HARRISBURG, PA — A new dawn approaches for teacher education in Pennsylvania as Governor Josh Shapiro, flanked by a bipartisan group of legislative leaders and members of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) on Wednesday, announced the opening of the online application period for the PA Student Teacher Support Program. Beginning tomorrow at 9 AM EDT, prospective student teachers for the 2024-25 academic year can apply for a share of an increased funding pot to help them pursue their career ambitions.
In 2023, Governor Shapiro inked Act 33 into law, breathing life into the $10 million Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program. This new law promises up to $15,000 for each qualifying student teacher in the state. Managed by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), the initiative is set to confront the teacher deficit in Pennsylvania and fill critical educational positions. This decisive action enhances each student’s freedom to chart their own course and ensures every citizen has a fair shot at success.
Governor Shapiro expressed his belief in the importance of the program, “This investment is common sense and it has strong bipartisan support. We want more Pennsylvanians to become teachers – which led to the inclusion of $10 million for student teacher stipends in last year’s budget and the boosting of my budget this year to $15 million for the Student Teacher Support Program. Let’s unite to increase our support for our new teachers and demonstrate that their state government is truly working for them.”
Schools across America are grappling with rising teacher shortages. A decade ago, Pennsylvania certified roughly 20,000 new teachers annually. In 2023, this number had dwindled to a little over 5,000. Currently, the Commonwealth has 5,500 vacant teaching positions in schools across the state. By aiding students to tackle the financial strain associated with student teaching requirements, the novel student-teacher stipend program is set to stem the tide of Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage.
To qualify for the stipend, students must commit to working as teachers in Pennsylvania for a minimum of three years after completing their education and must be enrolled in a state-approved PDE Educator Preparation Program.
Aaron Chapin, President of the PSEA, praised the unwavering support of the initiative’s backers, stating, “Thank you for all the hard work that you put into the student-teacher stipend program. I am proud to represent about 177,000 members, which include more than 7,000 student PSEA members. We’re fortunate to have one of the largest and most active aspiring educator programs in the nation right here in Pennsylvania.”
Amber Bloom, Vice-President of the Student PSEA, also acknowledged the significance of this initiative saying, “There are a lot of challenges to student teaching, but that unique classroom experience is so necessary for aspiring educators. Paying student teachers a modest stipend is a win-win. It is a win for the young people who want to pursue careers in the classroom, and it is a win for Pennsylvania because it removes a significant financial burden to becoming a teacher at a time when so many school districts are grappling with teacher shortages.”
For decades, aspiring teachers in Pennsylvania have been required to gain student teaching experience in classrooms before graduating from their programs and becoming full-time educators. However, the lack of pay for these months of hands-on classroom experience often places financial burdens on student teachers. With the introduction of the PA Student Teacher Support Program, a new era is ushered in where aspiring educators receive the necessary support to navigate their journey into public service with less financial strain and greater confidence.
Increased funding for the program is set to strengthen Pennsylvania’s educator pipeline further and ensure more teachers fill our classrooms. The Governor’s 2024-2025 budget proposal raises funding for the program by $5 million, reaching a total of $15 million to support Pennsylvanians training to become certified and committed educators in the Commonwealth. Whoever meets the program requirements can receive up to $10,000, with an additional $5,000 available to student teachers working in high-need areas.
For more information regarding the PA Student Teacher Support Program and eligibility, aspiring educators are advised to visit pheaa.org/StudentTeacher.
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