Bucks IU offers PA’s first Pre-K-12 special education teacher apprenticeship

The Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) is breaking new ground by launching Pennsylvania’s first apprenticeship program aimed at developing Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) to 12 special education teachers. This innovative program provides current Bucks IU staff a unique pathway to earn their Pennsylvania Special Education teaching certification while working full-time, gaining hands-on classroom experience, and earning a salary — all at no cost to the employees.

This registered apprenticeship program, approved by the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Council under the Department of Labor and Industry, is designed to address the growing demand
for qualified special education teachers in Pennsylvania.

“We’ve seen an increasing need for special education teachers,” said Dr. Mark Hoffman, Bucks IU Executive Director. “With fewer candidates graduating from colleges with a special education teaching certification, it quickly became our goal to ‘grow our own’ educators by offering this program to current team members interested in becoming a special education teacher.  We believe these efforts can become a model for other educational institutions to develop their own workforce.”

Dr. Jennifer Hertwig, Bucks IU assistant to the executive director for operations, began developing the apprenticeship while working in the special education division. “Like many education institutions, we’ve faced ongoing challenges in finding qualified candidates for specialized positions. This apprenticeship program allows us to invest in our own staff, helping them grow into these crucial roles.”

The PK-12 Special Education Teacher Apprenticeship is designed to recruit, train and maintain high-quality professionals in the field of education, at a time when there is a national teacher shortage. Candidates will have the opportunity to receive on-the-job training in Pre-K-12 special education classrooms, while receiving teacher certification credits in special education. Apprentices will take courses in an online or hybrid setting and obtain the skills to become highly effective educators for students who have learning, mental, emotional or physical disabilities.

Qualified Bucks IU staff can apply to the program and undergo an interview process. Once selected, participants are paired with a mentor and continue to work full-time while completing coursework. Their coursework tuition will be paid-in-full by the Bucks IU.

The first 60 credits will be completed through Bucks County Community College, with participants earning an associate degree. The remaining credits will be completed through Gwynedd Mercy University, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Gwynedd Mercy also prepares the aspiring teachers for their Pennsylvania Special Education Teaching Certification. The entire program takes approximately three and a half
years to complete.

In addition to earning their salary, participants will receive pay increases at specific milestones as they complete their college coursework. Upon completion, graduates will continue to work for the Bucks IU as special education teachers.

“Apprenticeships open doors for staff who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to advance their careers,” said Jennifer Rawson, Bucks IU coordinator of apprenticeship programs. “We’re excited to help our staff grow while also working to ensure the Bucks IU has a steady pipeline of highly qualified Special Education teachers for years to come.”