As students prepare to return to classrooms next month, Kansas City area school districts are racing to fill key teaching and support roles—especially in special education, math, and science.
School officials say positions that require specialized training, like high school math or special education, remain the toughest to staff. However, they emphasize that every role—from bus drivers to cafeteria staff—is vital to a successful school year.
“We have to get our babies back and forth to school, so we need those school bus drivers,” said Dr. Marica Rhone, assistant director of HR for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. “We need food service workers. It’s hard to learn when you’re hungry.”
Incentives and Career Growth
To address the shortages, districts are:
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Hosting hiring fairs, like Wednesday’s event at Mount Carmel Church of God in Christ.
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Offering mentorship for first-year teachers.
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Providing stipends for hard-to-fill roles.
Rhone, who started as a classroom teacher over 20 years ago, praised the district’s supportive culture.
“There’s a path for you—whether you’re just starting or looking to grow,” she said.
Statewide Staffing Struggles
The staffing crisis extends across Missouri. According to a St. Louis University PRiME Center report, nearly 40% of Missouri teachers leave within five years, despite a slight drop in turnover last year.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education continues to list math, science, social studies, elementary education, and special education as high-need areas.
Hickman Mills Steps Up
In response, the Hickman Mills School District is also stepping up its hiring game. The district held a fair Wednesday at Hickman Mills Middle School to fill about 40 teaching and 40 support roles—from paraprofessionals to custodians and fine arts teachers.
“Salary is important,” said Dr. Dawn Smith, Hickman Mills’ HR director, “but we also want to create a culture where teachers feel valued and supported.”
More Hiring Events Ahead
Other districts are following suit. The Shawnee Mission School District will host a career fair on Thursday focused on non-teaching roles such as:
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Custodians
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Paraeducators
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IT staff
As schools count down to the first day, leaders across the metro are encouraging community members to consider careers in education—whether in the classroom or behind the scenes—where they can truly make a difference.
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