Impact of State Budget Impasse on Student Teachers
Due to the state budget impasse, student teachers in Pennsylvania are facing difficulties as their stipends are delayed.
“[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, expressed her concerns about her financial situation while student teaching in Armstrong County. She applied for the student teacher stipend as soon as the application was available but has yet to receive it due to the budget impasse.
- Mikita is teaching full-time at Apollo-Ridge Elementary in Armstrong County without pay.
- She was depending on the $10,000 stipend to cover essential expenses like groceries and gas.
Like thousands of other student teachers statewide, Mikita is waiting for assistance that is on hold until lawmakers in Harrisburg agree on a budget.
Author's summary: Student teachers in Pennsylvania face financial struggles due to delayed stipends.