Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 3-9-2026

Inside this issue

• Here’s why PSEA recommends Shapiro/Davis for reelection
• Cultures combine at the PSEA Spring Forward Leadership Conference Heritage Dinner
• March Voice preview: Last bell on phones in school
• Education Defenders in SE Region stand up for school safety
• Member Benefits spotlight: URL life insurance
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning

Click the thumbnail above to watch our video on this endorsement

PSEA backs Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis for their reelection bid in 2026.

Why? Over the past three years, public schools have seen more than $2.1 billion in increased funding, real progress has been made on fixing Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional funding system, and we’ve seen the expansion of student mental health supports; universal free breakfast; and a first-ever student teacher stipend program to strengthen the educator pipeline.

“PSEA is proud to recommend Gov. Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis in the 2026 election,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. “We need their leadership to continue progress toward achieving adequacy in school funding, addressing our students’ nutrition and mental health needs, and building a stronger teacher pipeline in Pennsylvania.”

For PSEA members, it’s about keeping the momentum of the Shapiro administration going and continuing the push for fair funding, stronger supports, and respect for the work you do every day.

At the Spring Forward Leadership Conference last weekend, member leaders united to explore strategies for enhancing our Association and advancing our professions to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. This event underscores the critical importance of promoting educational justice and equips women, Native People, and People of Color with the skills necessary to pursue leadership opportunities in PSEA.

By collaborating and exchanging ideas, participants leave better prepared to support their colleagues and students, making us all stronger and more effective in the work we do.

After a full day of workshops, members gathered at the annual Heritage Dinner to celebrate the many cultures, backgrounds, and stories that make up our Association. As in years past, attendees were encouraged to wear something that represents a piece of their heritage and to walk the runway in a fashion show if they wished. As always, the event was a resounding success, with members enjoying each other’s company and celebrating the different paths that have led us to join together in support of public education and our professions.

Like it or not, we’re all guinea pigs in a global technology experiment decades in the making. And our kids have it the worst. The “smart” device revolution that began in earnest with the release of the first iPhone in 2007 means our current K-12 students have never lived in a disconnected world. Now, everything from our watches to our kitchen appliances conspire to keep us on a perpetual notification loop, feeding hidden algorithms while starving us of the kind of quiet moments that foster reflection and deeper understanding.

That atmosphere of constant distraction is anathema to learning, and it’s wreaking havoc on our kids’ developing brains. Driving everything from drastically shortened attention spans to cyberbullying worries to social media-induced anxiety and depression, every blip, ding, and vibration vying for our kids’ attention has become an alarm bell we can no longer afford to ignore.

PSEA members believe that schools must be safe spaces where students can learn without fear. Immigration enforcement activity across the nation and in Pennsylvania has again brought issues of school safety to the forefront of many of our members’ minds. PSEA members and leaders in the Southeastern Region decided to take action in response to their concern and outrage over what is happening, in particular a lack of district policies and procedures to address immigration enforcement issues.

On Wednesday, March 4, Southeastern Region hosted an Education Defender roundtable event on “School Safety and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” The virtual roundtable event included more than 30 participants, including three key lawmakers: State Sens. Katie Muth (SD 44) and John Kane (SD 9), and State Rep. Heather Boyd (HD 163).

The legislators provided updates on bills currently moving through the Pennsylvania House and Senate involving clearer policies for immigration enforcement in school areas. Members shared their experiences and concerns with the legislators, including uncertainty about how to respond when ICE appears on school grounds, in school buildings, or at bus stops in the absence of established policies and procedures.

One poignant story involved a second grader who was crying on her birthday that her brother had been taken by ICE, and she did not know if her parents would also be taken. Members from districts throughout the region shared stories involving fear, trauma, and concern about what is happening and what will happen next. The intimate roundtable setting ensured our members’ voices were heard by those in a position to do something about it.    

PSEA staff shared sample policies and procedures provided by NEA and suggested more direct ways for members to advocate around these issues with local elected officials.

Click the button below to stay informed about events like these happening in your region, and to sign up to join our Education Defenders program today.

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

• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the Classroom Today: What Is It and What Does It Look Like?
  • March 19, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Authentic Resources in the World Language Classroom
  • March 24, 7-8 p.m.
• Effective Classroom Management for Today’s Teacher: What Does the Research Tell Us Works?
  • April 28, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book discussions

• Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card
  
  • April 14, 7-8 p.m.
• See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers (2024 edition)
  
  • April 22, 7-8 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.