New Project Aims to Combat Teacher Shortage

WNEP-TV 16 Thursday May 1st

By: Valeria Quinones

HAZLETON, Pa. Community leaders and educators joined forces Thursday morning at Luzerne County Community College's Hazleton Center to announce a new initiative aimed at combating the statewide teacher shortage.*

The 'Teach in NEPA' project is a partnership between LCCC, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, and the Hazleton Area School District.

"Going to work collaboratively seamlessly to produce a four-year degree for less than $30,000 here at Luzerne County Community College's Hazleton Center. That means they enroll here, go here, graduate here, and work here," said John Yudichak, Luzerne County Community College President.

Students would start their college education at LCCC and transfer seamlessly to Commonwealth University's Early Childhood Education Program. Upon graduation, the new teachers will be offered employment within the Hazleton Area School District.

Founding President of the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Hanna, says this is a major way to break down barriers for the large population of first-generation college students in the city of Hazleton, "This program is important to me both professionally and personally. As a 5th grader in the United States in the Allentown, Pennsylvania, school district, I spoke not a single word of English. A teacher transformed my life, and this is a way for me to make sure that students who are bilingual are not impacted adversely>

With over 5,500 teaching vacancies across Pennsylvania, this part of Luzerne County is feeling the impact, particularly because of the large bilingual student population in the Hazleton Area School District. Officials say this new project will help remedy that.

"And the ultimate goal is, hopefully, these well-prepared, bilingual teachers will go back to Hazleton and serve as mentors and teachers to students just like they were a few years ago," said Dr. Hannah.

"It's unprecedented to be able to have them possibly become teachers in the place that they graduated from, in the district they graduated from, and not leave the community. For less than $30,000," said Superintendent Brian Uplinger, Hazleton Area School District.