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ESPs rally for living wage at ESP Lobby Day

More than 100 school support professionals rallied at the Pennsylvania Capitol on March 25, calling on lawmakers to pass House Bill 777, which would guarantee a living wage of at least $20 per hour for our bus drivers, custodians and maintenance staff, secretaries, IT professionals, cafeteria workers, personal care aides, and paraprofessionals.

The bill would provide raises for nearly 41,500 support staff, averaging an increase of $2.90 per hour.

Lawmakers, including Reps. Dan Miller and Jim Prokopiak, HB 777’s prime co-sponsors, as well as Sen. Vincent Hughes, voiced their support from the lectern.

Gov. Shapiro Proposes Education Increases in FY 2025-26 Budget

Governor Shapiro's proposed budget includes funding increases for basic education, special education, and the state’s student teacher stipend program, among other initiatives, and ensures that Pennsylvania stays on track to fix the state’s unconstitutional school funding system.

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Salary Center - Interactive Maps

Find data and interactive maps with information about starting and average salaries for EA members (teachers, counselors, school nurses, social workers, and psychologists) and starting and average wages for ESP members (paraprofessionals, secretaries and clerical staff, health support staff, food service, maintenance personnel, bus drivers, custodial staff, and IT staff).

Stay Connected

Keeping Connected is an e-newsletter for PSEA members to stay informed. In each issue, you'll receive the latest legislative and policy updates from your association, helpful links, and inspiring stories of educators going above and beyond to make the best of an extraordinarily difficult time.

PSEA is a community of education professionals who make a difference in the lives of students every day. Hear their stories and more in each issue of The VOICE. 

Pennsylvanians oppose dismantling of U.S. Department of Education

A new poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research (SP&R) found that Pennsylvania voters oppose the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education by a 58:39 margin.

Voters also overwhelmingly oppose reductions in federal funding for critical education programs including supports for students with special needs, free and reduced-price lunches in schools, and Title I programs for economically disadvantaged students in rural, urban, and suburban school districts. Large majorities want federal funding for these programs to increase or stay the same.

“This poll confirms what we have been hearing from Pennsylvania educators, support staff, and the students and families they serve,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin.

“Pennsylvanians want their elected leaders to invest in students from all backgrounds – in rural, urban, and suburban communities. They do not want to see the department that distributes and oversees billions in federal school funding be dismantled and tossed aside.”

ESPs rally for living wage at ESP Lobby Day

More than 100 school support professionals rallied at the Pennsylvania Capitol on March 25, calling on lawmakers to pass House Bill 777, which would guarantee a living wage of at least $20 per hour for our bus drivers, custodians and maintenance staff, secretaries, IT professionals, cafeteria workers, personal care aides, and paraprofessionals.

The bill would provide raises for nearly 41,500 support staff, averaging an increase of $2.90 per hour.

Lawmakers, including Reps. Dan Miller and Jim Prokopiak, HB 777’s prime co-sponsors, as well as Sen. Vincent Hughes, voiced their support from the lectern.

Other speakers included PSEA President Aaron Chapin, ESP President Rudy Burruss, Pennsbury ESPA paraprofessional Katie Long, and PSEA’s 2024-25 Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year, Becky Marszalek.

PSEA President Aaron Chapin called support staff “the unsung heroes of our public schools” and emphasized the broad public backing for a living wage.

 “It will make a world of difference for many of these folks here today, and many, many others hard at work right now in our public schools,” Chapin said. “Let’s get this done.”

At least $50 million in state funding needed to meet incredible demand for student teacher stipends

In less than 24 hours, 3,062 aspiring educators have submitted applications to the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) for student teacher stipends in the 2025-26 school year. The application window for the next school year opened at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

With such an incredible demand for the program, PSEA renewed its call for a state investment of at least $50 million for student teacher stipends in the FY 2025-26 budget.

PSEA President Aaron Chapin issued the following statement:

“We appreciate the enthusiastic support of Gov. Josh Shapiro and a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who came together to make student teacher stipends a reality. PHEAA has done a remarkable job getting the program up and running, working in partnership with colleges and universities and the schools hosting our student teachers. They know what PSEA has been saying all along: This program can change lives.

“Seeing the incredible number of stipend applications submitted this week, we call on our elected leaders to fund student teacher stipends with at least $50 million in the next state budget, so that every eligible student teacher can count on a stipend as they gain incredibly important classroom experience.”

The Pennsylvania Student Teacher Support Program, administered through PHEAA, provides $10,000 to eligible student teachers to support them during their full-time student teacher experience. Stipends are first come, first served. 

Detailed step-by-step instructions on navigating the application process can be found here:

NAVIGATING THE STUDENT TEACHER STIPEND APPLICATION

PSEA president outlines strategies to make teacher certification system more efficient and fairer

In testimony before the Pennsylvania House Education Committee, PSEA President Aaron Chapin called for reforms to the state’s teacher certification system that would reduce the costs for new teachers, better align certifications with the roles and demands of actual school professionals, and address certification grade spans.

Reducing costs

Chapin voiced appreciation to the committee for its bipartisan efforts to address crisis-level educator shortages, including the creation of a new program that provides $10,000 stipends to student teachers.

“This committee deserves tremendous credit for prioritizing and leading the effort to establish the Student Teacher Support Program,” Chapin said.

Improving efficiency and fairness

Chapin also urged the committee to rethink instructional grade spans in existing certification categories.

Ensuring high-quality preparation

Chapin emphasized in his testimony that, above all, it is essential that lawmakers continue to ensure high-quality preparation for public school teachers.

📺 PSEA President Aaron Chapin sits in as guest host of PA Newsmakers

Rep. Pete Schweyer, chairman of the House Education Committee, joined Aaron to offer his perspective on school funding in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed FY 2025-26 budget and to highlight some education policy issues on the horizon in Harrisburg.

Student PSEA President Riley Artis and Student PSEA Southern Region President Torrence Brown also sat down to talk about what it’s like being student teachers and why it is so essential that the state fully fund student teacher stipends in the next budget.

 

Western Pa. paraprofessional is finalist for NEA ESP of the Year

Becky Marszalek, a PSEA member and instructional paraprofessional at Avonworth Elementary School in Pittsburgh, is one of five finalists for the National Education Association’s (NEA) Education Support Professional of the Year, the NEA announced today.

She and her four co-finalists were selected among 40 nominees nationwide. In November, Marszalek was selected as the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s 2024-25 Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year.

“It is an incredible honor to be one of five finalists in the country for the NEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award,” Marszalek said. “I am so proud to be in the company of such remarkable and hardworking support professionals who make a difference in the lives of so many students every day.”

PA'ians want U.S. to strengthen public schools, not gut them, PSEA president says ahead of Secretary of Education confirmation hearing

PSEA President Aaron Chapin warned against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a move that would put students in low-income communities at risk and jeopardize special education services for students with disabilities.

“It is up to our U.S. senators and House members to be a voice for the most vulnerable students in Pennsylvania and across the nation. They must understand that dismantling the Department of Education is equal to gutting public education in this nation. We call on our senators and House members to take decisive action to protect public education and the students and families who count on federal support for their public schools every day.”

Pennsylvania received about $1.6 billion in federal education funding from the U.S. Department of Education in the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to a PSEA review of the federal budget. The lion’s share of that funding supports the most vulnerable students.

PSEA Member Melanie Williams Highlighted in Gov. Shapiro's Proposed Budget Address

Student teacher stipends have been life-changing for more than 2,000 aspiring educators across Pennsylvania, including Melanie Williams, an education major at the University of Indiana of Pennsylvania and a Student PSEA member. Williams recently completed her student teaching in the Centennial School District in Bucks County and was a guest in the state House chamber for Gov. Shapiro’s budget address today.

“As a mother of two, I was so relieved to learn that I had received a student teacher stipend,” Williams said. “It is virtually impossible to work a full-time job as a student teacher and support my family. The only reason I decided to do my student teaching last fall was because this program was available. 

“Without a student teacher stipend, I don’t know how I would have been able to gas up my car, put food on the table for my kids, and get the classroom experience I needed to complete my certification. It was exciting to hear Gov. Shapiro talk about the stipend program during his budget address and call for a substantial funding increase. This program has been truly life-changing for me, and I hope it continues to support people like me in the future.”

PSEA commends Shapiro administration's rejection of cyber charter school that would have replaced teachers with AI

PSEA President Aaron Chapin commended Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Department of Education for denying a cyber charter school application that would have replaced human teachers with AI to provide direct instruction to students.

In its cyber charter application, Unbound Academic Institute proposed using an AI program developed by contractor 2 Hour Learning to provide students with only two hours of instruction daily on core subjects such as math and reading. The rejected application proposed using a limited number of human employees, known as “guides,” to provide additional support but not direct instruction.

“We commend the Department of Education for standing up for Pennsylvania students who deserve a quality education that meets Pennsylvania’s academic standards,” Chapin added.

UPDATE: PSEA calls on elected leaders to fully fund student teacher stipends

The new Student Teacher Support Program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), has been extremely successful so far. But we have more to do to satisfy demand.

PHEAA received more than 4,000 applications for student teacher stipends in the 2024-25 school year, but just over 2,100 student teachers are funded to receive one. 

“PHEAA has done a remarkable job getting the program up and running, working in partnership with colleges and universities and the schools hosting our student teachers,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin.

“They know what PSEA has been saying all along: This program can change lives. As we look ahead to the second year of the program, we call on our elected leaders to fund student teacher stipends at least $50 million in the FY 2025-26 budget.”

Student PSEA Central Region president and Penn State University student Kaylin Shewmake was one of the fortunate aspiring educators to receive a stipend for her fall 2024 student teaching placement.

“I knew that student teaching full time was such a huge time commitment. I didn’t know how I was going to be able to fit in all that goes into student teaching — the lesson planning, prep work, and commuting back and forth — with a part-time job and all of the things that I love to do at college. It was a really massive weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Kaylin recently joined the PSEA officers on a “Duty Free Lunch” podcast episode to share her experience applying for and receiving the stipend and talks about program improvements she hopes to see in the future.

Los Angeles Wildfire Relief

The Los Angeles wildfires continue to impact thousands of educators and Southern Californians.
 
To help our union brothers and sisters in need, please visit the California Teacher Association's Los Angeles Wildfire Relief and Disaster Relief Funds at cta.org/LAwildfires.

ESP of the Year Becky Marszalek joins PSEA Treasurer Rachael West on PA Newsmakers

[Segment begins at 12:30 mark]

PSEA Education Support Professional of the Year Becky Marszalek and PSEA Treasurer Rachael West talk with Gene about the importance of education support professionals and the staff shortages our schools face.

2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year - Leon Smith

“PSEA congratulates Leon Smith on being named Pennsylvania’s 2025 Teacher of the Year,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. “Mr. Smith demonstrates a commitment to his students, his colleagues, and his community that goes beyond his important work in the classroom to include his advocacy for strong public schools and a more diverse educator workforce. We admire his passion for teaching, his commitment to his students, and his tireless work to foster more inclusive environments.

“PSEA also congratulates the other 11 finalists for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. It is a tremendous honor to be selected among 660 nominees, and they should be proud to be in such impressive company.”

As Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year, Smith will meet and collaborate with other educators and represent the commonwealth in the National Teacher of the Year competition next year.

Fundamental Facts: Pennsylvania Public Education

One of PSEA’s priorities is providing up-to-date facts and information about Pennsylvania’s public schools all in one place to help you better understand. 

Things like ... 

  • How many public schools, students, and staff Pennsylvania has,
  • What educators and support professionals get paid,
  • How public schools are funded, and
  • How public schools are performing academically.

Public retirees demand long overdue pension adjustments

Nearly 70,000 state and public school retirees are facing dire financial struggles after waiting more than 20 years for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to their pensions. Public-sector advocates and lawmakers gathered at the state Capitol on Wednesday to urge the Legislature to pass a COLA for these retired public servants, many of whom retired before Act 9 of 2001 and have seen no pension increases since then.

Speakers highlighted the severe financial challenges retirees face. Like PSEA-Retired member Robert McVay, who retired from the Franklin Area School District in 1998 and was forced to sell his home to stay afloat. Legislation has already passed the House to provide much-needed pension adjustments, but it remains stalled in the state Senate.

PSEA President Aaron Chapin, who was joined at the press conference by pro-COLA legislators Sen. Vincent Hughes, Sen. Katie Muth, and Rep. Steve Malagari, had a sharp message for the Senate holdouts.

“We are fortunate to have some very supportive lawmakers here with us today who want to do the right thing and provide a long overdue COLA to our pre-Act 9 retirees,” Chapin said. “But there are other lawmakers in this building who don’t want to do the right thing. What do you say we set their salaries back to 2001 levels? How would they like that? Not very much, I’d bet. Not very much at all.  But that is what they are doing to thousands of retired public servants through their inaction.”

Recording studio amplifies students’ talents

"The studio is pulling students out of their shell a little bit. There is still a lot of challenging content to learn, but it’s been fantastic."

New to Alex Goodman’s music classroom at Elizabeth R. Martin School is a professional recording studio equipped with state-of-the-art recording software and engineering equipment. It’s one of five studios installed in the School District of Lancaster’s middle schools through a partnership with Creative Hope Studios, an organization that provides studios in public schools across the United States to inspire at-risk youth through creative arts programs. 

Ed Rising on the Rise

PSEA is proud to be the coordinator for Educators Rising in Pennsylvania because it will be an important part of the Association’s efforts to address the school staff shortage crisis.

Educators Rising offers classroom-ready curriculum, training, and support that help high school students begin their journey to becoming future educators. Teacher leaders who bring an Educators Rising chapter to their school district will create new opportunities for more talented young people to enter the education profession.

PSEA Salary Center

One of the best ways to address Pennsylvania’s crisis-level school staff shortage is to increase salaries and wages for staff so that caring, qualified adults know that they can make a family-sustaining living in public education.  

Check out PSEA's new salary center for details about starting and average salaries for educators and minimum and maximum wages for support professionals.

Welcome to PEARL

The PSEA Center for Professional Learning relaunched the PEARL online learning system in Sept. 2023 with many updates and improvements. We are excited to invite you to dive into a refreshed learning experience on a new and improved PEARL!

Featured updates to PEARL are described on our brand new PEARL Updates Page where you can learn about the latest improvements including:

  • Login using your PSEA.org credentials: PSEA members have instant access to PEARL with just their PSEA.org username and password.
  • Personalized Dashboard: Access all your courses, certificates, badges, and other information in a single space.
  • Updated, Mobile-Friendly Interface: This modernized look and feel enhances your experience on any device.
  • Simplified Navigation: The navigation bar is available from every page and connects you to all you need.
  • Enhanced Support: Easily get help with improved FAQs, clarifying help videos, and a direct connection to tech support using the integrated form.

You’ll see several other enhancements when you dive into learning on PEARL.

We understand that change can be confusing. That’s why we also improved our member support with an updated FAQ Page and a showcase of videos showing you all the steps you need to make the most of PEARL.

Some of the videos to get you started are linked below:

Members in the news

NBC Nightly News: Despite healthy economy, many Americans worry about retirement

PSEA-Retired member Jacqualyn James spent more than 30 years teaching American history and psychology in Stroudsburg Area public schools, and retired in 1998.
 
She's just one of nearly 43,000 retired educators and support professionals who haven’t seen a COLA in 20 years. These dedicated people spent their careers in PA’s schools and classrooms.
 
On average, they are 83 years old, and their pensions are less than $20,000.

Nearly 70K Pa. school, government retirees have had no COLA increase in 21 years

"Scott Brown is among the 69,000 retired state government and school employees who have not seen an increase in their pension income in 21 years."
"Some of them now in their 80s and 90s live on pensions of less than $20,000 a year. With prices of food, medicine and housing having risen in the double-digits since then, they are pleading with state lawmakers for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)."
 
“I taught several generations of students,” said 84-year-old Brown, who taught in Montgomery County’s Colonial School District for 39 years."
 
“Now I’m left holding the bag because those efforts are not recognized as deserving a COLA increase.”

Jermaine Bailey and 'Grow Your Own' program

'Grow Your Own' Program May Solve Teacher Shortage

Jermaine Bailey, the first graduate of the Grow Your Own program in York, has worked as a paraprofessional in the York City School District, earning his degree and teaching certificate. He said his experience was wonderful and even more special because his oldest daughter, ShaWanna, also joined him in the program to become a certified teacher.

Bailey acknowledged cost is a barrier for some people who want to teach, but he added with the help of York School District superintendent Andrea Berry, he and his daughter were able to keep their paraprofessional positions, receive their salaries, and continue to do student teaching within their school building while attending the program.

Read the full Public News Service story

A passion for teaching runs in the family for this father-daughter pair

York City schools has found a unique way to address the educator shortage — through the “Grow Your Own” teacher preparation program that offers support to help locals earn their degrees and teaching certificates.

Jermaine Bailey, the program’s first graduate, previously worked as a paraprofessional in the district. The 48-year-old and his 27-year-old daughter, ShaWanna, both attended the district’s schools before going to York College to earn their degrees.

Read the full York Dispatch story

Member and Central York SD English Teacher Patricia Jackson published in Star Wars Anthology

Central York School District English teacher Patricia Jackson is one of 40 writers featured in a book commemorating the 40th anniversary of “Return of the Jedi,” which debuted May 25, 1983.
 
Her task was simple: watch “Return of the Jedi,” choose a no-name character with no backstory, and tell that character’s story from their point of view.
 
The anthology is called “From A Certain Point of View” and hit shelves Aug. 29.
 
For her story, Jackson chose the Scout Trooper who knocked Luke Skywalker off his speeder bike during the Endor chase scene. The rest came easily to her.

From ‘crisis’ to ‘catastrophe,’ schools scramble once again to find teachers

In our Locals

Teacher seeks to climb the highest trees in PA

California Area School District adds therapy dogs to growing animal support program

Culinary students sharpen their ice sculpting skills

Find moments that spark joy

Garrettford Youth Court is now in session

ESP saves the life of a choking student

Altoona phys ed duo brings positivity to TikTok

Commitment to teaching Holocaust truth

Student art project makes a powerful impact

Seneca Valley’s No Cost to Shop store

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