Educating the next generation of leaders is essential to securing a bright future for each and every individual in our society, but we stand at a crisis.

The state is down in teacher certifications by almost 70% since 2012-13. Meanwhile, emergency certifications, those issued in great need, are up by nearly 25%.

This cannot be sustained.

To address the problem facing all of our schools, Slippery Rock University plans to roll out a new program in the fall of 2025 — a teacher’s apprenticeship program.

Through the program, anyone attached to an education entity — be it a bus driver or lunch lady — with a bachelor’s degree can enroll in a two-year program to be certified to teach.

We are all for novel solutions to address societal problems, and this is one. Why shouldn’t a teacher’s aide with a degree in English be able to take a few years of classes and pass on their knowledge?

What’s more, SRU intends to forgive a sizable portion of their tuition, $15,000, for doing so.

These are not random people off the street. The program is open only to those who already work in an educational setting. They have already passed the necessary clearances to be around children.

We applaud SRU for finding a novel solution to a very real problem. We hope it is taken advantage of and the young people who are our very real future benefit.

— JP