New data reveals how one local public school system is relying on teachers without a professional certificate.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for St. Lucie Public Schools said a majority of their 85 \u201clong-term substitutes\u201d are people working with a temporary certificate while they work to earn their professional certificate. <\/p>\n
The spokesperson said they still post these jobs as open positions, which we learned after asking questions about a report from the Florida Education Association (FEA) claiming vacancies jumped 753% from August 2025 to January 2026. <\/p>\n
“Some of these jobs we talk about, what I call, ghost jobs,\u201d said David Freeland, president of the Education Association of St. Lucie. \u201cIt\u2019s posted, but there is somebody in the classroom who\u2019s nearly completed their certification requirements. So the hope is when they complete their requirements they will stay in that classroom. So that job is semi-open.\u201d<\/p>\n
Freeland, along with a spokesperson for the district, said they continue to post these jobs to gain applicants for teaching positions, particularly if somebody doesn\u2019t complete the certification requirements for a variety of reasons. <\/p>\n
According to the Florida Department of Education\u2019s website, the difference between the two certificates is that people with a professional certificate must demonstrate \u201cMastery of General Knowledge\u201d and \u201cMastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence\u201d through various tasks. The temporary certificate is only valid for five years and isn\u2019t renewable. <\/p>\n
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Freeland argues the need for these type of teachers with temporary certificates is tied to various issues around the profession like pay, policies from state government and respect around the profession. He said these types of teachers are less prepared than other staff members.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s in many ways like any other job,\u201d Freeland said. \u201cKnowing the job fully makes you better able to address uncommon situations in the classroom to meet the learning needs of multiple modalities of learning\u2026 to be fully versed in that makes you a better teacher to meet every student’s need in the classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lydia Martin, chief communications officer for the school district, said schools continue to operate normally because campuses are fully staffed with qualified adults. She said instructional continuity is maintained through long\u2011term substitutes and certified staff while school leaders adjust schedules strategically to protect core instruction.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudents remain supervised, supported, and engaged in learning every day,\u201d she wrote in a statement. \u201cMany of these vacancies are temporary and are expected to be resolved before the next school year. As teachers return from leave, certification requirements are completed, and summer hiring begins; vacancy numbers traditionally decline. We anticipate that pattern will continue as we prepare for the upcoming school year.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to data from the FEA, vacancies jumped from 23 in August 2024 to 105 in January 2025. The union\u2019s data shows vacancies at the district then dropped to 15 in August 2025. <\/p>\n