January 15, 2026
For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
Office of Communications
301-952-6001
communications@pgcps.org
District nearly halves open teacher positions in one year
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), with strong support from County Executive Aisha Braveboy and county partners, proudly announces a dramatic reduction in teacher vacancies, alongside significant improvements to the district’s recruitment and hiring processes.
These gains come at a time when districts across the region and nation continue to face educator shortages, marking important progress toward ensuring every student has access to a certified, high-quality teacher.
“We have cut vacancies in half in just one year, which shows how quickly we can move when systems are aligned and people are supported,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph. “We are strengthening our workforce, improving how we recruit and raising the bar for how we bring talent
into PGCPS.
County Executive Aisha Braveboy applauded the work that the school district is doing. “Our PGCPS team is delivering, and our young people are reaping the benefits, including stability in the classroom. There is no better proof that when government, school leadership and labor partners work together toward our shared goal of excellence for students, parents, and all PGCPS stakeholders we win,”
she said.
Closing the Talent Gap: Real Results
The district's focused hiring efforts have yielded real results, nearly halving the number of open teacher positions in one academic year.
- Historic Reduction: PGCPS cut its total teacher vacancies by 52 percent, dropping from 900.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions in the 2024–25 academic year to just 434 FTE presently.
- Specialized Staffing: The district successfully reduced vacancies for Special Education (SPED) teachers from 242 at the end of the 2024-25 school year to 80 as of December 2026. We also reduced vacancies for SPED paraeducators and dedicated aides, ensuring enhanced support for students with diverse needs.
- Driver Shortage Addressed: For the first time, driver vacancies have fallen below 100 FTE, securing essential transportation services for students. Additionally, the new PGCPS Transportation Academy is opening new pathways for current employees interested in expanding their roles in pupil transportation. By targeting internal staff eligible for additional assignments, the academy is helping build a stronger, in-house pipeline of bus drivers. Six new drivers completed the program and began routes on December 1.
- Innovation in Recruitment and Hiring: A cornerstone of this success is ongoing improvement and optimization of the district’s hiring process, making it faster, more responsive, and more competitive.
- Digital Engagement Soars: The PGCPS Careers page has seen a surge in interest, with visits up 163% (a nearly threefold increase) over the same period last year, demonstrating the success of renewed outreach strategies.
- Fast-Track Processing: During the recent federal government shutdown, PGCPS launched a one-stop, fast-track substitute hiring model that allowed candidates to complete the full approval process — including fingerprinting and background checks — in a single visit. One event focused on federal employees, resulting in nearly 80 newly onboarded substitute teachers who began orientation as soon as the following week.
- Improved Responsiveness: Overall improvements in customer service and responsiveness have streamlined the entire application process, ensuring a positive experience for prospective employees.
