Aspiring educators fight for support this legislative session
Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators, the union of more than 3,000 future teachers across the state, are raising their voice for student teacher support at the Capitol this year.
Our future teachers face enormous hardships making ends meet while in their teacher preparation programs. Many work extra jobs to pay for tuition, room and board. This is only made worse when they take on the necessary and challenging role as a student teacher. These student teachers don’t get to choose where they get placed, and some in rural areas are placed up to 60 minutes away from their homes. This puts a larger burden on students to cover essential food and gas costs, while they’re serving as an extra adult in schools during the educator shortage.
Aspiring Educator members will be asking legislators to take action to combat the educator shortage by making teacher preparation programs more attractive. They’re asking for a fair stipend for the hours worked in schools, expanding an already existing Student Teacher Grant program within the Office of Higher Education that lacks applicants and effectiveness. They’re also asking for tuition to be waived during the semester they’re completing their student teaching hours, as most students don’t step foot on college campuses during that time.
EMAE would love to see current and retired educators show up in solidarity for them at their Lobby Day and Rally, details below. If you’d like to send a message of support for our Aspiring Educators, please email paystudentteachersmn@gmail.com.
