CARY, N.C. (WTVD) – In a few days, students will be returning to school and teachers are busy preparing classrooms. The school district said classrooms are almost 100% full.

“Hopefully in a few weeks there will be a lot more artwork on the wall, more pictures so the students can see themselves represented here,” said Emily Brugler, a first-year preschool teacher at South Lakes Elementary. “I’m so excited. I’m so ready, but also so nervous.”

Brugler tries to ensure that her class and her 18 young children have the basic skills they need, which can be intimidating.

“When I was a student teacher, I only had 12 students, but now that we are a team, I have a wonderful assistant who will help us,” she said.

A team made possible by the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), which has worked hard to fill vacancies across the district.

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“In Wake County schools, we are currently at about 98% classroom capacity,” said Kristi Dye-Rhone.

She attributes this to the two companies’ efforts in recruiting and programs like Future Teachers, which have also helped Brugler.

“Students who come into the classroom in a traditional way work with our staff and students to experience firsthand what it’s like to become a teacher, and when they’re in the classroom, they’re prepared,” Dye-Rhone said.

“It’s exciting to be able to design your own room. You can put little touches on it and make it the way you see fit, and you know it’s not going to look the same in a few weeks with 18 kids running around. So you have to be adaptable at all times,” Brugler said.

Currently, most openings are in the K-5 and Special Education departments. If you would like to apply, click here.