Securing Over 300 Media Placements to Raise Awareness and Find Solutions to PA’s Teacher Shortage

Challenge:

Pennsylvania is facing a growing teacher shortage, with alarming declines in new teaching certifications. #PANeedsTeachers, a new coalition to rebuild the teacher pipeline needed to build awareness of the crisis and propose solutions like the Student Teacher Stipend program.

Strategy:

Fitler Square Strategies developed a targeted media relations campaign highlighting the urgency of the teacher shortage and introducing solutions like the Student Teacher Stipend program. We planned and executed roundtables, identified compelling stories of educators and students, and pitched reporters covering education and state politics.

Execution:

• Coordinated interviews between affected teachers and advocates and key state media outlets.

• Placed op-eds in high-circulation newspapers to drive the urgency of legislative action.

• Planned and executed roundtables that drove stakeholder conversation and media coverage of the teacher shortage crisis.

Results:

• Earned coverage in every major Pennsylvania outlet, including The Philadelphia Inquirer, PennLive, and Post-Gazette as well broadcast segments in key legislative districts to maximize visibility among policymakers.

• Positioned the campaign as a leading voice on teacher recruitment and retention in Pennsylvania.

• Secured over 300 media placements throughout Pennsylvania