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Week of 4-20-2026
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Inside this issue
- Congratulations to Leon Smith for winning National Teacher of the Year!
- PSEA member testifies on AI in schools
- Federal student loan functions moving to U.S. Treasury Department
- Remembering March Forth this May Day
- Member Benefits spotlight: TruHearing
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Congratulations to Leon Smith for winning National Teacher of the Year!
Leon Smith, a social studies teacher at Haverford High School in Delaware County, has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year. Smith has spent more than 20 years teaching AP United States History and AP African American Studies and founded an Educators Rising chapter at his school to inspire students to pursue careers in education.
“Leon is an inspiration to his students, his colleagues, and his community," said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. “He is an educator who encourages his students to think critically and follow their dreams. And his work extends beyond his own school, as he works to ensure a more diverse educator workforce for the future. We admire his passion for teaching, his dedication to his students, and his tireless work to foster more inclusive environments.”
This marks the second consecutive year a Pennsylvania educator and PSEA member has earned the national honor. Ashlie Crosson of Mifflin County High School received the award in 2025.
Click here to listen to our podcast with Leon Smith after he won PA Teacher of the Year last year.
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PSEA member testifies on AI in schools
Melissa Costantino-Poruben, a sixth grade math teacher in the Avonworth School District and NEA director for PSEA, testified before the House Education Committee on Tuesday, where she urged lawmakers to take a human-centered approach to AI in education.
Her message: Students are already using AI, and schools must help them use it responsibly while also equipping educators with the tools and training to use it effectively. She highlighted a partnership between the NEA and Microsoft offering 13 micro-credential courses to help educators navigate AI in the classroom.
Costantino-Poruben called on state lawmakers to adopt four key protections: prohibiting AI from replacing educators in instruction or student services, barring AI from employment decisions, preventing AI from making final calls on student assessments, and blocking charter school applications that rely on AI for instruction.
“If we ignore AI, our students will default to using AI to think for them,” she warned.
In May 2024, the PSEA House of Delegates voted to create the Artificial Intelligence Task Force to evaluate the impact of AI on educators, students, the educational system, and society.
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Federal student loan functions moving to U.S. Treasury Department
In March, the Trump administration announced that a portion of the federal student loan portfolio will be transfered from the U.S. Department of Education to the U.S. Treasury Department.
According to the Associated Press, “The Treasury Department will take over management of student loans whose borrowers are in default, meaning they are months behind on payments. Eventually, the Treasury Department is to take responsibility for all student loans, according to the agreement. A second phase with no timeframe says Treasury will ‘assume operational responsibility’ over non-defaulted loans, ‘to the extent practicable.’”
What does this mean for federal student loan borrowers?
At this time, federal student loan borrowers will continue to make payments to their current loan servicer. PSEA President Aaron Chapin reminds PSEA members to keep any documentation they may receive regarding changes from federal loan servicers and to practice caution. If you have questions regarding the status of your federal student loans, please contact your loan servicer directly.
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Remembering March Forth this May Day
On March 4, 1968, more than 20,000 educators marched at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to demonstrate against inaction on salary and subsidy legislation for education. The rally and the continued pressure from PSEA members afterward led to the Public Employees Relations Act of 1970, legislation that would give teachers collective bargaining rights. To this day, "March Forth" remains one of the most important days in PSEA history.
The first May Day was recognized in 1886 in Chicago as part of the movement for an 8-hour work day. While May Day is not officially recognized in the United States, it has continued to be a moment for workers to come together, celebrate labor solidarity, and push for progress.
As May Day 2026 approaches, we take the opportunity to honor the workers who came before us and those whose sacrifices secured the eight-hour workday, safe working conditions, and the right to organize. We hope you can join us.
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Member Benefits spotlight: TruHearing
PSEA members and their families are eligible for discounts on hearing care and benefits through TruHearing. PSEA provides you and your extended family members a hearing program through TruHearing that includes a free annual hearing exam and substantial savings on the top-of-the-line hearing aids and professional care.
Program benefits include:
- FREE enrollment, NO premiums
- Free annual hearing screening for you and your extended family
- Access to a nationwide network of nearly 7,200 hearing locations
- Reduction on the price of most hearing aids offered
- Low price guarantee on all styles of hearing aids from major brands
- No-interest financing available
- Extended warranties available to purchase for current hearing aides
Benefits included with hearing aid purchase include:
- Post-purchase TruHearing provider visits for one year following purchase for fitting and adjusting the hearing aid and educating member on the use of the hearing aid
- 60-day return period
- 3-year warranty for repairs
- 3-year replacement warranty for loss or irreparable damage (manufacturer and reprogramming fees may apply)
- 2-year supply of batteries per hearing aid (not included with purchase of rechargeable hearing aid), and
- Additional TruHearing provider visits at no more than $65 per visit
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400 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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This content is intended for PSEA members and their immediate families.
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