Johnstown, PA (August 2, 2016) –Effective September 11, 2016, student teachers in Pennsylvania can be used as substitute teachers, according to a new law aimed at easing the substitute teacher shortage in Pennsylvania. A bill approved by both the house and senate was part of the revenue package signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf in mid-July. The provision allows education students who are training to be teachers and have earned 60 semester hours from an accredited Pennsylvania college or university to serve as substitute teachers for limited time periods.
“Pennsylvania school districts are finding a shortage of certified individuals to employ as day-to-day substitutes in all classrooms,” explained Jona Duppstadt, director of educational programs at Ignite Education Solutions, a division of The Learning Lamp exclusively devoted to serving schools. “The number of in-state residents seeking teacher certifications has dropped 62 percent over the past four years.”
In 2015, roughly 6,000 people sought teacher certification in Pennsylvania, down from 16,000 three years earlier. Ignite Education Solutions, a leading provider of educational services for K-12 school districts across Cambria, Somerset, Bedford and Blair counties, responded by working with school districts to better manage their substitute teacher programs. Northern Cambria School District and Chestnut Ridge School District are among the most recent districts to sign on to the program for the 2016-17 school year. Ignite will recruit, screen, hire, place and manage substitute teachers for the district.
Certified teachers, including retired teachers and new teacher graduates and individuals with four-year degrees who are eligible to be emergency certified as substitutes are in high demand in the tri-county area. Adding teachers-in-training to the list will help expand the sub pool.
“Student teachers awarded this type of substitute teaching permit must be age 18 or older and pass required background checks, just like any other sub,” said Duppstadt. “Even though they are limited as to the number of days they can sub, the experience is great hands-on learning for them and an added resource to provide uninterrupted instruction to students when regular teachers are off for the day.”
Ignite Education Solutions is seeking certified teachers, retired teachers and individuals with four-year degrees in any subject to serve as substitute teachers across Cambria, Somerset and Bedford counties. Beginning September 11, Ignite will also accept applications from aspiring teachers that meet the state’s requirements for a substitute teaching permit. Ignite Education Solutions and The Learning Lamp are hosting two hiring events in August where attendees can take part in on-site job interviews and be provided with more information on all open positions at Ignite and The Learning Lamp. The job fairs will be held at Ignite’s main office at 2025 Bedford Street in Johnstown and are scheduled for the following dates and times:
Thursday, August 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, August 25 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Ignite offers competitive pay rates, flexible scheduling, plus professional development. All positions require updated clearances. To learn more about Ignite Education Solutions, visit igniteedu.org. For more information on Ignite’s Substitute Teacher Program, call Kellie at 814-262-0732 extension 244.
@thelearninglamp:Ready to make a positive impact in the classroom? Ignite Education Solutions is hiring a part-time Substitute Personal Care Aide to work in the Greater Johnstown Area School District. Benefits include training and development opportunities and more! When school is off, you're off! Candidates must have a high school diploma and the ability to pass clearances. Apply online today at http://tiny.cc/4v3avz
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