(Richmond)- The State Board of Education has approved a new way for 22 school districts to hire teachers, and some school officials say it could be a game-changer in combating a teacher shortage. The board approved a new alternative pathway to licensure called iTeach. It would allow teachers to get into the classroom on a provisional license and work toward their full license in an online pathway costing around $3,000. Among the 22 that applied were Westmoreland, Arlington and Fairfax. State officials say Virginia currently has around 3,500 teacher openings affecting school districts of every size.
