By Amy Cockerham
Public Ed Works

CHARLOTTE (April9, 2026) – UNC Charlotte leaders are trying to solve the teacher shortage by removing financial barriers for aspiring educators.

Statewide, the NC Educator Preparation Program dashboard shows enrollment is down 3% in just the past five years. But UNC Charlotte’s enrollment is down 28% in the past five years, Appalachian State University’s is down 22% and NC State University’s is down 25%.

The state’s school districts, meanwhile, have increasingly hired teachers who take nontraditional paths to the classroom.

Dr. Malcolm B. Butler is the Dean of the Cato College of Education at UNC Charlotte who is working to change the downward trend.

“It’s very important for us, as we advocate for all those things that are important for teachers – more pay, great environment for teachers, great instructional leaders, a community that sees the value of education – that we also make sure we portray it in our college as well,” Butler said.

“One of the key things…is try to identify ways so that we can defray the cost of a college education, because we know that many of our students graduate with significant debt.”

With the latest average teacher salary in North Carolina near the bottom in the nation, it’s more important than ever that students graduate with little to no debt.

Dr. Ann Jolly is the Assistant Dean of School and Community Partnerships.

“One of the things that we try to think about is really, ‘What are some of the barriers that teachers might experience even before getting their license?’” Jolly said. “Right now, the law requires a 16-week unpaid internship.”

UNC Charlotte offers programs that range from helping students find federal work-study funds for student teaching to forgivable loans.

Students admitted to the UNC Charlotte Teacher Quality Partnership program receive a stipend to cover the cost of tuition, supplies, and additional expenses if they commit to teaching at a high-need school in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for a minimum of three years.

Jolly said prospective teachers have the opportunity to explore substitute positions too.

“A student who has had a successful experience in a school can be offered a job as a long-term substitute, still meet their licensure requirements, but be getting paid,” Jolly said.

“I think one of the things we’re really focused on is supporting teachers, to have a meaningful experience and also be compensated for the work that they’re doing.”

As of Fall 2025, UNC Charlotte reports they had 8,333 alumni working in NC public or charter schools.

“You get the chance to touch lives every day when you walk in a classroom,” Butler said. “For students, when they hear it that way, and then when families hear that, that tends to strike the right note, and we think we’re on to something.”