Mississippi’s teacher shortage continues to rise even as the Mississippi Department of Education intensifies efforts to increase the state’s educator workforce. Executive Director of Educator Talent Acquisition Courtney Van Cleve presented the findings of the 2023-2024 Educator Shortage Survey to the Mississippi Board of Education during its Feb. 15 meeting. Results show that schools have 5,012 vacancies among teachers, administrators and school support staff, an increase of 24 compared to the 2022-2023 school year.