LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As students embark on the new school year, social studies teacher Katlyn Spurlock has started to write her legacy as an educator at Louisville's Atherton High School. 

“I feel like only, in four days, there have been so many adjustments I've made or so many differences in what I thought things were going to be like and what I think now," Spurlock said. "So I'm excited to see that growth over a year." 

The 2023 University of Kentucky graduate said she's looking forward to her first full year of teaching. 

“I definitely have a lot of help from my department and the people around me; I've gotten a lot of material, so I know what I'm doing when I go into the room," she said. "I feel extremely prepared thanks to all the help I've gotten.”

Jefferson County Public Schools said it expects to have about 300 open positions in the middle of the year based on previous school years. 

First-year teacher Nakeisha Greene lives in Lexington but commutes to Iroquois High School in Louisville. 

“I think that it is a great district to work it, and once you get to know the students, they're amazing,” Greene said. 

About one-third of Iroquois High School students are English learners. The social studies teacher said language barriers can be challenging, but she is using techniques to communicate and help students learn, such as translating documents in the students’ native language.

“At the end of the day, I can say that I was there, and I gave 110% and tried to show them that I will always be there for them," Greene said. 

JCPS said about 95% of its teachers return to the district each year.

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, about 11% of Kentucky teachers did not return to the teaching in the state last year. Positions are still being filled.