Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 11-17-2025

Inside this issue

• Trump administration signals new threats to U.S. Department of Education
• Ann Monaghan named PSEA Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year
• PSEA Vice President speaks to lawmakers about restricting cellphones in schools
• President Chapin hosts “PA Newsmakers”
• Donate to a worthy cause
• Member Benefits spotlight: Identity theft protection plans

The Trump administration is moving forward with its threat to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This week it announced plans to shift key K-12 responsibilities to other federal agencies, including moving the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education to the Department of Labor. The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education manages Title I funding for millions of disadvantaged students, as well as programs that support teacher training, English learners, charter schools, arts, civics, and more.

PSEA President Aaron Chapin warned that the plan would devastate students and schools in Pennsylvania and across the nation.

“Ensuring a brighter future for our children should be a top priority for any administration,” he said. “Instead, the Trump administration is hacking away at the very protections and services our students need and our educators rely upon to do their jobs. Students and their families will pay dearly if the Department of Education is dismantled.”

According to a September Susquehanna Polling & Research survey, 67 percent of Pennsylvania voters oppose dismantling the department.

This past Wednesday was Education Support Professionals Day, part of American Education Week. It's always a great opportunity to shed light on the critical work our support professionals do in our schools. It's also the day we announce our Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year.

This year, that honor goes to Ann Monaghan, an administrative assistant to the principal of Wallenpaupack Area High School. Prior to her current role, Monaghan served as the district’s registrar, homeless liaison, and attendance officer. She partnered with school officials and community leaders to launch Hawley Forward, a safe place for students to go after school to get help with their homework, play games, or enjoy time with friends.

Monaghan has served 12 years on Hawley Borough Council, advocating to establish a homeless shelter in Wayne and Pike counties, the only two counties in Pennsylvania without one.

Monaghan also serves her colleagues as Wallenpaupack ESP president and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS), a position she has held since Jan. 1, 2022. As a board member, she has made significant contributions to the governance and oversight of PSERS.

PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney testified before the state House Education and Health Committees on Nov. 17 in support of legislation requiring public schools to adopt “bell-to-bell” policies that prohibit students (with limited exceptions) from using their smartphones and other internet-connected mobile devices during the school day.

“Mobile devices disrupt students from learning,” Ney said. “Your average teenager gets 237 texts per day. Think about all those pings and how many they are getting during their seven hours at school while they are supposed to be learning.”

PSEA President Aaron Chapin hosted “Pennsylvania Newsmakers” on Thursday, where he sat down with state Sen. Devlin Robinson to discuss his proposal that would require Pennsylvania school districts to curb student cellphone use from bell to bell. Robinson talked about why he introduced the bill, what he is hearing from parents and educators, and how constant notifications may be hurting learning, focus, and student mental health. He also addresses concerns about emergencies and explains why he believes local districts should shape their own policies.

Later in the show, Canon-McMillan High School teacher Chelsea Geist joined Aaron to showcase her one-of-a-kind Zoo in the Classroom program. She shares how the project lets high school zoology students teach younger learners with live animals, some of which make an appearance on the show. 

Click here to watch the episode now

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