Virginia public schools had more than 3,200 unfilled teaching positions in 2024-25

Something’s missing in Virginia classrooms—and it’s not just school supplies.

According to the Virginia Department of Education Teacher Vacancy Dashboard, updated on Mar. 12, Virginia public schools had more than 3,200 unfilled teaching positions in the 2024-25 school year. 

Region 2—spanning the Tidewater and Eastern Shore—reported the highest teacher and staffing vacancy rate in the commonwealth at 6.53%. 

The Southwest’s Region 7 had the lowest teacher and staffing vacancy rate at 1.14%. 

Virginia’s top three critical shortage teaching endorsement areas for 2025-26 included:

1. Special Education PreK-12 
2. Elementary Education PreK-6 
3. Middle Education Grades 6-8 

Last year, the Virginia Department of Education announced plans to fill teacher vacancies. Ideas included:

• Expanding registered teacher apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities
• Offering one-year, nonrenewable local eligibility licenses
• Easing entry for out-of-state teachers in good standing with the universal licensure law

Related: Abigail Spanberger: ‘It’s time to get culture wars out of our schools and let teachers teach’