Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 5-27-2024

Inside this issue

• William Penn EA teacher honored for athletic achievements on Landsdowne mural
• Status of May 2024 House of Delegates new business items
• Video request: Who is a teacher or ESP who had an impact on you?
• PSEA job opportunity: Staff Attorney
• PSEA job opportunity: Executive Administrative Assistant
• Member Benefits spotlight: Contact Fill contact lenses

Nearly 700 delegates convened in Pittsburgh two weekends ago to conduct the business of the Association at PSEA’s May House of Delegates. Delegates representing locals from across the state got key updates about PSEA’s challenges and priorities and debated 20 new business items.

Below is a brief summary of each NBI. Read the full descriptions here.

New Business Items:

• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 1 – PASSED – Adopt Member Code of Ethics
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 2 – PASSED – Endorse Brian Reiser
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 3 – PASSED – Honor Retiring Staff
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 4 – HELD THEN PASSED – Publish Article on Period Poverty
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 5 – PASSED – Support Legislation for Free Menstruation Products
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 6 – REFERRED TO COMMITTEE – Create Task Force to Develop Alternatives to Current Dues
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 7 – PASSED – Endorse Ann Monaghan for PSERS
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8 – PASSED – Advocate to Address Limitations with 4-8 Certification Band
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 9 – PASSED – Advocate for Preschool Education
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 10 – PASSED – Advocate to Increase Student Attendance
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 11 – PASSED – Create an ESP Bill of Rights
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 12 – PASSED AS MODIFIED – Create a Task Force to Evaluate AI in Education and Offer Recommendations
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 13 – PASSED – Investigate Ways to Increase Participation of ESP-Retired
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 14 – PASSED – Advocate for Standardized Tests in Alternative Languages
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 15 – PASSED AS AMENDED – Advocate for the Commonwealth to Promote Gun Safety
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 16 – PASSED – Advocate for Legislative Change to Act 55 of 2017
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 17 – FAILED – Advocate for Veterans Day as Non-School Day
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 18 – FAILED – Advocate to Amend Public School Employees’ Retirement Code
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 19 – PASSED – Advocate to Protect Librarians from Criminal Charges
• NEW BUSINESS ITEM 20 – PASSED – Advocate for Impartial Process to Fill Vacant School Board Positions

We showed a bunch of videos like the one above at the May House of Delegates. They were such a big hit we’re planning on keeping this campaign going and releasing more videos on our social platforms, digital spots, and other communications channels.

Want to contribute? It’s easy. Here’s what to do:

1. Click the video thumbnail above to view an example of what we’re after.
2. Shoot a similar video on your cell phone.
3. Don’t forget to INTRODUCE YOURSELF (name, job title, school district).
4. Drop the video into our Dropbox folder here.

That’s it! If you need any assistance, email comms@psea.org.

PSEA is seeking a Staff Attorney for our Edinboro office. This position will advise and represent PSEA’s local affiliates and members in employment-related matters, including grievance arbitrations, administrative proceedings before state agencies such as the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board and the Department of Education, and appeals to the state Commonwealth and Supreme Courts.

Applicants should have a minimum of five years’ experience, admission to the Pennsylvania bar, familiarity with labor and/or education law, and some litigation experience. Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills are necessary.

PSEA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. PSEA actively seeks diverse candidates and those with the ability to work on a diverse team with a diverse range of people. 

How to apply and the job description can be found at www.psea.org/jobs

This position will provide administrative support to our senior executive level leaders, including processing expenses, making travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, and communicating with staff and governance leaders. This position requires a detail-oriented problem solver who is committed to public education and union values.

Candidates must have significant experience working in an office setting in an administrative role as well as experience using Microsoft 365. A successful candidate must also demonstrate effective verbal/written communication, organization, and people skills; and be able to handle multiple projects at one time.

Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@psea.org by June 10.

PSEA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. PSEA actively seeks diverse candidates and those with the ability to work on a diverse team with a diverse range of people. 

How to apply and the job description can be found at www.psea.org/jobs

PSEA Member Benefits offers members and their families big savings on brand-name contact lenses through Contact Fill.

Program Benefits:

• Dependable service to your home, school, or office
• Free standard shipping and handling on all orders (use promotion code "PSEA")
• Convenient 24/7 online ordering
• Personable customer service
• No hidden charges
• PSEA members must log in to take advantage of this discount program
• NVA vision insurance accepted as a form of payment