Week of 4-10-2023

Inside this issue

• President Askey testifies on school staff shortage solutions
• PSEA legislative priority: We need more mental health professionals in schools
• PSEA member named 2023 National School Psychologist of the Year
• Upcoming Center for Professional Learning events and PEARL
• Member Benefits spotlight: Voluntary Vision Plan

PSEA President Rich Askey testified before the House Education Committee on Wednesday to outline PSEA’s legislative agenda to address the school staff shortage. President Askey’s testimony happened on the same day a new report showed that Pennsylvania issued the lowest number of teaching certificates ever in 2021-22.

“The commonwealth is not producing enough teachers to meet demand, and, as a result, we do not have enough caring, qualified adults in our school buildings to address the many challenges our students face,” Askey said.

During the hearing, Askey called on lawmakers to raise minimum educator salaries to $60,000 a year and establish a minimum wage of $20 per hour for education support professionals. He called for scholarship and stipend programs for aspiring educators as well as investments in “Grow Your Own” programs to help paraprofessionals and other school support staff earn their teaching credentials. And he made the case for hiring more school nurses, counselors, and other mental health providers as many students struggle with anxiety, depression, and bullying.

Read Rich Askey’s full testimony.

See a detailed breakdown of PSEA’s legislative priorities.

There is no doubt that the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted students. Now more than ever before, students are struggling with anxiety and depression. And they need help to cope.

At the same time, public schools don’t have enough school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals to meet our students’ needs.

PSEA has made it a priority to find ways to pay these important professionals and attract more of them to public education so that our students get the services and supports they need.

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has named Derry Township School District’s Dr. Jason Pedersen as the School Psychologist of the Year. Dr. Pedersen serves as the school psychologist at the Hershey Early Childhood Center and Hershey Middle School.

Dr. Pedersen’s efforts led to the district’s adoption of multitiered systems of support (MTSS) frameworks for both behavior and academics that allow responsive intervention and strategies for ensuring student success. He also developed a comprehensive K-12 curriculum to foster and promote resilience. Pedersen is one of the Derry Township School District SEL Team Leads, and he is a Safe Crisis Management trainer.

His focus on student mental health during the COVID-19 shutdown and his leadership during that time helped the district earn NASP’s inaugural Excellence in School Psychological Services (ESPS) awards in 2020.

“It is both humbling and an honor to be recognized as NASP’s School Psychologist of the Year,” Pedersen said. “As a school psychologist, as with all educators, the work is challenging at times and often goes unrecognized. I didn’t become a school psychologist for the glory, but rather to make a significant, positive impact on students’ life outcomes. As a mental health professional – now perhaps more than ever – our work is critical to student and staff success. This work is not a solo endeavor, and I am lucky to work with amazing educators and proud to support all our students in reaching their fullest potential.”

PEARL

Looking for a convenient and flexible 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 of the courses you have access to:

• Can you Hear Us Now? Using Podcasts to Teach and Entertain
• Incorporating Videos into Your Lessons
• Building Relationships at a Distance

Book Discussions

• Before the Ever After
  • April 18, 6-7 p.m.
• The New Classroom Instruction That Works: The Best Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
  • April 25, 6-7 p.m.

Member Well-being

• Mindful Mondays
  • April 17, 4:45 p.m.

The PSEA Voluntary Vision Plan offers low monthly payments, great frame and contact lenses allowances, exam coverage, fitting fee coverage for contact lenses, and the choice of 12-month or 24-month coverage. The plan is available to all PSEA members and eligible dependents to age 26. Enrollment opens the first of each month.

The 12-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $150 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $12 for single coverage, $24 for two-party, and $35 for family coverage.

The 24-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $175 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $8 for single coverage, $16 for two-party, and $23 for family coverage.

For more information on the vision program please visit https://pseahwf.org/voluntary_vision/ or call the PSEA Health & Welfare Fund at 800-944-7732 ext. 7024.