Western Pa. education leaders seek solutions to statewide teacher shortage crisis

Mt. Pleasant Area School District Assistant Superintendent Beth Hutson (center) speaks as Alexander Novickoff (left), assistant director of workforce education at Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, and Laura Boyce, executive director of Teach Plus PA, look on during a panel discussion about the statewide teacher shortage while at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit in Hempfield on May 30.

Laura Boyce (center), executive director of Teach Plus PA, speaks as Mt. Pleasant Area School District Assistant Superintendent Beth Hutson (left) and Rich Fitzgerald, executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, listen during a panel discussion about the statewide teacher shortage on May 30.

Rich Fitzgerald, executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, speaks during a panel discussion about the statewide teacher shortage while at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit in Hempfield on May 30.

Alexander Novickoff (center), assistant director of workforce education at Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, speaks during a panel discussion about the statewide teacher shortage, how it is affecting Westmoreland County schools and the steps being taken to solve the problem at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit in Hempfield on May 30.

Angel Carilli, a Yough student who attends Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, stands for a portrait at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit in Hempfield on May 30.

State Rep. Eric Nelson speaks during a panel discussion about the statewide teacher shortage, how it is affecting Westmoreland County schools and the steps being taken to solve the problem at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit in Hempfield on May 30.

Dottie Staffen, a representative from Sen. Kim Ward’s office, speaks during a panel discussion about the statewide teacher shortage while at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit in Hempfield on May 30. Looking on are state Rep. Jill Cooper (from left), state Rep. George Dunbar and state Rep. Eric Nelson.