THE STATE OF MILWAUKEE: As a city, Milwaukee stands at the crossroads, where shifting policies, economic pressures, and community efforts are shaping the future of the city’s neighborhoods, businesses, and public services. This feature reviews one of those interconnected and evolving challenges affecting local residents today. Following Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s State of the City 2025 Address on March 3, this article is part of a series that explores everything from policing and public safety to healthcare, education, housing, business, infrastructure, and environmental changes. It also highlights the tension between progress and persistent disparities, focusing on policy decisions, economic realities, and how they impact daily life for Milwaukee residents.
Milwaukee faces one of its most pressing challenges in recent memory, a shortage of qualified teachers. School administrators, parents, and education experts alike say the situation has left classrooms understaffed and students at risk of losing valuable learning opportunities.
While educators caution that the shortage has been years in the making, the current shortfall underscores a broader, nationwide problem that is hitting Wisconsin’s largest city particularly hard.
In Milwaukee, the teacher shortage is not just a statistic, it is a daily reality. It is not uncommon to find substitute teachers and staff members covering multiple classes at once and, in some cases, open teaching positions remaining vacant well into the academic year.
A GROWING CONCERN
The state Department of Public Instruction, in its recent workforce report, noted that the number of newly licensed teachers in Wisconsin has dropped over the last decade, leaving districts scrambling to hire qualified professionals.
During the summer months, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) often steps up its recruiting efforts. In past years, administrators have attended job fairs, partnered with educator-preparation programs, and offered hiring bonuses in specialized subjects. Despite the initiatives, MPS sees an increase in the number of its unfilled teaching vacancies.
WHY THE SHORTAGE NOW?
The reasons for the shortfall are varied. Some experts point to a changing perception of the teaching profession. The heavy workload, coupled with relatively modest salaries, can deter new graduates from entering the field. Others point to a decline in enrollment in teacher education programs, both statewide and nationally.
Several factors influence these enrollment declines, including rigorous certification requirements and concerns about the financial burdens of student debt. Another dimension is teacher attrition, where experienced educators, feeling burnout or drawn to higher-paying positions outside teaching, choose to leave. The combination of fewer newcomers and higher attrition has created what many see as a perfect storm for districts like Milwaukee.
IMPACT ON STUDENTS AND CLASSROOMS
As the shortage intensifies, the effect on classroom dynamics can be significant. In some schools, class sizes have ballooned. Larger classes make it harder for educators to give individualized attention to struggling students or to incorporate personalized learning strategies. The shortage also forces principals to rely on long-term substitute teachers, who might not have the same subject-matter expertise or pedagogical training as certified teachers.
Parents in Milwaukee have expressed concerns over these changes. Some worry that their children, especially those with special learning needs, are not receiving the support and interventions they once did. Educators explain that while substitutes and paraprofessionals perform valuable roles, the absence of a qualified classroom teacher over long stretches can hinder continuity of instruction and hamper student progress.
STRESS ON EXISTING TEACHERS
While the direct impact on students is often discussed, the toll on the remaining teachers in schools is just as significant. In many Milwaukee classrooms, teachers are asked to take on extra responsibilities, including curriculum development, mentoring newer staff, and even administrative tasks. Over time, the increased workload can lead to burnout, further fueling the cycle of attrition.
MPS officials have bolstered partnerships with local universities, encouraging undergraduates in education programs to consider teaching in Milwaukee through early internships and scholarships. Additionally, the district has invested in professional development to support paraprofessionals who may want to transition into full-time teaching roles.
There has also been a push for alternative certification pathways. These allow individuals with bachelor’s degrees in high-need subjects, such as STEM fields, to pursue a specialized route to teaching certification, often while they are already in the classroom. Advocates say it is a strategic way to fill hard-to-staff positions, though critics worry that fast-tracking certifications may not fully prepare new teachers for the challenges they will face in urban classrooms.
PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE NOT IMMUNE
Though Milwaukee’s largest public school district has received the most attention, the teacher shortage is also affecting local private and charter schools. Many of these institutions operate with fewer administrative staff, making the impact of teacher vacancies even more acute. School leaders say they are seeing fewer applications for open positions, and rely on part-time educators who juggle multiple roles.
Experts warn that if the teacher shortage continues at its current pace, regions across Wisconsin may see a decline in academic achievement over time. Large class sizes and reliance on substitutes can directly affect standardized test performance, graduation rates, and overall student engagement. In the longer run, a less-prepared workforce would hamper the city’s economic prospects, making it harder for local businesses to find skilled employees.
Persistent shortages may also dissuade families from moving into Milwaukee neighborhoods. School quality is often one of the top considerations for families looking to settle, and if the district cannot guarantee consistent staffing, some parents may opt for schools outside the city. The enrollment drain would then reduce public funding to MPS, further exacerbating the problem.
POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS AND INNOVATION
Many educational experts say the teacher shortage could be mitigated with innovative programs aimed at both recruitment and retention. One commonly cited strategy is “grow-your-own” teacher initiatives, which identify potential educators from within the district’s student body. The idea is to inspire young people to see teaching as a viable, rewarding career and support them throughout college.
Another approach involves improving working conditions for current teachers. Proponents suggest mentorship programs for new hires, a stronger emphasis on collaboration between teachers and administrators, and more flexible pathways for career advancement within the district. Competitive salaries and benefits are also part of the conversation, although budget constraints often make significant pay increases challenging.
Teachers who remain on the job say they do so because they feel deeply connected to Milwaukee’s youth. Yet, many educators hope the public and policymakers will move beyond words of concern and enact concrete policies that address challenges such as class size, compensation, and professional support.
The stakes are high, and each choice made today will have a lasting impact on future generations. For families, teachers, and policy leaders, the hope is that Milwaukee will find a sustainable path forward, one that keeps talented educators in classrooms where they are needed most.
© Photo
Henryk Sadura and James Meyer (via Shutterstock)
