Despite teacher shortage, ‘the joy of knowing my students’ motivates this Nashville educator

Lauren Binkley has decorated her classroom at Eagle View Elementary School in Antioch with bright pops of primary colors. She’s stocked her library with picture books featuring characters of different races and cultures. There’s a cushy spot to calm down if a student is feeling overwhelmed.

This is where her third through fifth graders will learn this year. Binkley is part of Metro Nashville Public Schools’ program for English language learners who’ve had serious disruptions to their schooling.

Alexis Marshall WPLN News

Lauren Binkley has stocked her classroom library with books featuring kids from many backgrounds, races and cultures. She says it’s important that her students see themselves represented in the books they read.

“So for a lot of our kiddos, the most important priorities the first few days of school are to be known, to be safe, to develop friendships,” Binkley says. “The first few days are really important to just setting the year off right with those kind of community building activities.”

But it’s possible that not all EL classrooms will be fully staffed in time for the school year. As of Sunday 8% of positions for EL teachers in Metro Schools were still open or in the process of hiring. That’s compared with about 4% of full-time teaching positions overall.

A spokesperson for MNPS says hiring will continue until the start of the school year, and beyond if needed. He says principals may also adjust schedules and duties, “assigning administrators or substitute teachers to ensure all students are receiving appropriate instruction, supervision, and support as we start on Aug. 8.”

Despite the district’s challenges staffing up, Binkley feels excited for class to start. Even in her 15th year of teaching, she still can’t sleep the night before the first day of school.

“I love their personalities; I love what they bring to the classroom,” Binkley says. “They have such deep funds of knowledge, such deep assets and experiences that they bring to our classroom, and no year is ever the same. So I really look forward to the joy of knowing my students.”

The district is still racing to fill positions, allowing more educators to share Binkley’s special experience.