Point Park University Awarded $20,000 Grant to Develop Future Special Educators
![Pictured is student Sarah Rock. Photo by Randall Coleman.](education-media/Sarah-Rock_Maker-Space-Grand-Opening_Randall-Coleman_1000_IMG_9553.jpg)
"We are honored to receive this significant and meaningful grant aimed at increasing experiential learning opportunities for students of all abilities, and inspiring the next generation of special education specialists."
Point Park University’s School of Education was awarded a 2024-2025 Developing Future Special Educators Grant from the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, a project of the Bureau of Special Education in Pennsylvania.
The $20,000 grant is awarded to agencies and institutions of higher education to provide opportunities to develop and expand experiential learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
"We are honored to receive this significant and meaningful grant aimed at increasing experiential learning opportunities for students of all abilities, and inspiring the next generation of special education specialists," said Kristen Misutka, Ph.D., assistant professor of education.
The 2024-2025 Developing Future Special Educators Grant focuses on establishing or expanding experiential learning opportunities aligned to special education career pathways with purposeful recruitment and marketing to future special educators and increasing interest of secondary/postsecondary students in pursuing a career as a special educator by providing experiential learning opportunities that support the success of students with disabilities.
Point Park offers bachelor's and master's degrees in special education, and undergraduate students majoring in elementary education or secondary education can pursue dual certification in PreK-12 special education.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s office awarded $1.4 million in grants to 77 school entities to grow the Commonwealth’s next generation of special educators.
"Creating a future for our learners starts with having enough well-qualified, well-paid teachers in our classrooms, and this grant funding will bolster our efforts to generate a robust educator workforce in the Commonwealth," said Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Pennsylvania Secretary of Education. "By inspiring today’s students to become tomorrow’s teachers—and by investing in hands-on learning and career exploration opportunities—we are laying the foundation to support Pennsylvania’s students for decades to come."
Learn more about the School of Education:
- Education Majors Studying Special Education Gain Hands-On Travel Instruction Experience Through Partnership with the Pathfinder School
- Student Q&A: Educational Theories and Practices Course Opens Elementary Education Major Up to a World of Possibilities
- Faculty Q&A: Kristen Misutka, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the School of Education