Pa. Student Teachers Face Financial Struggles Due to Budget Impasse
Student teachers in Pennsylvania are experiencing financial difficulties as the state budget impasse delays their stipends.
“[I’m] just wondering what it's going to be like down the road later in life. Am I going to struggle like this again? Am I going to be okay doing this?”
Kassie Mikita, a senior at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, is one such student teacher. She applied for the $10,000 stipend to cover expenses like groceries and gas, but it has been delayed due to the budget impasse.
- Mikita is teaching full-time at Apollo-Ridge Elementary in Armstrong County as part of her required student teaching placement, which is unpaid.
- She, along with thousands of other student teachers statewide, is waiting for assistance that won't be dispersed until lawmakers agree on a budget.
Author's summary: Pennsylvania student teachers struggle financially due to budget impasse.