How to Fill Teacher Vacancies With Live, Certified Virtual Teachers

When a teaching position stays open, students end up with a series of substitutes, larger classes or a course that isn’t offered at all. Live, certified virtual teachers give districts another way to fill hard-to-staff positions.

Which positions are hardest to fill?

For 2026–27, 38 of the 50 states plus D.C. list science and 35 list math as teacher shortage areas with the U.S. Department of Education, along with special education, world languages and career and technical education. See how this plays out in your state.

How virtual teachers fill vacancies

A certified teacher teaches the class live on your schedule, with students in their classroom and the teacher on screen. The teacher follows your curriculum and grading, and stays with the class all year, so students get consistent instruction instead of rotating substitutes.

What a good program looks like

• Teachers certified in your state and subject
• Live instruction on your bell schedule
• Your curriculum and grading
• The same teacher all year
• Progress and attendance your school can see

Questions to ask any provider

A good provider should start by asking about your district: your students, your schedule, your staffing and what has or hasn’t worked before. Then ask:

1. Are your teachers certified in our state for this subject?
2. How quickly can a teacher start?
3. Will the teacher follow our curriculum and schedule?
4. Can we add or drop classes during the year?
5. Do you also provide substitute coverage?

LIVE Staffing from Fullmind

Fullmind’s LIVE Staffing fills hard-to-staff roles with certified educators who teach live, synchronously, on your schedule and curriculum. Fullmind can place a certified teacher within days, and recently placed one two days after the request. Fullmind also provides substitute teachers at hourly rates, and you can see the live courses we staff most often.

Every district has a dedicated account manager and access to Fullmind’s success managers. Fullmind doesn’t lock districts into rigid contracts, and districts don’t have to use everything they sign up for, so support can grow or shrink as needs change.

Results

• Colleton County, SC: 44.7% of Fullmind students earned a C or above, compared with 25.1% of peers
• Dayton Public Schools, OH: 46% greater Algebra I gains*
• Paton-Churdan, IA: science proficiency rose from 18% to 64% in one year*
• Lancaster ISD, TX: 86% of first-time Biology testers were proficient*

*Elevate K-12, now part of Fullmind

See more district results on our case studies page.

How to fund virtual teachers for open positions

Virtual teachers who fill open positions are usually funded from the salary budget for the vacant position, sometimes supplemented by Title I, Part A or Title II, Part A funds where allowable. Check eligibility and allowable uses with your federal programs coordinator. For more on Title I, see our Title I funding guide.

How to get started with Fullmind

1. Tell us about your district. An education consultant learns about your students, schedule, staffing and goals.
2. Get a plan built around your needs. We recommend the right service, or combination of services, and the right format.
3. Meet your educators. We match certified teachers or licensed specialists to your students and your state’s requirements.
4. Start learning and track progress. Instruction begins on your schedule, and your team sees attendance and progress as it happens.

Related guides

• Virtual CTE courses
• Instruction for English language learners
• Virtual enrichment programs
• Professional development for teachers

Talk with Fullmind

Tell us which positions are open and when you need them filled, and we’ll show you how quickly a certified teacher can start. Build your plan, book a time, or learn more about filling teacher vacancies.

Frequently asked questions

Can a virtual teacher fill a classroom vacancy?

Yes. A certified virtual teacher can teach a full class live on your schedule, following your curriculum, for a semester or the whole year.

Is a virtual teacher better than a long-term substitute?

A long-term substitute may not be certified in the subject. A certified virtual teacher brings subject expertise and stays with the class all year.

How fast can a virtual teacher start?

With Fullmind, often within days. Larger programs usually launch in under two weeks.