More uncertified teachers in Vermilion Parish than ever before

There is a growing trend of uncertified teachers statewide, as well as in Vermilion Parish.
In the past four years, the number of uncertified teachers in Vermilion Parish has more than doubled. In 2021, there were only 65 uncertified teachers out of approximately 675. By last year, this number increased to 112.
This school year, the number is now 125.
In Vermilion Parish public schools, there are a total of 675 teaching positions available (excluding charter schools), with 125 of those filled by uncertified teachers. Approximately 19 percent of teachers in Vermilion Parish are uncertified, which is about one in every six teachers. For comparison, last year the ratio was one out of seven teachers.
Last year, the state average of uncertified teachers was 9%, and the national average is 4%.
Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler said, “I just think there is a shortage of teachers coming out of the university, and unfortunately, there are not enough teachers to go around. With the onset of school choice, you also have more opportunities for teachers. Many are working at charter schools, private schools, and homestudy programs. The demand for teachers is at an all-time high, but the supply is limited.”
Only eight uncertified teachers were teaching in Vermilion Parish in 2013-14.
In 2015-16, the number of uncertified teachers jumped to 34. It remained around 35 until the 2021 school year, when it jumped to 58.  In 2021, there were 61 uncertified teachers in the school system.
It jumped from eight in 2013 to 125 in 2025.
Byler hopes that the record number of 125 will eventually decrease. He mentioned that there are about 35 uncertified teachers with college degrees working in a special program to obtain certification.
Byler said, “We are excited, however, that many of our uncertified teachers, who do hold a college degree, are in a program of study and have been with us for multiple years as they work towards their certification. This consistency has helped the district continue to succeed despite more uncertified teachers than normal.”
The school district did not provide a breakdown of which school has the most uncertified teachers.
School board member Jason Roy, a former teacher,  said increasing salaries would help attract young people to education.
“I believe we are losing teachers to surrounding districts due to better pay,  said Roy.  “Also, there is a decline in young people graduating from universities as certified teachers. I also believe that we have lost some aspiring teachers due to the amount of stress we tend to put on our new teachers regarding curriculum and curriculum development, or lack thereof. We expect a lot here in Vermilion.”
Roy said he predicts there will be an increase in uncertified teachers due to the increased demands on certified teachers.
“Teachers have to be strong-skinned and be able to deal with the scrutiny of every person with a social media account who has a difference of opinion on how they deal with their class, etc. We are in difficult times here in the public education sector,” Roy said. 

Will the number of uncertified teachers continue to rise?

Byler added,  “I think it will level off as we have more programs out there that are certifying teachers from a non-traditional education route. We also have programs like Educators Rising that are introducing students to the field of teaching, and we have had some success with students majoring in Education because of an interest gained in Ed Rising.”

Would a higher salary attract more certified teachers? The starting pay for a certified teacher in Vermilion Parish is $44,300, compared to $50,000 in Lafayette Parish.

“To me, the bigger issue is not necessarily the starting teacher pay but the minimal increase in pay over each year of service,”  Byler said.  “Unfortunately, the funds are limited, and so we have to operate within our means. In what professional jobs would someone invest 10 years only to see a salary increase of $4,000? However, higher salaries always assist in the recruiting process.”