“For me, it would have been hard for me to complete it without the stipend — I would not have been able to complete my degree. That's one of the main reasons why some students back away from student teaching.”

Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget includes commonsense solutions to problems facing Pennsylvanians — especially when it comes to strengthening the Commonwealth’s workforce.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal delivers commonsense solutions to challenges facing Pennsylvanians — especially when it comes to strengthening our workforce. In his budget address, the Governor called on the General Assembly to join him in solving these problems, including tackling Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage.

A key focus of Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget is a $20 million increase for the PA Student Teacher Support Program, bringing the total amount spent on this initiative to $40 million annually to ensure more aspiring educators can complete their training and enter the profession. With nearly 5,500 teacher vacancies statewide, this investment will help fill critical staffing gaps and strengthen Pennsylvania’s educator pipeline.

Click here to watch Melanie Williams, a former student teacher from the Centennial School District and recipient of a student teacher stipend, share how the program helped her pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and why these investments matter, or read the transcript below.

TRANSCRIPT

“My name is Melanie Williams, and right now I am a substitute teacher in Centennial School District. I am here today because I was invited to come to the budget address for Governor Shapiro for the student teacher stipend.

“It made me feel pretty special. I didn't think someone like me could have an impact on future teachers in my profession.

“There are different barriers that goes into student teaching. Of course, you’ve got to do the coursework, but one of the final steps is actually going into the classroom and teaching. Usually, in the past, they do not get paid for doing that, so it makes it hard to complete it.

“For me, it would have been hard for me to complete it without the stipend — I would not have been able to complete my degree. That's one of the main reasons why some students back away from student teaching — because they know they have to think about their family."