Students, educators ask lawmakers to solve Pa. teacher shortage [Video]

HARRISBURG, Pa. — It’s a well-known issue in Pennsylvania that students and teachers want solved.

“The shortage that we are facing in our state is significant,” said Donna-Marie Cole-Malott, co-executive director of the Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium.

Students preparing to enter the profession say student teaching, the final hurdle before becoming an educator, creates a financial challenge.

“Once you’re really in it, it’s like ‘Oh man, where is this money coming from?'” said Jaclyn Ohl.

Ohl is preparing to become an elementary school or special education teacher, finishing her senior year at Commonwealth University in Bloomsburg.

She said she has to handle the unpaid full-time student-teacher role and still afford to live.

“We do eventually take over the classroom 40 hours a week, teacher hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Then having to …