As Michigan grapples with a state-wide teacher and instructor shortage, Upper Peninsula schools are especially suffering in their Special Education departments. Special education is used for children who may have mental or physical disabilities, and so need specialized learning plans.

“Having a disability and having an individualized education program is no different than needing glasses or needing high blood pressure medication,” Sarah Dandelet, a Special Education Teacher at Horizons Alternative High School, told TV6 News. “Or needing to take insulin, stuff for diabetes, in my mind.”

The Horizons Alternative High School, located in Mohawk, had 29 special education students at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. There are an estimated 720 students with special needs in the entirety of the Copper Country.

According to Dandelet, increasing the number of special education paraprofessionals would be extremely helpful.

“Paraprofessionals are so helpful and awesome,” she said. “I was just talking about it this morning with my principal. I would love to have a paraprofessional in every room.”

Several schools in the Upper Peninsula, including Houghton and L’Anse, are looking to hire special education aides. Schools in Baraga, Dollar Bay, Stanton Township and the CLK area are also searching for licensed special education workers.

Adams Township School District Superintendent Tim Keteri believes the amount of special education students is rising because more disabilities are being recognized.

“I know the ISD is working hard to get our paraprofessionals and working with them to get them more qualified,” Keteri said. “Maybe to better understand disabilities.”

CCISD Public Engagement Specialist David Sim says that paraprofessionals are trained to be more effective as aides or even special education teachers. However, Keteri argues that students often need more than an aide.

“There has to be some sort of fundamental change,” Keteri said. “If they’re going to have these different diagnoses and levels of disability. How are we going to address them so that the child is progressing and responding appropriately, instead of just, ‘Oh, we’ll just put in a one-on-one aide.'”

In an effort to handle the severe shortage of special education staff, the ‘Opening the Pipeline of Talent into Michigan’s Special Education’, or OPTIMISE, task force was created in 2021. OPTIMISE has been focusing on promotion efforts and attracting possible employees to special education jobs. According to the task force, there are over 4,000 special education job openings in the state of Michigan.

It’s believed that low pay, a difficult work-life balance, and a stressful work environment are all contributing factors in the teacher shortage. According to the Michigan Education Association, an estimated 10,000 teachers leave the education industry every year. Only 5,000 enter the teaching profession annually.

There is also a shortage of substitute teachers, which can make it difficult for teachers to take time off when it’s needed. Additionally, many educators have been moving between districts in search of better pay, more employee benefits, and better-funded facilities.