Teachers are taking more sick days, causing a shortage of substitutes in schools across the US. In New York City, nearly 1 in 5 public schoolteachers were absent for 11 or more days during the 2022-23 school year. This trend is also seen in Michigan, where about 15% of teachers were absent in any given week last school year. The shortage of substitutes has worsened since the pandemic, impacting low-income areas the most. The pandemic has also led to more focus on mental health and increased demands on teachers, contributing to their exhaustion. The shortage of substitutes has led to challenges in filling in for absent teachers, impacting student learning. Some districts are trying to address the issue by raising substitute pay and assigning permanent substitutes to school buildings.