The state of Georgia has reported over 6,000 teacher vacancies in 2025, according to the Georgia Department of Audits & Accounts, some of which have been filled by teachers without full credentials.
On Jan. 30, GCSU hosted its annual Teacher Recruitment Fair, where recruiters from across the U.S. came to connect with the next generation of educators. Over 60 different school districts made an appearance. This event allows future educators to network with recruiters and explore different job openings in the education field.
“GCSU has given me the opportunity to chase my dreams and I’m forever grateful,” said Ansley Abner, a senior education major. “I’ve traveled to Indianapolis and other places for conferences and seminars. I’m excited to get my career started here in a couple of months.”
Just days after GCSU’s annual teaching fair, the College of Education hosted high school students on Feb. 4 as part of the Future Georgia Educators Day. These students were given the opportunity to interact with future educators at GCSU and learn about what it takes to become a teacher at GCSU.
As part of the event, Rachel Kinsaul, 2026 Georgia Teacher of the Year, gave a seminar about what it means to chase your dreams to GCSU future educators as well as high school students. She encouraged aspiring teachers to continue in their pursuit of nurturing young minds, motivating them to stick with it through hardships and appreciating the opportunities they have now.
“Considering my teaching career is young, I love everything about being able to inspire children where I am,” said junior education major Manisha Rushing. “GCSU has been awesome and I cannot express how much love I have for this school and my cohort.”
There is a significant need for teachers across the state of Georgia and GCSU has been working hard to help reduce this shortage.
GCSU has been proactive, as the John H. Lounsbury College of Education has produced nearly 1,000 educators in the past five years.
“I have loved student teaching so much,” said Aubrey Gerber, a senior education major. “My cohort has been the best. I can’t wait to start teaching and pouring into these children in August.”
GCSU offers multiple routes for students who aspire to be teachers. Between a special education B.S., or an elementary education B.S., GCSU wants to continue to inspire future teachers, especially in Georgia.
GCSU students have a thorough process in which early education majors must complete. The process starts with applying to the John H. Lounsbury College of Education cohort. Students can apply in their second year at GCSU. Following the application process, students must go through an interview process to be considered for acceptance into a cohort. Students will then spend most of their undergraduate program student-teaching around the Milledgeville and Eatonton area.
“The cohort process is stressful because you know you have to get in to be a teacher,” said Pressley Painter, a senior education major . “I’ve spent most of my life knowing that I want to give back and teach children. Getting accepted into the education cohort was such a joy.”
As GCSU continues to address the state-wide teacher shortage, it will continue to invest in the next generation of educators, from high school classrooms to college cohorts.
For more information regarding GCSU’s College of Education, visit www.gcsu.edu/education.