The Jenifer J. DuBois Fabric of Unionism art competition invites PSEA members and their students to submit entries capturing the development of the labor movement, its historical importance and its necessity in the future. 

Fabric of Unionism includes two award categories: one for PSEA members and one for public school students. Prizes for each contest include a grand prize of $1,000, a second prize of $500, and a third prize of $250.

Winners will receive their awards at a special ceremony where winning artwork will be on display.

Fabric of Unionism Flier

• Intent to participate form
• Entry form - Class Project Category
• Entry form - Member Project Category

Rachel Nichols
Mideastern Region
Lower Merion EA

YO! Student Ambassadors Program at Black Rock Middle School

This program provides students with structured opportunities for literacy growth, authentic learning, leadership development, and personal edification through a guided partnership resulting in a free community book festival, beginning with reading student-selected texts created by diverse and award-winning authors and illustrators.

Marla Martin, Alicia Bishop, Megan Malkemes
Northeastern Region
Dallas EA

Chick Hatching

This experience provides students with the opportunity to care for hatching chicks, record daily science observations, write short journal entries, further develop their understanding of procedures and sequence, and collaborate in small groups for feeding and handling. This unique project also provides a fun experience for our students in special education.

Megan Hazelton
Northeastern Region
IU #19 NE EA

Regulated to Learn

Regulated to Learn integrates structured sensory supports into preschool circle and table-top activities to improve self-regulation, attention, and participation. Sensory tools will be paired with instructional routines and monitored through observation and teacher  feedback to increase engagement, access to learning, and readiness for classroom participation.

Candice Ottaviani, Casey DeCeia, Amy Boltz
Eastern Region
Parkland EA

Smart Solutions, Strong Stories: Connecting STEM and Literacy in 6th Grade Reading Classrooms

Students will engage in a six-week STEM and literacy project centered on three texts with similar themes. They will apply the engineering design process to build functional wind turbines from consumable materials, culminating in technical efficiency testing and comparative literary analysis across three required texts.

PSEA promotes excellence in education through the Innovative Teaching Grant program, created to recognize PSEA members for contributions to innovative instruction.

Each year, up to four $1,500 grants are awarded to teachers, librarians, education support professionals, instructional teams, pupil services personnel, and higher education staff. PSEA-Retired and Student PSEA members may submit an application in conjunction with a PSEA EA member. PSEA’s Council on Instruction and Professional Development recommends grant applicants to the PSEA Board of Directors, with grantees recognized at the PSEA Spring House of Delegates held each May.

All applications and supporting materials must be received electronically by Feb. 1 of each year by 5 p.m.

For more information about PSEA's Innovative Teaching Grants, contact Katie Lewis (klewis@psea.org).

Check out the ITG Flyer for more details or apply below. 

Scoring Rubric

The Leadership in Promoting Intergroup Relations Awards Program was created by the PSEA Intergroup Relations Commission (IRC) in 1975 and is administered by a special IRC subcommittee.

The IRC award recognizes individuals and local associations who demonstrate continuous commitment to interweave school and relationships.

Examples of eligible activities:

• Team building
• Association and community partnerships
• Diverse cultures working together

The 2017 award nomination process is now closed. 

Application materials for 2018 awards will be available soon.

The PSEA Local Involvement Grant Program is designed to help local associations or groups of locals conduct activities to strengthen public support and appreciation for the preservation and improvement of local public schools in their communities.

These grants are designed to help local associations (or groups of local associations) conduct activities that involve members in their communities as part of a local association community outreach program. Through the program, PSEA will match local funding at a ratio of $3 for each $1 committed by the local association(s) involved.

For more information about Local Involvement Grants or to request application materials, contact your UniServ representative or Region Advocacy Coordinator (RAC).

The Lucy A. Valero Scholarship Fund, administered by PSEA, provides scholarships to outstanding Pennsylvania college and university students who are enrolled in accredited teacher preparation programs. The fund also provides a scholarship to a high school student who is a member of Educators Rising PA. Applicants must be members in good standing of Student PSEA or Educators Rising PA. Scholarships are presented at the annual Student PSEA Conference & Convention.

Lucy Valero spent 18 years working with PSEA’s student program, building it into one of the strongest in the nation. Her friends and colleagues created the memorial fund to recognize her dedicated service. The scholarship program aims to attract capable new teachers to the profession.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the trustees of the Lucy A. Valero Memorial Scholarship Fund, comprised of PSEA officers and staff, and the president of Student PSEA. 

Applications must be postmarked no later than January 31, 2026. 

• Application for Student PSEA members
• Application for high school seniors
• Application for Special Education Student PSEA members

The PSEA Education Foundation provides financial assistance to PSEA members who are experiencing dire hardship through illness, disability, and/or financial need.

Applications are submitted to the PSEA Retirement & Welfare Committee, which reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the PSEA Education Foundation. 

Grant applications will be considered on a reasonable needs basis. Applicants must be PSEA members. To access grant application materials, you will need your PSEA.org member login and password.

• Guidelines for PSEA Welfare Assistance
• Application for Welfare Grant
• Checklist for processing Welfare Grant Applications