Student PSEA members get their careers on track at 2010 conference

Amidst student teaching, preparing for final exams, and juggling the typical student schedule, more than 350 future teachers traveled to Reading, PA to attend the 2010 Student PSEA Conference and Convention. Attendees found a wide variety of workshops, including classroom management, leadership, technology, student achievement, culture and diversity, and surviving the first year of teaching.

Images from the conference:

 

 

Outreach to Teach
Student PSEA members traveled to Reading to learn and engage, but also taking time to give back to the community. Prior to the conference, over 145 student members participated in the annual Outreach to Teach activity. Student members visited local schools near the conference and conducted a lesson plan focusing on the history of the Reading Railroad to first and second graders in the Fleetwood School District. This year’s Outreach to Teach caught the attention of journalists at the Reading Eagle, who wrote about the student’s annual activity. Read the article online.

At the Conference
Chapter advisors attending the conference heard from Terry Barnaby, Bureau Director, School Leadership and Teacher Quality at the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Kimberly Anderson, Organizing Specialist for the NEA Student Program. 

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address given by 2009 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Rebecca Snyder.  Ms. Snyder spoke passionately about the influence that educators have in their students’ lives, and what “the power of a great education” truly means. Ms. Snyder is a member of the Greater Latrobe EA and a former Student PSEA member.

Making it Happen
Student members demonstrated their commitment to the future of their professions with their support of PACE, PSEA’s Political Action Committee for Education. Over $2,100 was raised to support pro-public education candidates for office.

Student PSEA welcomes its newly elected officers: Meghan Draude, Carlow University, was re-elected as Student PSEA president; Alexis Gentile, California University, Vice President; Kerrie Schmidt, Lock Haven University, Secretary; and Courtney Pfriender, Bloomsburg University, PACE Director.  Region presidents and representatives to the PSEA Houses of Delegates also were elected, and nominations received for representatives to the NEA Student Leadership Conference and the NEA-RA.

Learn more about Student PSEA at www.psea.org/students.

Find more photos and information on Student PSEA's Facebook page.