LYCOMING COUNTY, Pa. — The number of teachers receiving their certification in Pennsylvania has dropped significantly over the past ten years. To combat the issue, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced a new student teacher stipend.
Abbey Gerasimoff is a junior chemistry major getting her secondary education certification at Lycoming College in Williamsport. Gerasimoff plans to start student teaching next spring. She's excited to hear about a new state program that gives students the opportunity to be paid while they're student teaching.
"Give them a little extra help, like if they need to get their materials or stuff like that. We do put a lot of time and money into student teaching, and I think it's a really good program to incentivize people, but also, the student teachers deserve it. We put in a lot of work," Gerasimoff said.
Gov. Shapiro announced that applications are now open for the new PA Student Teacher Support Program. The program will provide $10,000 to eligible student teachers. Those working in high-need areas can get a stipend of up to $15,000.
"Any way we can incentivize and have more students that are interested and just show that it's our love, it's our passion, and we want to share that with others," said Amy Rogers, director of teacher education at Lycoming College.
Ten years ago, Pennsylvania certified approximately 20,000 new teachers every year. Now, the Commonwealth certifies between 5,000 and 6,000 a year. The number of teacher certifications at Lycoming College remains steady.
"I think a lot of it has to do with our program and that win-win situation of coming out with an undergraduate, with a bachelor degree, and then having the teacher certification to go with it," Rogers said.
On average, 30 to 35 students each year get their teaching certifications at Lycoming College.
"There's been a 60 percent decrease, I think, in the state, as far as teacher certifications being awarded. We're lucky, but I think a lot of it is because they have that degree they're pursuing on top of the education credentials," said Rachel Hickoff-Cresko, chair of the Education Department at Lycoming College.
Hickoff-Cresko hopes the pa student teacher support program expands and allows more student teachers to receive a stipend.
"Teaching is a great field, but when you think about salary and cost of living, sometimes students go other ways because it makes more sense to them financially, so I think any barriers that we can remove to become a teacher definitely are wonderful things to be looking at and expanding," Hickoff-Cresko said.
You can apply through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's website.