TYLER, Texas – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced new waivers that push back the state‑mandated phase‑out of uncertified teachers in core subjects to the 2029 school year for several East Texas districts, including Tyler, Longview and Nacogdoches. The move comes as the number of uncertified teachers in Texas classrooms has more than tripled since 2019, rising from roughly 4% of the workforce to over 42,000 teachers during the 2024‑25 school year.
State law and the waiver process
Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation last year requiring all uncertified teachers to be removed from core‑subject classrooms by the 2027‑28 school year. Persistent staffing challenges, however, prompted the TEA to grant extensions for districts that can demonstrate acute shortages in specialized areas such as bilingual education, special education, mathematics and science.
Local educators sound the alarm
Janette Aguilar, a senior education major at the University of Texas at Tyler who will graduate this December, described the shortage as “impossible to ignore.” Aguilar, who interned in an East Texas district, recounted stepping in for students who had “no kind of resources” and translating materials for families in need.
“We need teachers. We do need teachers. It’s sad to see that there’s a lot of schools that have a shortage,” Aguilar said.
University‑district partnerships as a solution
Robert DeHaas, dean of the School of Education at UT Tyler, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between higher‑education institutions and local districts. “We have shortages of bilingual teachers, we have shortages in special education, we have shortages of math and science teachers,” he said. DeHaas called for expanded access to higher education, paid district internships and targeted training programs to attract and retain qualified educators.
“People don’t want to be teachers,” DeHaas added. “What really excites me every day is that we get the opportunity to combat that narrative head on.”
Political leadership and future steps
Governor‑elect Gina Hinojosa, who will assume office in January, has highlighted higher compensation as a key lever for retaining certified teachers. She is pushing for increased funding and pay raises while also pledging to replace the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency to ensure stronger oversight of certification standards.
While the waivers provide short‑term relief, education officials stress that long‑term solutions will require sustained investment in teacher preparation programs, competitive salaries and robust support for specialized instruction.
What this means for families
For parents and students in Tyler, Longview, Nacogdoches and surrounding communities, the extensions mean that many classrooms will continue to be taught by teachers who are still working toward full certification. Advocates urge families to stay engaged with school boards and district leaders, advocating for resources that support both certified and aspiring teachers.
As the state works toward the 2029 deadline, the focus remains on building a pipeline of qualified educators who can meet the diverse needs of Texas’ growing student population.
Original reporting: KLTV 7 Tyler (news) — read the source article.
