By Jefferson Diaz
The Truth Reporter
The shortage of teachers in Toledo’s elementary and high schools is a big problem. Although it’s a problem that repeats throughout the United States, Toledo Public School (TPS) is doing everything possible to solve it.
This shortage is rooted in several reasons: low wages, long working hours and lack of work-life balance. All of these reasons help to make Toledo Public Schools dependent on substitute teachers. By the end of 2024, Toledo public schools had 206 long term substitute teachers, which translated into 12 percent of its teaching staff.
Bob Vasquez, president of the TPS board, believes that in order to solve the shortage of teachers, young people must be encouraged to major in education. “We must inspire them and guide them to follow the steps of the teachers that are educating them right now,” he says.
Part of that inspiration came this week during the Aspiring Young Educators conference held at the University of Toledo. There, Tom and Betsy Brady donated $1 million dollars to open the Brady Educator and Social Services Academy on the new Scott Park University campus.
One hundred TPS students between grades six and eight, who have expressed their desire to be teachers when they grow up, attended the conference. Romules Durant, EdD, TPS superintendent, thanked Tom and Betsy Brady for their donation and assured that “they have dedicated their experience, time and passion to creating environments where children can learn,” said Durant.
This academy is expected to open its doors for the 2026 – 2027 school year at the renovated Scott Park campus and the million dollars donated will be managed by the TPS Foundation and used to maintain the academy’s facilities, curriculum and scholarships.