New USCHS Course Prepares Future Teachers

This spring marks the first time the course has been offered at Upper St. Clair.

The addition of Foundations of Education reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and its curriculum development process. Teachers and administrators regularly assess student interests and career goals to ensure course offerings align with future opportunities.

“It's an important goal at USCHS to ensure that new elective offerings align with students' expressed career interests,” Dr. Timothy Wagner, principal and supervisor of secondary education, said. “For example, we've recently added several modernized business courses based on what students have shared about their postsecondary plans. Concurrently, we know that a significant percentage of our students are interested in careers working with young people. A Foundations of Education course provides students with background and college credit that support these pursuits.”

The course also comes at a time when schools across Pennsylvania are experiencing a teacher shortage. According to research from Penn State University, the number of new teacher certifications in Pennsylvania declined from approximately 19,000 in 2013 to about 6,200 in 2024. The Foundations of Education course provides students with an opportunity to explore the profession and begin preparing for a potential career in education.

“The next generation of students deserves the best future teachers,” Dr. Wagner said. “What better place than Upper St. Clair School District to begin training those who will one day influence and teach the next generation of students?”

Taught by Dr. Michael Funfar, Upper St. Clair High School math teacher, the semester-long course is open to students in grades 11 and 12. The inaugural class includes 10 students, each of whom can earn three college credits through Robert Morris University upon successful completion.

“This course is the foundation-level course, which is central to any education major – elementary, middle, or high school,” Dr. Funfar said. “It provides students with a vital introduction to teaching by deepening their understanding of the American education system, including its history and societal influences.”

In addition to classroom learning, students gain valuable hands-on experience through field placements at Eisenhower Elementary School. In partnership with Eisenhower Principal Mark Miller and lead teachers Jaclyn Reed, grade 2, and Pam Petrarca, grade 3, students participated in two classroom visits designed to provide meaningful, real-world exposure.

During their first visit, high school students observed classroom environments and teacher-student interactions. On their second visit, each student led a 15–20 minute lesson designed during class time in collaboration with the elementary teachers. 

“We took class time to develop the lessons, in coordination with Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Petrarca, to ensure they were meaningful for their elementary students,” Dr. Funfar said. “The second-grade team conducted a differentiated mathematics activity focused on adding three-digit numbers, while the third-grade group focused on discerning the main ideas in fictional text.”

Upper St. Clair High School has offered child development courses for several years. Child Growth & Development focuses on care-giving and future parenting. Child Care and Development 1 and 2 offer hands-on experiences with pre-school aged children. Foundations of Education expands the scope to include kindergarten through 12th grade, while also providing the opportunity to earn college credit.

“This course is focused on any level of education – kindergarten through 12th grade,” Dr. Funfar said. “Students can earn college credit through RMU, which is accepted at other major universities, including Pitt and Penn State, with reciprocity agreements. This allows students to earn three credits at a minimal cost and jump-start their educational career.”

Dr. Wagner hopes the new course provides a meaningful opportunity for students to explore and pursue careers in education.

“We hope that our students build a foundational knowledge through discussions, lectures, and field observations that equip them with the confidence to pursue a degree in education,” Dr. Wagner said. “Dr. Funfar has done a masterful job of building a course that reveals to high school students the realities of working in education and the rewards that come with entering this noble profession.”