Within the space of one year of participating in a pilot fast-track certification program in partnership with Robert Morris University (RMU), Friendship Academy teacher Jennifer Lawrence will have earned her third teaching certification, focused on special education, and passed the Special Education Praxis exam.
When Jenn started working at the Watson Institute’s Friendship Academy in 2023, she already brought with her more than 20 years of experience in the classroom, an undergraduate degree and master’s degree in education, and two teaching certifications.
“I never thought I would go back to school,” shared Jenn.
Watson Institute & RMU: Partners in Education
The Watson Institute and RMU have been partners in education for decades, providing opportunities for prospective teachers and behavior therapists to complete the necessary field studies and observations at Watson schools. Watson’s staff boasts many proud RMU alumni who got their start as student interns and can recall their own time shadowing in our schools.
In an effort to provide additional pathways for educators to earn Special Education Teaching certifications, RMU’s School of Education team collaborated with Watson to launch a fast-track program for teachers with emergency certifications to earn Special Education Teaching Certifications within a year.
Jenn is one of four Watson Institute employees participating in the accelerated certification program at RMU in its inaugural 2025-2026 school year. Each of the staff participants has a different level of experience and holds various positions within the Watson Institute, and while the coursework follows the same general themes, the topics are tailored to meet their current levels of understanding and career goals.
Through the fast-track program, Jenn will earn her special education teaching certification and complete coursework toward an additional master’s degree.
The coursework offers new perspectives and approaches to teaching that Jenn can incorporate into her classroom in real time at Friendship Academy. She’s also learning new technologies and tools, and ways to incorporate AI into the classroom as it’s become more pervasive for both students and educators.
Going through the program alongside her coworkers has been beneficial as she can collaborate with them when trying new approaches, studying the coursework, and discussing topics they’ve learned during their classes.
RMU and the tuition reimbursement program offered by the Watson Institute are covering the cost of tuition for the participants in the pilot program, thanks to a grant RMU received, ensuring that financial constraints aren’t a barrier for those who want to pursue the certification.
Partners in Education with Area Colleges & Universities
Continued partnerships with our area universities and colleges strengthen opportunities not only for their students to explore careers in special education, but for employees at the Watson Institute as they advance their professional degrees and build on their expertise.
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