Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 20, 2023 03:17 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jamie L. Flick |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Substitute Teachers (From 4 Year Degree to 2 Year Degree) URGENT Need |
| School districts across the Commonwealth are in dire need of substitute teachers. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania faced a critical shortage of substitute teachers in our schools. Pennsylvania is one of several states that requires substitutes to have a bachelor’s degree. This needs to change. While running for the office of State Representative last year, I decided to become a substitute teacher and get in the classroom one or two days a month to experience the good, bad, and ugly of being a teacher. Previously, I had taught advanced computer science for six years as an adjunct professor at the Pennsylvania College of Technology and had owned a software firm for 30+ years. After going through my Intermediate Unit, getting fingerprinted, and completing the other mandated tasks to become a substitute teacher, I was informed I was not qualified because I only had a 2 year (Associates) degree. If a bachelor's degree is necessary, that would mean Bill Gates is not qualified to teach math, Ralph Lauren cannot teach art, Ted Turner cannot teach communications, Jay-Z cannot teach music, James Cameron cannot teach film, Joel Osteen cannot teach classes on religion, Tiger Woods cannot teach physical education, and U.S. President McKinley could not have taught political science as substitute teachers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I ask for co-sponsorship support on this extremely important legislation. Thank you. |
Introduced as HB1637