Local lawmakers coming up with unique proposal to end teacher shortage

PENNSYLVANIA — The talk of this school year is the lack of bus drivers, but inside the school building it’s a similar story.

“Trying to fill the holes in the schools has been challenging. Trying to find those resources and those individuals has been even more challenging,” said Dr. Mark Holtzman who’s the Superintendent at McKeesport School District.

Holtzman is talking about the lack of qualified teachers both permanent and substitute. He said it puts a strain on being able to provide a good education to the students.

“We are doing our very best just to find a candidate or two that hopefully can fit in for us,” Holtzman said.

Lawmakers in Harrisburg are stepping in the help.

“I hope we can put up a help wanted sign for teachers to come in from all the states around us,” said Senator Camera Bartolotta.

Senate Bill 224 just passed the Senate and will allow out of state teacher candidates who have completed student teaching to get a certification in Pennsylvania.

“We would love for them to come into Pennsylvania and not have to go into the additional expense and jump through the hoops to get recertified and taking all the tests they need to take in Pennsylvania,” Bartolotta said.

Bartolotta told Channel 11 it will greatly speed up the process to get teachers in the classrooms. A factor that not only impacts students, but their parents as well.

“It was very stressful, so we want to open the doors and let good teachers come to Pennsylvania and step into the classroom and educate our kids and be excited about it and be here. We want to remove those barriers that keep them from doing it,” Bartolotta said.

Bartolotta said the bill will now head to the house.

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