Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

Urban teaching presents a very different environment than rural teaching. In an urban setting, it is not uncommon to have classes that are diverse along the spectrums of many identities. Different societal factors, such as poverty or low parental involvement, may also play a role in the teaching environment. Under the Pennsylvania Governor’s Schools of Excellence (PGSE), the Governor’s School of Urban Teaching was designed to address the reoccurring problem of attracting students to teach in cities, like Philadelphia.  
 
Unfortunately, the Governor’s School of Urban Teaching program was cut along with the many other Governor’s Schools in 2008. Therefore, I am introducing legislation that will create the “Governor’s School of Urban Teaching Act” to establish a program to enable future generations of educators to engage in an intensive summer program designed to demonstrate the rewards and hardships of teaching in an urban environment. It is my hope that by re-establishing the Governor’s School of Urban Teaching, the program will help in attracting better, more qualified educators for future generations.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation that would expose young people to an invaluable experience in their future teaching careers.