It’s fall debate season in Idaho.

On Monday, state superintendent’s candidates Debbie Critchfield and Terry Gilbert will square off (Idaho Public Television, 8 p.m. MDT and 7 p.m. PDT).

But several candidates — including Gov. Brad Little — have refused to debate this fall.

This week, Kevin Richert talks to Melissa Davlin of Idaho Public Television about debates — and how they reveal the policies and the personalities of the candidates who participate.

In this episode of “The Teachers’ Lounge,” Carly Flandro talks with Lynn Gangone, the president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, about the history and national scope of declining interest in the field of teaching, as well as solutions to the shortage.

“We need to be both realistic and optimistic,” she said.