Jennifer Stanchak is an education specialist at Bird Rock Elementary School. She helps students with mild to moderate disabilities who are in regular classrooms but need extra support with reading, writing, or behavior.
Last year, Jennifer had 35 students, which is 15 more than the recommended limit set by the district and the teachers’ union. “We can’t support our students effectively when we are overloaded,” she explains. “It means less individual help and fewer chances to communicate with families.”
Recently, Jennifer and other special education staff held a rally to urge the San Diego Unified School District for better staffing. She pointed out that when special education teachers have too many students, it impacts everyone in the classroom.
“When we are overloaded, your student is affected,” she continued, emphasizing the ripple effect on general education teachers as well.
According to Kyle Weinberg, the president of the San Diego Education Association, 93 out of 172 schools in the district have teachers over their caseload limits. “That means most schools are struggling, and students aren’t receiving the help they need,” he said.
The teachers’ union can file complaints when these limits are exceeded and is currently negotiating a settlement from last year’s grievances. Weinberg noted that teachers are not just asking for fair settlements; they want long-lasting solutions to staffing issues.
“The district has to improve its efforts to recruit and keep special education teachers,” he said. “The problem has persisted for years, and current strategies aren’t enough.”
Interim Deputy Superintendent Nicole DeWitt mentioned that the lack of special education teachers isn’t just a local issue; it’s a nationwide crisis. “This is happening across the country, not just in San Diego,” she stated.
In response, the district is trying to recruit and train new special education teachers through a paid residency program in collaboration with the University of San Diego. The first group of residents started this school year. Additionally, the district offers an internship program with local universities to support new teachers.
The San Diego Education Association has also proposed changes for upcoming contract negotiations, focusing on reducing class sizes and increasing prep time for teachers, alongside addressing special education vacancies.
