Shaping the Future of Special Education in Philadelphia

“Becoming a teacher has been my dream since I was a child, “ says Ashely Stitt ’26. This fall, she realized that lifelong ambition, joining the Louis H. Farrell School in the Rhawnhurst neighborhood as a special education teacher.

And thanks to partnerships between Holy Family University, the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), Stitt is just one of many special education teachers who will bring their talents to the Philadelphia school system in the coming years, addressing a vital need in the city.

Stitt attended Holy Family through the Pathways to Teaching Program created by the School District of Philadelphia to provide funding and support to district employees in nonteaching roles who want to pursue teaching degrees and certifications. Recently, the School District of Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and in strategic partnership with Holy Family, announced the new Teacher Certification Assistance Program to educate district teachers who want to transition into special education. Under the program, eligible teachers receive fully funded tuition and books and take courses on an accelerated timeline.

“We are grateful for the partnership with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and the work of Holy Family University to tailor its curriculum to the needs and context of the School District of Philadelphia so that our students who need it most are served by highly qualified, well supported, and stable educators,” Michael Farrell, chief academic officer for the School District of Philadelphia, said in a press release.

“As a longtime special education teacher, I know that serving students who require additional support to thrive is rewarding, important work. There should be no financial barriers to joining this skilled workforce during an acute special education teacher shortage,” Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur G. Steinberg said in the same release.

Sixty-three district employees—43 experienced and certified teachers and 20 school-based staff members—currently are enrolled at Holy Family through these programs. After graduation, they will commit to teaching special education in Philadelphia.

“We are proud to be partnering with SDP and PFT to meet this critical need. Since our founding, Holy Family has been committed to developing education professionals to teach the next generation of students. This partnership leverages our strengths and will have an immediate impact on the city,” says Dr. Anne Prisco, president of Holy Family University.

That impact can be seen in Stitt’s first days in the classroom. “My time at Holy Family University allowed me to learn from outstanding professors and build meaningful, lasting relationships with my classmates,” Stitt says. “I am filled with gratitude for the support, encouragement, and opportunities the Pathway Program provided. I would not be where I am today without it.”