the pandemic motivated me to reach that goal,” Rausch said.

Rausch finished her certification last month and will be in a local school this upcoming school year.