ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)- As of September 9, Albuquerque Public Schools had more than 200 teacher vacancies. The vacancies inside APS mirror much of what the rest of the state is seeing. "What I can tell you is that we have not been sitting on our hands so to speak, waiting for teachers to apply to positions that may be vacant," said Dr. Antonio González, Deputy Superintendent of Leadership and Learning."But we've been working proactively to grow our own in relationship to building teacher cadet classrooms." Story continues below Investigation: Suspect terrorizing Nob Hill businesses off the streets, but for how long? Community: Does New Mexico have crows or ravens? Trending: Investigation underway after evidence of 10 to 20 human skulls found at southeastern New Mexico property News: New SNAP work requirements being implemented in New Mexico New Mexico State University's recent educator vacancy report highlighted a 38% increase in vacancies among special education teachers and a 24% increase in vacancies among elementary school teachers. Special education and elementary are the two areas where APS has the most vacancies now. In an effort to combat this trend, the district mentioned its teacher-cadet programs targeting high school students who are interested in teaching which includes real-world experience like reading to elementary students or tutoring middle schoolers. The district said they have an easier time keeping teachers for a career if teachers make it past the first five years. The district is also pushing to expand teacher residency programs at New Mexico's community colleges and universities and promoting existing tuition reimbursement programs that educational assistants can qualify for. Statewide, NMSU's teacher vacancy report found the biggest decrease in vacancies at the middle school level, but the biggest increase was for elementary teachers. Math and science were the subjects where teachers were most needed.