Pennsylvania
Guest commentary: Pennsylvania has a crisis in education staffing
The number of teacher certifications given in the state of Pennsylvania in 2022 was at an all-time low; only 4,220 certifications were granted. In 2012, the number of certifications was over 16,000. This decline of more than 70% in 10 years is twice the national average. This lack of staff means that districts will have a difficult time finding quality educators and will need to be more competitive to be able to hire the staff they require. This places districts that are underfunded at an extreme disadvantage.
It is difficult to become a teacher. The programs are rigorous, you must take a lot of extra tests that people in other majors are not subject to, and student teaching which may last one entire semester, or in many colleges is divided over the entire 4 years of the degree program, is unpaid.
While people in other fields are given internships and are paid, student teachers actually must pay the college tuition to do the work of student teaching. College debt is sky high for people going into education and student loans are extremely burdensome and can continue to be for many years after graduation.
This shortage of teachers is being addressed by lowering the standards needed to receive a teaching certificate. Emergency certifications are being given out in great numbers, which is very bad for our students in Pennsylvania. Instructors who are given these emergency certifications have minimum requirements for teaching the classes they are assigned to. Many have minimum or no coursework in the subjects they are assigned to teach. How can we expect our young people to grow and flourish into great scholars if they are not being taught by people who know their subject matter?
Research states that teacher quality is the biggest determinant of student success. There is a clear statistical relationship between the experience and years of teaching of the educator, and the success of his/her students. Teacher turnover in underfunded districts is much higher than in wealthy districts, making the experience and years of teaching statistics much lower in poorer school districts, therefore, student success also much lower.
This problem will not just disappear on its own; it requires thoughtful solutions. This phenomenon has happened over a number of years, and will take a number of years to remedy. Paying students for student teaching and making it akin to an internship, instead of making students pay tuition to student teach, would be a start. The students would save thousands of dollars in tuition as well as make some money for the services they are providing to the schools which they are assigned.
This is a statewide problem and the state finances need to be involved. The governor’s budget could help by raising starting salaries of teachers throughout the state. A good starting salary might be very different for the middle of the state than what a good starting salary would be for the eastern counties such as Chester and Montgomery counties, the two wealthiest counties in the state, having the highest cost of living. Perhaps a percentage throughout the state could be agreed upon to raise teacher salaries across the board, thereby not making all salaries the same, but equal for where educators live and teach.
Pre-K-to-12 school districts are suffering from a severe drought of math and science teachers. Why would you want to be a teacher with a degree in chemistry, physics, or finance, where you make would make such a low salary, when you can go to one of the large drug companies or financial institutions in the area and double or triple your salary from the start? We need to think much more deeply about what and how educators are compensated for the knowledge they bring to our children every day.
Education is the biggest influence and game changer there is upon the direction of a young person’s life. Without a good education which extends beyond a high school degree, there is a slim chance of overall success for a good paying career which leads to better overall health outcomes and satisfaction with one’s lot in life. Pennsylvania politicians on both sides of the aisle need to come together and work to help students in all districts have the same opportunities for success. Gov. Josh Shapiro and Dr. Khalid Mumin, PA Secretary of Education, need to lead the way. We are watching.
Dr. Myra Forrest is a lifelong educator, former school superintendent and currently education advocate for the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation.
Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report.
The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike.
Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.
Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.
The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists.
In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations.
According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future.
The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.
Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website.
It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.
However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list.
It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5.
“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”
Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on cast vote records creates uncertainty for counties
NEW CASTLE, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Charles “Yami” Frederick Jamison, age 83, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, formerly of Warren, Ohio, passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Haven Convalescent Home.
Mr. Jamison was born December 2, 1942, in New Castle, a son of the late Charles N. and Anna (Callihan) Jamison and was a 1960 graduate of New Castle High School.
Charles worked as an order checker clerk for Packard Electric Company, Warren, Ohio, for 31 years, until his retirement in 1999.
A proud veteran, he served his country in the United States Navy.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Warren, Ohio and also attended Mass at Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church.
Charles spent his free time hunting and playing Euchre.
He is survived by his four sisters, Margaret I. Klann, Mary E. DeMarco and Catherine “Kay” A. Houk (Robert), all of New Castle and Susan J. Olson (Donald), Winfield, Illinois; his brother, Richard Jamison (Linda) of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the City Rescue Mission, 319 S. Croton Ave., New Castle, PA, 16101, and the Salvation Army, 240 W. Grant St., New Castle, PA, 16101.
The family would like to extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Haven Convalescent Home for the care and support that Charles received over the years.
Calling Hours will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls St., New Castle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on 10:30 a.m., Wednesday May 13, 2026, in Holy Spirit Parish – St. Mary’s Church, 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, with Rev. Aaron Kriss, as celebrant.
Interment: Castleview Memorial Gardens, Neshannock Twp.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles F. Jamison, please visit our flower store.
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