SRU program aims to help solve teacher shortage
Slippery Rock University wants to tackle Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage with a new program creating opportunities for potential teachers.
Previous reporting has highlighted how schools in the area don’t have enough teachers. SRU cited official state numbers saying the number of teacher certifications issued in Pennsylvania is down 67% since 2012-13, while the state is issuing nearly four times as many emergency permits as it did in 2010-11.
The college of education sees its new teacher apprenticeship program as an answer to lifting up more potential teachers into the field.
“There’s a teacher shortage in Pennsylvania. But there are folks that, maybe they went to college years back and they didn't major in education, maybe they wanted to but couldn’t pursue it for whatever reason, but they have a calling. Folks that are paraprofessionals, or serve in other positions, and they want to teach our students,” said Keith Dils, dean of SRU’s college of education.
The university announced it is launching the apprenticeship program in the fall.
It is a two-year program, SRU plans to work with several different area schools districts to give individuals the opportunity to achieve a full teacher certification and a master’s degree. It is tailored toward those who have a bachelor's degree and who already work in an educational setting, such as paraprofessionals, substitutes or other school employees.
SRU called its new teacher apprenticeship program “first of a kind.”
Justin Zackal, SRU’s associate director of communications, said the program was made possible through a $600,000 grant from the state. The program will provide $15,000 toward participants’ tuition for the certification and master’s degree.
School districts participating in the program include Slippery Rock Area School District, Grove City Area School District, Franklin Regional School District in Westmoreland County and Hampton Township School District in Allegheny County.
The program is specifically looking to provide a fast track to fill positions in science for grades seven through 12, mathematics for grades seven through 12 and special education for kindergarten to grade 12.
“These folks want to transition into teacher positions and the local districts would hire them. These are people that currently could be paraprofessionals, a bus driver, anyone working at a district with a bachelor’s degree could enroll at this program,” Dils said.
Dils said while enrollment at the education college is at a 10-year high, the teacher shortage is still something it has paid a great amount of attention to. This, he said, is a reason to continue to try to expand relationships with school districts throughout Butler County and Western Pennsylvania.
Fifteen candidates will be chosen to start the program in August.
Dils said the education college has already received interest from various individuals.
Dils pointed specifically to a man who reached out who recently left the military, asked if his GI benefits could cover the remaining program costs and was considering special education to show the program can be useful for people of different backgrounds and employment histories.
“Wouldn’t that be a great success story,” Dils said. “This is a pathway for people. Certified in two years, maybe they’ll be a teacher for years to come.”
Michael Panza, an SRU instructor of curriculum and educational leadership and president of the Moniteau school board, will lead the new program.
Dils said the program is having several informational meetings starting around the end of July.
