Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 12-1-2025

Inside this issue

• More great news about PSEA members doing good
• PSEA members share their thoughts on AI in the classroom
• Get your Celebrating Excellence Award nominations in by the end of the month
• PSEA job opportunity: Legal Administrative Assistant – Edinboro office
• Member Benefits spotlight: URL life insurance
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning

The East Pennsboro Education Association (EPEA), in partnership with staff from PSEA's Headquarters office in Harrisburg, organized a successful community giving effort to support the East Pennsboro Area School District’s Panther Pack program, which provides support to local families.

EPEA members participated in a special “dress down day” on Nov. 13, contributing donations in exchange for wearing casual attire. The effort raised more than $1,500, all of which was donated directly to Panther Pack.

PSEA staff collected non-perishable holiday food items to support the program’s seasonal distribution.

Keep up the great work, PSEA!

Christopher Clayton, PSEA's assistant director of education services, had been hosting workshops on emerging technologies for several years when, in May 2024, PSEA’s annual House of Delegates meeting organized a 20-member strong task force to study AI. The result, published a year later, was the Artificial Intelligence Task Force Impact Report, which outlined recommendations and resources around issues from legal concerns and teacher training to security and academic integrity.

Those guidelines were sorely needed in a commonwealth that, like 21 other states, lacks a formal statewide framework around educational AI.

“In Pennsylvania, local control is a part of that,” Clayton noted, referring to a decentralized public school system. “That makes it incumbent upon 500 school districts to each lay the groundwork for clear policies for staff and for students. And that means we’re going to have 500 different places that we’re at across the state.”

Click below to read the recent “City & State” article on AI in the classroom featuring several PSEA member voices.

Nominations for the 2026 Celebrating Excellence Awards must be in by Dec. 31 at 4:30 p.m. Make your nominations at the link below.

The Adler Friend of Education award recognizes an individual who has made significant statewide contributions to public education.

The Human and Civil Rights awards are intended to applaud the outstanding work occurring every day in Pennsylvania’s public schools and in our communities.

A selection committee meets each January to review the nominations submitted and select winners in four categories: Student Leader, Educational Leader, Community Leader, and Local Association, along with the Adler Friend of Education Award.

Read more about the awards and nominate someone today at the link below:

PSEA is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Legal Administrative Assistant to support the Legal Division in our Edinboro office. This full-time, in-person role primarily provides administrative support to the staff attorney and involves a variety of responsibilities, including drafting legal documents, managing calendars and deadlines, preparing legal pleadings, and maintaining case files.

Ideal candidates will have strong legal administrative experience, excellent organizational and communication skills, and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong grammar and writing skills are essential. Experience with legal procedures and union or public education settings is preferred.

To view the full job posting and description, visit www.psea.org/jobs. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@psea.org by Dec. 21.

PSEA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and actively seeks diverse applicants and those committed to working with a broad range of people.

Life insurance provides a vital safety net, ensuring that your loved ones can maintain their standard of living and cover essential expenses even if you are no longer there to provide for them. The benefits extend far beyond a simple payout:

• Covering Essential Expenses: The death benefit, which is typically income-tax free, can help your family pay for everyday living costs, from groceries and utilities to mortgage or rent payments, even final expenses.
• Living Benefits: Policies with living benefits can provide access to funds if you are diagnosed with a critical, chronic, or terminal illness. These living benefits can help cover costs associated with long-term care, home health care, heart attack, stroke, cancer, and more. 
• Securing Future Goals: Life insurance can help ensure long-term goals are met, such as funding a child’s college education or a spouse's retirement.
• Paying Off Debts: It can eliminate outstanding debts like student loans, car payments, and credit card balances, preventing the burden from falling on your beneficiaries.
• Peace of Mind: Perhaps the greatest benefit is the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family will be financially secure, no matter what happens.

URL Insurance would be happy to discuss your specific needs and help you find a policy that fits within your budget. Securing your family's future can be more affordable and straightforward than you might think.

Ask questions, get a quote for you and your family, and get complimentary life insurance reviews:

• 717-500-7732
• psea@urlinsgroup.com

Research:

• www.urlinsgroup.com/psea

Do it yourself:

• Get a Term Quote and Apply for coverage here

PEARL

Visit PEARL today and choose from more than 95 asynchronous courses available for Act 48 credit and Chapter 14 verification.

You can find multiple courses that interest you in any of these tracks: 

• Book Studies
• Educational Equity
• Pedagogy
• Policy
• Pupil Services
• Special Populations
• Technology in Education
• SEL & Wellness

Webinars

• Collaborating, Communicating, and Connecting to Build Strong School Teams
  • Dec. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.

Postgraduate Credits

Earn postgraduate credits from PennWest University for $70 each!

More than 150 postgraduate credits are available across a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

These postgraduate credits (micro-credentials) can count toward the 24 credits required for a Level II certificate and also may count toward salary advancement.*

For support professionals, these courses may meet Chapter 14 requirements.**

*Check your contract to determine if you can apply standalone postgraduate credits for column movement.
**Seek approval from your employer prior to completing hours to apply toward Chapter 14 requirements.