Saint Vincent graduate fellows pursue advanced degrees, support local school districts

There are two additional students in the classrooms of Franklin Regional School District this year: two graduate students from Saint Vincent College.

The Saint Vincent College Fellowship program brings two students enrolled in Saint Vincent’s master’s of education program to Franklin Regional for the next two academic years.

“It’s a win-win,” said Saint Vincent education department chair and professor Veronica Ent. “Schools get a teacher for 18 months, and the student gets an opportunity to build some experience and look for their dream job.”

Graduate students in the fellowship program work under a school building principal as a substitute teacher, or to provide remedial support or additional assistance as a teacher’s aide. In exchange, they are able to pursue an advanced degree at no cost while remaining on their parents’ health insurance, can defer student loans while earning that degree, and receive a small expense stipend.

Ent said grad students are often hired directly out of the fellowship program, and the program has a 98% placement rate for those who complete it.

“The hope, ultimately, is to grow our own teachers in the areas, who are interested in staying here while they get their master’s degrees,” she said.

At Franklin Regional, Superintendent Gennaro Piraino said graduate fellows have done extensive work in supporting the district’s English language learners.

“This year, they’re really going to focus on helping with our multi-tiered system of support,” he said. The system is designed to identify struggling students early and provide academic intervention quickly.

“They’ll do some work around language skills, but predominantly their focus will be the support system, and providing remediation and intervention services,” Piraino said.

Fellows work in their assigned district four days per week, leaving a fifth day when they can opt to find substitute teacher work elsewhere, or work on their master’s degree research.

“It offers our graduate candidates some flexibility,” Ent said.

The fellowship program originated as a partnership between Saint Vincent in Unity and the Ligonier Valley School District. Over the years it has expanded to include Penn-Trafford, Franklin Regional, Derry Area, River Valley and Greater Latrobe. The program averages between eight and 10 participants each year.

“It’s a little more difficult finding participants now that so many teachers have retired following the pandemic,” Ent said. “A lot of undergrads are finding jobs with relative ease.”

Whether through the fellowship program or an advantageous job market, Piraino said he wants to see the ranks of education positions filled.

“Our ultimate goal, at a time when there’s a shortage of educators, is that these students can go out into the world with the skills to support all types of students,” he said. “And we’re hoping they choose to stay in the area, whether it’s at Franklin Regional or another school district in the region.”

For more, see education.stvincent.edu.