{"id":24764,"date":"2026-03-18T09:13:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quantum.esu.edu\/insider\/?p=24764"},"modified":"2026-03-18T09:14:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T13:14:34","slug":"department-of-education-announces-plan-to-put-more-special-education-teachers-in-classrooms-during-esu-press-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quantum.esu.edu\/insider\/department-of-education-announces-plan-to-put-more-special-education-teachers-in-classrooms-during-esu-press-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Department of Education Announces Plan to Put More Special Education Teachers in Classrooms During ESU Press Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Amy Lena visited\u00a0 East Stroudsburg University to announce nearly $1 million in grants to 11 institutions of higher education to provide an accelerated pathway to certification for Special Education teachers in training, delivering on Governor Josh Shapiro\u2019s pledge to stabilize the Commonwealth\u2019s pipeline of highly qualified teachers<\/a> and ensure that all Pennsylvania students \u2013 including students with disabilities — have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.<\/p>\n

These grants allow higher education institutions to expedite training and certification for Special Education teachers like Nick Tanzillo, who earned his certification in the first cohort of 142 educators who completed the Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification in 2025<\/a>. Tanzillo is now a Special Education teacher for Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 working with students in a therapeutic emotional support program at Pleasant Valley Middle School in the Pleasant Valley School District and a mentor to students in East Stroudsburg University\u2019s second cohort of aspiring educators in the accelerated program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Accelerated Grant Program created an opportunity that once felt out of reach, the ability to become a certified special education teacher while continuing to work and support my family. The mentorship, field experience, and coursework worked together to accelerate my growth as an educator,\u201d Tanzillo said. \u201cBecause of that investment, my students now benefit from a classroom led by someone who understands their needs from years of hands-on experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Created under the Shapiro Administration and first announced in 2023<\/a>, the Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification expedites the certification process for prospective special educators who are currently working on emergency permits, experience-based certificates, or serving as paraeducators in Pennsylvania schools.<\/p>\n

Jieh Xuan (Tina) Pan began her career in 2018 and worked as a paraeducator supporting students with autism until 2022, when she was accepted into the accelerated program through East Stroudsburg University on an emergency permit. Pan completed the program in 2024 and earned her full teaching certification. Today, she works as a Special Education teacher for Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 in a K-2 autistic support classroom at Morey Elementary School in the Stroudsburg School District.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis accelerated program gave me the opportunity to grow from a paraprofessional who loved supporting students into a certified teacher leading my own classroom,\u201d Pan said. \u201cAs a single mom, it wasn\u2019t always easy but now I get to help my students learn, grow and celebrate the small victories that make this work so meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2025, a second group of students began coursework through the accelerated program<\/a> to become certified Special Education teachers in Pennsylvania. Enrolled at 14 colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth, those 150 students are on track to obtain their teaching certification later this year.<\/p>\n

With the third round of funding announced this week, the Shapiro Administration is helping to train and certify an additional 175 Special Education teachers – bringing the total to more than 450 Special Education teachers being prepared to teach in Pennsylvania classrooms through this expedited pipeline.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople like Nick Tanzillo and Jieh Xuan Pan were already showing up for students every day.\u00a0 What they needed was a pathway to earn their full teacher certification without putting their lives or careers on hold. That\u2019s exactly what this accelerated program provides,\u201d said Secretary Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. \u201cBy partnering with institutions like East Stroudsburg University, we\u2019re helping dedicated Pennsylvanians move into the classrooms where they\u2019re needed most and making sure students with disabilities have access to the highly qualified teachers they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2023, the Shapiro Administration has invested $3.5 million in three rounds of grants to colleges and universities that partner with at least one school district, approved private school, career and technical center, charter school, cyber charter school, or intermediate unit. Through these partnerships, individuals who already hold bachelor\u2019s degrees receive mentoring and instructional coaching from experienced special educators while completing an accelerated postbaccalaureate program leading to PK-12 special education teacher certification within 18 months. Programs must offer both in-person and virtual options to support full-time workers and include at least 12 weeks of student teaching.<\/p>\n

East Stroudsburg University is a three-time recipient of the grant. The University collaborates with Northampton Community College and has partnerships with Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 and local school districts to remove roadblocks that can prohibit a student from becoming special education professionals. A total of 32 students completed the Accelerated Special Educator Certification through the first two rounds of grant funding.<\/p>\n

\u201cEast Stroudsburg University is thankful to receive grant funding once again for the Accelerated Special Educator Certification. The objective of this grant falls in line with a variety of other initiatives ESU\u2019s College of Education is working on to help put well-prepared teachers in classrooms and alleviate the teacher shortage in the commonwealth,\u201d said Dr. Brooke Langan, Dean of ESU\u2019s College of Education. \u201cWe are always working closely with area school districts to address the need for teachers including creating post-baccalaureate opportunities such as this accelerated Special Educator Certification program.\u201d<\/p>\n

The latest round of grants, ranging from $35,000 to $100,000, has been awarded to the following institutions to serve about 175 aspiring educators in the third cohort:<\/p>\n