CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) - Friday morning the University of Northern Iowa held ceremonies celebrating its education and nursing students.

This year UNI has 600 students entering the school’s teacher education program.

According to the Iowa Department of education, Iowa has 661 total vacant teaching positions across the state, which is a 1.7% vacancy rate.

UNI’s teacher education associate dean said the new students will make a big difference for local school districts with teacher shortages.

“For any school district that’s missing even one teacher, that’s a shortage for them. Even if there’s pockets of places that are going well, we wanna make sure that pipeline is as healthy as can be,” said Benjamin Forsyth, UNI teacher education associate dean.

UNI also celebrated 62 students enter

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