Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 11-14-2022

Inside this issue

• Hope you had a wonderful American Education Week
• Congratulations to 2022 ESP of the Year Angela Vigna
• Upcoming Center for Professional Learning events and PEARL
• Member Benefits spotlight: Tele-therapy

As we close the books on another American Education Week, I just want to take a moment and thank every one of you on behalf of PSEA for the incredible work you do every day in your schools.

Every day, the doors to our public schools are thrown open to children of all backgrounds, abilities, and incomes. Hardworking teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff work with students to meet their educational goals. And school counselors, nurses, and mental health professionals are there to attend to our students’ mental and emotional health needs.

So, thank you for the work you do with your students, their parents, guardians, and families, as well as elected and community leaders to make Pennsylvania’s public schools among the best in the nation. Our schools couldn’t do all that they do without your support.

Angela Vigna, a paraprofessional and union leader in the Leechburg Area School District in Westmoreland County, is the PSEA 2022 Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year.

Vigna has worked as a para in the Leechburg Area School District for the past 19 years. In this role, she has served as a classroom aide providing academic support to students with special needs. She also serves as the president of the Leechburg Area Education Support Professionals Association. In that role, she has welcomed countless new members to the association, helping them understand their contract and encouraging them in their new roles.

During her tenure, Vigna had the opportunity to work with one particular student from first grade all the way through to graduation.

That student’s mother spoke out in support of recognizing Vigna as the Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year.

“Angela has taught my child an incredible amount of life lessons in their 13 years together,” district parent Elizabeth McCracken wrote in support of Vigna. “She has been such a great influence with her patience, listening ear, guiding ways, and respect for others. She is one in a million, and I’m honored to have had her in our lives.”

PSEA is also honored to count Angela Vigna among our members. Congratulations, Angela!

PEARL

Looking for an easy way to earn Act 48 credits, Chapter 14 verification, or postgraduate credits? As a PSEA member, you have exclusive access to over 95 courses through PEARL.

Here are just three courses you have access to:

• Let's Get Digital: Digital Reading Strategies
• Maximizing Google Classroom
• Understanding Students and Anger

Book Discussions

• Poison for Breakfast
  • Nov. 15, 6-7 p.m.

Member Well-being

• Mindful Mondays
  • Dec. 12, 4:45 p.m.

Enjoy convenient access to therapists and counselors from the comfort of home. Get support for anxiety, depression, stress/PTSD, panic disorder, grief, family and marriage issues, and more. Members, spouses, and any dependents age 18 years up to and including age 25 are covered under one membership. 

Only $23.99 per month for PSEA Members

• Consults are always $0
• No insurance needed
• Designed for educators
• No contracts, cancel anytime
• 30-day money back guarantee