From Pennsylvania Department of Education
Photo courtesy of Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced on Thursday, Jan. 23, that the first-ever cohort of 142 students at 14 institutions of higher education have completed the Accelerated Special Educator Certification program to become special educators in the Commonwealth.
“Like many other states across the nation, Pennsylvania has been facing an educator workforce shortage — with a particularly critical need to fill thousands of special educator vacancies,” said Interim Acting Secretary Angela Fitterer. “Special educators play an essential role in the lives of their students and families, and this cohort of new teachers will make a lasting impact in classrooms across the Commonwealth for years to come.”
Over the past two years, Governor Josh Shapiro has been laser-focused on finding ways to get more high-quality teachers into classrooms, and the Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification program provided $1.5 million in grant funding to institutions of higher education (IHE) to expedite the process to become a special education teacher.
Grants were made available to colleges and universities with approved PK-12 special education certification programs to partner with at least one school district, approved private school, career and technical center, charter school, cyber charter school, or intermediate unit to provide bachelor’s degree holders with summer field experiences, mentoring by experienced special educators during the school year, and deliver a postbaccalaureate program for PK-12 special education teacher certification within 18 months. Programs offered most of the coursework during summer 2023 and summer 2024; provided a combination of in-person and virtual options for flexibility and support to the accelerated program participants working full-time; and ensured a minimum of 12 weeks of student teaching.
Here’s how the $1.5 million in grant funding is helping Pennsylvania’s schools and future educators:
- “I really loved the experience, and I’m kind of sad it’s over. I almost didn’t take advantage of it, but I’m so glad that I did and so blessed for the opportunity. We had great, knowledgeable professors and very engaging courses. I learned so much, and I’m so grateful,” said Nisa Jabbar-Bey, student, Lincoln University.
- “Through the Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification Grant, Holy Family University created an innovative support system for aspiring special education teachers. The program combined accelerated eight-week terms, flexible asynchronous online coursework, and hands-on field experiences in partner schools with comprehensive grant-funded support. This support included personalized mentorship, weekly academic guidance, and focused professional development in lesson planning and educational writing. The integrated approach not only fast-tracked certification but equipped candidates with the essential tools and sustained support to thrive in their educational careers,” said Roseanna Wright, grant coordinator, Holy Family University.
- “I never thought I would teach special education after being in the regular education classroom for 22 years. Three years ago, I made the switch, and there’s no turning back. I love teaching my middle school Life Skills students! Penn State Harrisburg’s Special Education Department helped make this possible. The program was organized, and the staff were extremely helpful,” said Angela Doland, student, Penn State Harrisburg.
- “My experience in the Accelerated Program for Teaching Certification in Special Education has been both enriching and successful. The professors were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive and kind, creating a learning environment that inspired me to grow. I particularly loved the ‘Teaching Reading to Students with Disabilities’ course, which taught me innovative and engaging strategies to help my students develop their reading skills. The assignments were challenging yet meaningful, and I often revisit my notes to reinforce what I’ve learned. Courses like Assistive Technology and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) were especially impactful, as they provided practical skills I now use in my classroom. These classes also helped me build lasting relationships with instructors who continue to offer guidance. None of this would have been possible without the exceptional support of my advisor, Dr. Scala, and her team. Dr. Scala went above and beyond, ensuring I had the right courses at the right time, and her unwavering dedication — day and night, through every season — played a pivotal role in my success,” said Niloofar P. Aflatooni, student, East Stroudsburg University.
- “The Accelerated Special Educator Certification Program gave me an opportunity to expand my understanding of education and explore what it truly means to be an educator that celebrates inclusivity and diversity in the classroom. My courses at Gannon University allowed me to learn from knowledgeable and dedicated professionals while also participating in meaningful learning opportunities to reignite my passion for teaching. This program opened new doors for myself professionally, while also providing me research-based tools and resources to immediately impact my current students’ growth and education. I always wanted an opportunity to pursue a special education certification, without this program, it wouldn’t have been possible!” said Nicolina Barbero, student, Gannon University.
- “This grant has alleviated the financial burden of tuition for me and my family, allowing me to fully focus on my field placement but also my academic success as well. This grant also provided a safe space to collaborate with other educators, where we can share honest experiences from our classrooms and explore challenges and solutions. These opportunities have effectively prepared me to become a better educator, equipped to meet the diverse needs of my students. I hope that future educators can also benefit from this invaluable support and continue making a positive impact,” said Skyy S., student, University of Pittsburgh.
- “The Accelerated Special Education Teacher Certification Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education has significantly enhanced our one-year program. By providing tuition support, textbooks, and materials, along with improved instructional practices that gave student practical insight on how to connect theory and practice, we have better prepared our students for the field. This initiative has not only benefited our students but also strengthened the quality of special education in Pennsylvania, ensuring that our future educators are well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students,” said Phillandra Smith, Ph.D., faculty, University of Pittsburgh.
The program builds on the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to recruit and retain teachers in Pennsylvania, as it works collaboratively with leaders in the education field to ensure there is a robust pipeline of educators in place to provide a high-quality education to learners of all ages across the Commonwealth. Other efforts include: reducing teacher certification processing times by more than 10 weeks, making intern certificates free to aspiring educators, creating a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in Education for high school students, and creating and expanding the Student Teacher Support Program to provide a stipend to student teachers.
As of the 2023-2024 school year, Pennsylvania’s teacher workforce stands at 123,190, with the largest shortages in Grades 4-8, Special Education PK-12, Mathematics 7-12, Life and Physical Sciences 7-12, and Career and Technical Education 7-12. The United States Department of Education has designated these areas as critical shortages, and currently, Pennsylvania needs 1,670 special educators.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the Department’s website or follow PDE on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Pinterest.
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Source: bctv