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Week of 4-6-2026
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Inside this issue
- PSEA opposes USDOE’s plan to reduce educator graduate student loan limits
- Student teacher stipend application opens April 16!
- Happy School Library Month!
- Celebrate workers’ rights on May 1
- Member Benefits spotlight: Boscov’s Travel
- Pearl & Center for Professional Learning
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PSEA opposes USDOE’s plan to reduce educator graduate student loan limits
In March, PSEA submitted official comments to the U.S. Department of Education strongly opposing the department’s plan to exclude advanced education degrees from the highest graduate-level student loan limits. In our comment, PSEA made it clear that the department’s proposed rulemaking is illegal, unfair, and an impediment to encouraging highly qualified educators to stay in the profession.
The U.S. Department of Education’s plan would limit graduate students in education programs to $20,500 in annual federal student loans and up to $100,000 in aggregate, while allowing law school, medical school, and other “professional” graduate students to borrow at higher levels to pursue advanced degrees.
“We can't stand for this, and we won't,” said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. “PSEA is doing everything we can to stop it.”
PSEA will continue to keep you posted as this develops. Click here to read PSEA’s official comments to the U.S. Department of Education.
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Student teacher stipend application opens April 16!
Will you or someone you know be a student teacher in the fall 2026 or spring 2027 semester? The application for the Pennsylvania Student Teacher Support Program opens on Thursday, April 16 at approximately 4 p.m. This is an opportunity to qualify for a $10,000 stipend to pay eligible student teachers for their work, so don’t miss out! PSEA was the lead organization advocating for the legislation that created this program, and it passed in large part because of PSEA member advocacy.
Stipends are first come, first served, so be ready the moment the applications open.
Join PSEA for a student teacher stipend webinar! Student PSEA members who will be student teaching in the 2026-27 school year are invited to attend a webinar on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. to learn how to prepare for submitting a student teacher stipend application. It is important to make yourself fully informed and ready to submit your application on Thursday, April 16.
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Happy School Library Month!
Throughout School Library Month, PSEA joins the American Association of School Librarians in celebrating Pennsylvania’s school librarians, and the essential role strong school libraries play in transforming student learning.
Take a moment this month to express your appreciation for your school librarian!
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Celebrate workers’ rights on May 1
Did you know May 1 (May Day) is International Workers Day, celebrated around the world for nearly 150 years in the movement to expand civil and labor rights for working people? For more than 170 years, PSEA members have worked in education to make a positive impact on young people’s lives. With increasing attempts at the federal level to undermine the labor movement, celebrating those who have and continue to stand up for those hard-won rights is more important now than ever.
This May Day is an opportunity for PSEA members to join the long history of ALL workers across the nation by taking action, standing in solidarity, and helping create the schools, workplaces, and communities that our members, our families, and our neighbors deserve.
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Pearl & Center for Professional Learning
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
- Effective Classroom Management for Today’s Teacher: What Does the Research Tell Us Works?
- Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card
- See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers (2024 edition)
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.
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Member Benefits spotlight: Boscov’s Travel
Since 1974, Boscov’s Travel is your first stop to anywhere in the world. As a PSEA Member Benefits partner, Boscov’s Travel has many perks and benefits just for you when you book your next vacation.
The company's local and knowledgeable travel advisors are ready to help you plan your next dream vacation – whether it be an ocean or river cruise, an all-inclusive resort, a U.S. or international land tour, or your favorite theme park destination.
Benefits of booking with Boscov’s Travel:
- As a PSEA member, receive exclusive discounts that are combinable with the best national offers
- No cost to you for complete vacation package planning services
- Experienced travel advisors with an average of 20+ years in the industry
- 24/7/365 emergency service line while traveling
- Book using your Boscov’s credit card and receive rewards you can use toward future travel, your travel balance or within Boscov’s
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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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