Teach in NEPA
From Classroom to Career: A New, Affordable Pathway to Teaching in Pennsylvania
A Historical Partnership
Luzerne County Community College (LCCC), Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) and Hazleton Area School District (HASD) are pleased to announce an educational partnership beginning in the Fall semester of 2025 to address an acute workforce need in Pennsylvania. Currently, there are over 5,500 teacher vacancies in PA at a time when fewer students are pursuing education degrees and record-high number of teachers are leaving the profession.
Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly advanced a new law, Act 33 of 2023, to encourage students to pursue degrees in Education that funded a $20 million Education Pipeline Grant providing $10,000 stipends to eligible student teachers. In addition, Governor Shapiro and the PA General Assembly passed Act 69 of 2024, the College Affordability & Transparency Act, which guarantees community college graduates junior status at all PASSHE universities and limits a baccalaureate degree to an additional 60 credits.
In response to Governor Shapiro and the PA General Assembly, the innovative partnership among LCCC, CU, and HASD will create the most efficient, cost-effective pathway to a debt-free bachelor’s degree in education, while aggressively addressing the critical teacher shortage in PA. The initiative will produce new teachers at LCCC’s Center in the heart of Hazleton and provide student teaching opportunities at HASD. For the first time in history, a student will be able to earn an associate degree and bachelor’s degree in education without ever having to leave Hazleton.
With the support of HASD, students will be able to remain in the city of Hazleton. HASD will welcome student observations, hands-on training, and student-teacher experiences. Access to local teaching experience will eliminate the barriers students face when forced to travel outside the area. The three schools will work to create employment opportunities to retain graduates for employment at HASD following graduation.
Begin your degree path while still in high school, earn a teaching degree for under $30,000, and earn over $2 million throughout your teaching career, all without having to leave Hazleton.
Teacher Shortage
- Pennsylvania ranks 16th filling teaching jobs
- 7.7% teacher attrition rate in 2022-23
- 5,500 teacher vacancies in Pennsylvania
- 57,000 teachers needed by 2028
- 934 classrooms closed due to shortage
- 2,395 childcare vacancies in 2023
- $69,410 average teacher salary in Pennsylvania
LCCC and CU have partnered for decades to serve the students and residents of northeastern and central PA. Over the last 5 years, 352 Luzerne students transferred to CU. LCCC also boasts the highest four-year graduation rate of transfer students at CU at 70.5%. Clearly, CU is a destination of choice for LCCC students. The proposed partnership will shape the future of education, address the present teacher shortage, and demonstrate even greater success for LCCC transfer students. In addition, it will increase the number of Pennsylvanian college graduates employed in the Commonwealth through job opportunities at Hazleton Area School District.
- LCCC and CU will create a seamless transfer pipeline to prepare & retain teachers locally using the Grow Your Own model.
- Students will attain an Associate of Applied Science (AAS in Early Childhood) at LCCC.
- Upon AAS completion, students are guaranteed junior status in CU’s PK-4 Early Childhood Education major.
- CU will deliver the last two years of the program with in-person & online courses at the LCCC Hazleton Center, 100 West Broad Street, Hazleton, PA 18201.
Hazleton Area School District
- Over 13,000 students
- 70% Hispanic
- In need of teachers
- Students begin early college classes in HS
- Student teaching opportunities at HA
- 16 schools
Luzerne County Community College
- Delivers 2-yr Associate Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Affordable
- Transfer to 4-yr college
Commonwealth University
- Bachelor’s in Education
- LCCC’s Top Transfer School
Together
- $7,000/yr Associate LCCC
- $8,000/yr Bachelor’s CU
- Students could earn a teaching degree for $30,000
- $10,000 Student Teaching Stipend
- HASD will recruit graduates for teaching positions
The Best Pathway to a Debt Free College Education
Additional Funding Available
Federal student aid, state financial assistance, and local scholarships are also available. In further reducing tuition rates, earning a teaching degree will be more accessible and affordable than ever before in Pennsylvania.
Commonwealth University Admissions
Luzerne County Community College Admissions
- 570-740-0337
- admissions@luzerne.edu
- luzerne.edu/admissions
