Written: June 2022 Updated: February 2026
Teacher shortages don’t just show up as empty classrooms, they affect how students move through their school day, what courses districts can offer, and whether learners have consistent access to certified instruction. Across states like West Virginia, districts are turning to agencies that specalize in virtual learning, online instruction, and synchronous virtual models to support students, fill vacancies, and maintain continuity throughout the school year.
Understanding how a West Virginia school district uses live virtual instruction helps show how districts can respond to staffing gaps without compromising instructional quality. When designed intentionally, live virtual instruction becomes a sustainable option that supports students, educators, and long-term district planning.
Why Is There A Teacher Shortage In West Virginia?
The West Virginia Department of Education is currently investigating the growing teacher shortage. Former West Virginia state superintendent of schools Dr. Clayton Burch says, “In West Virginia, we’re losing 32% of all teachers in the first four years that they come into the profession. We’re not keeping teachers.”
Many teachers are burnt out and undercompensated for their intensive workload. The profession is becoming politicized, and teachers are villainized. Because of these working conditions, fewer students are graduating from college or university with a degree to teach mathematics.
WVU Associate Professor Dr. Matthew Campbell says, “There are not simply 700 or more empty classrooms in schools around the Mountain State at any given moment during the school year. There are adults in those classrooms. The problems, he said, come down to several issues: under-qualified short-term subs, long-term substitutes, retired former teachers filling in a role, and teachers forced to teach a subject they didn’t specialize in.” Students need access to certified teachers to receive consistent, high-quality instruction.
How the Teacher Shortage Affects Individual Districts
Districts across the state struggle to fill teaching positions with experienced educators. Wyoming County Schools faced ongoing math teacher vacancies across their K–12 schools and had difficulty filling those roles with fully certified teachers.
In response, the district brought in instructors from nontraditional pathways, including business and accounting fields. While these educators understood the content, many lacked formal teacher preparation and classroom experience. Wyoming County needed a solution that could both fill teacher vacancies and support instructional growth for its existing nontraditional educators.
What West Virginia Is Doing to Rectify the Situation
In 2022, the West Virginia Board of Education launched a revitalized website to support the Grow Your Own teacher preparation program. “Grow Your Own models are designed to provide innovative, low-cost pathways into the teaching profession. Grow Your Own West Virginia is one model that partners the county with an institution of higher education. Modeled after the nursing career technical education pathway, high school students begin the journey into the profession by earning credits and eventually classroom teaching experience before graduating high school. The goal is for candidates to enter a college with a minimum of 22 credit hours.”
21 counties are currently participating in the program, working toward long-term solutions to rebuild the local educator workforce.
Proximity Learning: Providing Live Virtual Instructors to Fill Teacher Vacancies
When the Wyoming County Schools superintendent visited an education conference, she heard Proximity Learning CEO Evan Erdberg speak about how live virtual instructors can expand access to certified teachers regardless of location.
Through synchronous virtual instruction, districts can stream certified teachers into classrooms to deliver full-time instruction aligned to local curriculum, bell schedules, and course requirements.
Administrators from Wyoming County Schools visited neighboring counties where Proximity Learning was already in place. Kara Mitchell, Director of Academic Programs at Wyoming County Schools, observed students learning comfortably from their teacher on screen while being supported in-person by a classroom facilitator.
Wyoming County began implementing Proximity Learning in August of 2019, launching 27 virtual courses across five schools. “From the very beginning, I have felt supported in this.”
“Our main goal was to make sure the transition was good and smooth for students, so we can provide them with the best instruction possible.”
Mitchell noted that Proximity Learning’s certified teachers were especially valuable after the nearby college discontinued its math teacher program, limiting the local supply of qualified educators.
How Proximity Learning Grows Local Teacher Talent
Beyond filling vacancies, Wyoming County uses Proximity Learning’s certified virtual teachers as mentors for local educators working toward certification. When talking to the district principals, she said they have seen teachers at Wyoming County Schools grow in their understanding of effective instructional techniques and how to manage a classroom.
This approach allows districts to address immediate staffing needs while also investing in their educators’ professional growth, supporting both instruction and long-term workforce development.
Student Outcomes of Proximity Learning
Students receiving instruction through Proximity Learning perform at or above state averages. Unlike asynchronous online learning, daily livestream interaction allows students, facilitators, and teachers to build strong relationships over time. Mitchell shared, “We have seen behavioral referrals decrease because of that.”
Another benefit is the ability to record lessons so students can revisit content if they are absent or need reinforcement. Breakout rooms and interactive activities also allow educators to meet diverse learner needs. As Mitchell explained, “It’s not just the teacher lecturing and the students taking notes. There’s so much more interaction and relationship building.”
Since implementing Proximity Learning, approximately 520 students in Wyoming County have accessed certified teachers through live video, supporting academic progress and success as well as social and emotional growth.
Helping Districts Fill Vacancies While Keeping Students Connected
Teacher shortages continue to impact districts across West Virginia, but they don’t have to limit student opportunity or instructional quality. By utilizing synchronous virtual instruction, districts can fill vacancies, expand access to core courses, and provide consistent support to students throughout the school year.
With over 15 years of experience and thousands of students served, Proximity Learning offers a stable, human-centered approach to live virtual instruction that complements in-person support. If your district is looking for a reliable way to address staffing gaps while keeping students engaged and supported, it’s time to talk to us today and explore how Proximity Learning can help.
