School is set to start in a month on Bois Blanc Island in Michigan, but a critical piece is missing: a teacher. The tiny, 4-student school house is facing an uncertain future as the island community grapples with a statewide teacher shortage that’s magnified by its remote location. Just 34 square miles in size, the island is home to a mere 100 residents and Michigan’s smallest school district. Its isolation, compounded by harsh winters and accessibility only by plane, makes recruiting educators a formidable challenge. Unlike its more populous neighbor, Mackinac Island, Bois Blanc’s ferry shuttle is suspended for much of the year, further isolating the community. Enrollment at the K-8 school has fluctuated dramatically, dropping as low as 2 students in 2019. Now for the catches: The candidate would need to enroll in a teacher preparation program to remain at the school beyond a 1-year term. The teacher will also wear many hats, serving as educator, counselor, principal and even purchasing agent. Daily flights to the mainland are be impractical due to the high cost, with charters costing over $200 per trip with a minimum of 3 passengers, so commuting is out of the question. If the district can't find a suitable teacher, they may have to resort to a remote instructor with a classroom aide on-site, a less-than-ideal solution.
