Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 5-11-2026

Inside this issue

• Vote for statewide candidates recommended by PSEA-PACE
• Education Defenders are the Keystone to Democracy
• May House of Delegates wrap-up
• Community rallies for West York Area School District aides
• Member Benefits spotlight: Identity theft protection plans

Pennsylvania’s Primary Election is this Tuesday, May 19, and PSEA members have recommended candidates up and down the ballot through PSEA-PACE (Political Action Committee for Education). Click here to learn about the PACE recommendation process.

Political decisions affect our classrooms, our jobs, our students, and our families. Recent decisions have made our jobs harder because we are expected to do more with fewer resources — we can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. This is our opportunity to use our voices and exercise our right to vote.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19. Find your polling place and more election information at www.psea.org/VOTE.

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis (D) for Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Highlights from the last three years of the Shapiro/Davis administration:

• More than $2.1 billion in new public school funding over three years
• $300 million in student mental health funding enabling nearly 1,000 schools to hire more counselors
• 93 million breakfasts served in Pennsylvania public schools in the 2024-25 school year alone via Universal Free Breakfast program
• Thousands of student teachers now receive stipends and are paid for the work they do through Pennsylvania’s first student teacher stipend program

Click the link below to see who PSEA and NEA members have recommended in high-profile congressional elections.

Amid rising political chaos and the ongoing implementation of Project 2025’s unpopular policy agenda, PSEA members know that real democratic progress happens through everyday conversations, local elections, and collective advocacy. When PSEA members unite, their voices are powerful weights, protecting schools, students, and the future of their profession.

The best way you can get involved in this conversation right now is to sign up to become an Education Defender, PSEA’s latest program to keep members involved and informed in the democratic process.

Click the link below to read the cover story in the May issue of Voice that outlines the challenges we face as educators in this political environment and, more importantly, what we see as the solution.

This past weekend, more than 500 PSEA delegates gathered in Philadelphia for the May House of Delegates to conduct the important business of our Association, vote on New Business Items, receive professional training, and represent their members across the commonwealth.

If this House had a theme, it was “find your why,” with the officers teeing up those in attendance to think about and share their reasons for advocating for public education in our Keystone to Democracy outreach effort. They each shared personal stories that animated their advocacy – some going back to the beginning of their educator journey – and serve as a guiding light in their actions and intentions in their ongoing defense of public education.

Our Celebrating Excellence dinner was held on the evening of May 7, where we awarded the individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to public education in the last year, including outgoing NEA President (and longtime PSEA member) Becky Pringle. We also celebrated the winners of this year’s Innovative Teaching Grants.

We heard inspiring speeches from 2026 National Teacher of the Year Leon Smith as well as 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Madeline Loring.

Eighteen new business items were introduced, with 15 of them approved. You can visit www.psea.org/governance to learn more.

On Tuesday, PSEA members, students, parents, and West York Area community members rallied in support of the 20 full-time aides in the West York Area School District whose positions are being reduced to part-time for the 2026–27 school year. These cuts will have real consequences. Not only will affected employees see a reduction in compensation, but they will lose critical benefits including healthcare coverage. The district’s decision came just six months after officials voted unanimously to spend $18 million on a state-of-the-art turf football stadium.

When districts choose to make cuts that affect the educators and support staff students rely on every day, communities take notice. Those who came out to support this cause sent a clear message that full-time aides are more valuable to the West York School District community than turf fields!

PSEA has partnered with Securus ID Inc. to provide PSEA members and their families access to identity theft plans at a member-only discount of up to 60% (not a trial rate). Month-to-month billing, no contract. Enroll and activate in minutes. 

• Securus ID is powered by Experian
• PSEA member savings of up to 60% (not a trial rate)
• Three plan designs to meet your needs and budget
• Essential – simple and affordable ($3 individual/$5 family per month)
• Comprehensive – full featured, high value ($6 individual/$12 family per month)
• Elite – advanced protection – ($10 individual/$20 family per month)
• Fully managed recovery included in all plans, 100% success rate
• U.S. based service and support

Get protected today!