Lee Hale:

United States, schools are scrambling to find qualified special education teachers. There just aren’t enough of them to fill every open position.

That means schools must often settle for people who are under-certified and inexperienced. Special ed is tough, and those who aren’t ready for the challenge may not make it past the first year or two.

Really good teacher preparation might be the difference. At least, that’s what the Lee Pesky Learning Center believes.

In partnership with Boise State University, this nonprofit is working to overcome the shortage in Idaho, not just by filling vacancies, but by creating special education teachers fully prepared for the demands — and the rewards — of working with special-needs students.

Related: National Council on Teacher Quality.