Education Students Visit PA State Senator to Discuss Student-Teacher Stipend

GMercyU Education students visited Pennsylvania State Senator Maria Collett along with Dr. Cheryl Malfi and Dr. Patrick McAleer at her Fort Washington office on April 28. The purpose of the visit was to give future teachers and education students a voice regarding the PA student-teacher stipend program.

Created by Governor Josh Shapiro, the student-teacher stipend program pays student-teachers approximately $15,000 during their student-teaching semester, enabling them to leave their jobs during and focus solely on student-teaching and their education.

Dr. Malfi and Dr. McAleer wanted their student to share personal stories with Senator Collett so she is well informed of the impact the stipend has on GMercyU students.

Without the stipend, students often face challenges like purchasing gas and covering basic needs since they are going from class to student-teaching every day. The stipend allows GMercyU students to place 100% of their focus on student teaching, such as lesson preparation and planning, without the worry of working a part-time job.

The stipend program also provides a small stipend to cooperating or host teachers, incentivizing them to accept GMercyU student-teachers. This small stipend is a way to combat teacher burnout.

The students, Julia Bates ’25, Alexis Ditri ‘26, Toni Robinson ’26, and Madison Booz ’27, are all applicants of the student-teacher stipend program. Julia received the stipend this academic year, and completed her student-teaching on April 25. Toni and Alexis plan to complete student-teaching in spring 2026 and Madison plans to complete in fall 2026.