Across Pennsylvania, school districts have been facing a major shortage of educators. Less than half the amount of teaching certifications issued about a decade ago are being issued today. One of the areas facing the greatest need is special education.
However, thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) Bureau of Special Education, Cedar Crest College hopes to “Make a Splash” and inspire high school and community college students to become special educators and address this need.
The College was awarded $19,652 by the PDE, fully funding its initiative to inspire the next generation of special educators.
With the generous award, Melissa Kamyab, Chair of the Education Department, has big plans to “Make a Splash” with local technical high school and community college students.
This initiative will capitalize on the College’s existing partnership with the Special Olympics, whose swimmers practice at the Rodale Aquatic Center on campus. It will bring together students, Cedar Crest faculty and alums, special educators, and Special Olympic swimmers to engage in meaningful conversations and activities to raise awareness of the different career paths in special education, and of the College’s special education program.
“A lot of time, future special education majors are drawn to the profession because they’ve had personal experience with someone who has a special need. This could lead to an unawareness of the wide range of special education professional opportunities available to those interested,” explains Kamyab.
“We hope this initiative helps to expand their perception of what’s special about special education and inspire those who come to our campus to learn more and pursue this career path. We want to help someone who’s interested in serving students to find their place.”
“Make a Splash” will kick off in the Spring with two events planned to be held on campus.
“For now, our goal is to spend our fall dedicated to planning,” says Kamyab. “Then, in the spring we can start inspiring.”
For more information, contact Melissa Kamyab.