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Messiah addresses PA teacher shortage with creative initiatives
With a decline in students majoring in education coupled with teachers leaving the field at an all-time high in Pennsylvania, Messiah University is partnering with local school districts to launch two new initiatives.
About Educators for Tomorrow
High school juniors and seniors in the Educators for Tomorrow program participate in a one-year cohort with three components, starting each fall:
Earning dual enrollment credit in education-specific courses—Students can earn high school and college credit by taking two college-level education courses via dual enrollment from Messiah (in-person and online class options).
Attending education and teaching events at Messiah’s campus—Students receive invitations to events sponsored by the Education Association of Messiah University; the Teacher Education Program; and other guest speakers and/or education-focused honors projects.
Participating in experienced-based learning led by the school district where the student is enrolled—In most cases, students will serve as a teacher’s assistant with activities including observing/assisting teachers and then reflecting upon their experience.
“We’re encouraged by the early interest of local educators and students in this new program, and we’re pleased to build on Messiah’s reputation of graduating education majors who become committed teachers,” said Rob Pepper, executive director and assistant to the president for innovation and university partnerships.
About Messiah's teacher certification initiative
For years, Messiah’s Graduate Program in Education has offered teacher certification programs to help those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education to earn initial Level I teaching certification in Pennsylvania.
In response to the teacher shortage, Messiah is partnering directly with local school districts to provide a streamlined initial Level I certification track for those already teaching in their schools on a temporary emergency/intern teaching certificate. Districts can coordinate cohorts of emergency-certified teachers from their schools to complete their initial certification track in 18–24 months online through Messiah. Teachers continue working in the classroom while pursuing certification needed to teach long term.
“Messiah University has an established relationship with our local school districts. They have successfully hired our graduates, and many of their teachers have already completed graduate work at Messiah so they know and trust the strength of our teacher education programs,” said Christina Simmons, director of the Graduate Program in Education. “We’re privileged to help prepare these ‘career change’ educators to serve their school district and their students effectively.”
–Staff report
