Memphis’ teacher vacancies have declined since Superintendent Marie Feagins took the helm in April. But few people pursued the role during a recent hiring fair, instead interested in other new school-based jobs.

Feagins has said the district’s goal is to shift personnel and resources back into schools. But it is not yet clear how many of these staffers will be teachers. 

For now, the district’s teacher shortage persists. 

Some 463 teaching positions remain unfilled, and outstanding offers could reduce the vacancies to about 300, Feagins told board members last week. That would be a meaningful reduction since Feagins took the district helm in April and reported 617 vacancies, representing about 10% of all teachers. 

But data shows few people at a June 25 hiring fair sought any of the open classroom jobs. Most applicants interviewed for new school-based roles with responsibilities that more closely reflect the academic advising and coaching positions that were just eliminated from the central office. At the fair, internal candidate offers for dean of student roles more than tripled offers or recommendations for teachers.