POTTSTOWN, Pa.- A statewide group called PA Needs Teachers brought together lawmakers, educators, and future teachers for a roundtable discussion at Pottstown High School.
The focus: Pennsylvania’s growing teacher shortage and how to fix it.
“Our teachers have lost respect over time, they are not valued,” said State Senator Tracy Pennycuick.
Across the state, fewer people are entering the teaching profession, and more teachers are leaving. Over the past decade, the number of certified teachers in Pennsylvania has dropped significantly.
“They need to know that they’re valued. Their salaries have to be competitive to local industries. And also, there has to be a pipeline in education where the cost isn’t through the roof to become an educator,” said State Representative Joe Ciresi.
Leaders say there are several reasons why: the cost of becoming a teacher, burnout in the classroom, and a profession many say no longer feels supported.
“It is almost a bit discouraging… people keep saying teaching can be a hard job to get into, it’s exhausting,” said Gianna Marchese.
That’s why discussions like this matter, says Marchese, who is studying to become a teacher and already working inside classrooms. She says despite the challenges, she’s staying committed.
“I hope that teachers feel inspired by this and feel the ability to speak up for their school and push forward for this,” she said.