A Connecticut nonprofit is calling for more new educators to join the workforce, just in time for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Ninth-grade science teacher Lauren Danner says during Teacher Appreciation Week, it's the little things that matter.

"Reaching out via an email, a thank you note, that to me makes all the difference in the world, and especially when it's coming from your students," says Danner.

Danner is also a career coach for the nonprofit Teach Connecticut.

"They're actually an extension of Teach.org, which is a great organization that's looking to recruit prospective teachers into our field," she says.

A media campaign launched this week thanking teachers for protecting the future. Danner says the pandemic has made an existing teacher shortage worse.

"We've also seen teachers taking early retirement. A lot of teachers were on leave because of health and safety concerns," Danner says.

Teach Connecticut says right now, the U.S. has a shortfall of about 100,000 new teachers - about 33% fewer teachers than needed.

Danner says the biggest needs are in STEM fields, special education and bilingual education.

"I believe at the beginning of the school year there were over 1,000 postings for positions in the state of Connecticut," she says.

Danner recommends the careers to anyone who loves working with children.

"For me that's my reason why. There's nothing better than seeing my kids interacting in a classroom, building those positive relationships," Danner says.

To learn more about becoming a teacher click here.