Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 6-2-2025

Inside this issue

• New no-cost pathway to the classroom for aspiring educators
• PSEA Treasurer West advocates for paid family leave at state Capitol
• PSEA job opportunity: Custodian
• Member Benefits spotlight: Save up to 53% on Hersheypark tickets
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning – summer series

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is eliminating a major barrier to teacher certification: cost. Educators can now earn an Intern Certificate at no charge – an alternative to the Emergency Permit process.

This three-year certificate allows qualified individuals to teach while completing their certification requirements, including pedagogy coursework and student teaching in their own classroom – all while getting paid.

Whether you’re an emergency-permitted teacher ready to formalize your credentials, or a career changer with a content degree, this streamlined path gets you into the classroom faster and more affordably.

Previously, Intern Certificates cost $200. That fee is now waived. The result? Lower costs for schools and more support for new teachers.

Explore the Intern Certificate program and FAQs on PDE’s website.

On June 3, PSEA Treasurer Rachael West joined lawmakers and advocates at the state Capitol to support legislation to establish the Family Care Act. House Bill 200 would give Pennsylvanians the time and financial support to care for family members and themselves without risking their livelihood.

"Right now, far too many Pennsylvanians are forced to choose between their families and their paychecks,” West said. “Educators can’t afford to make that choice. No one should have to. House Bill 200 would create a statewide paid family and medical leave program. It would establish a commonsense insurance fund that would make sure no one has to lose their income to do the right thing for their family. As polls show, this is something pretty much everyone wants."

PSEA is seeking a dependable and service-oriented custodian to join our facilities team in Harrisburg. This full-time, in-person position plays a vital role in maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of our downtown office and supporting meeting and event operations.

The regular schedule for this position is Tuesday–Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. (with occasional variation due to special events or meetings). During the summer months (approximately June through the end of August), the schedule shifts to Monday–Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Prior housekeeping or custodial experience is preferred. Strong oral and email communication skills and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. are required.

For a complete posting and job description visit www.psea.org/jobs.

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

Hersheypark has thrills for everyone! Enjoy rides on our 15 iconic coasters, splashes in our expansive water park, and strolls through our 11‑acre zoo with just one admission ticket. Plus, visit us this year to ride the tallest screamin’ swing in the world, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity!

The Boardwalk at Hersheypark

Whether you’re looking to cool down or catch some rays, the Boardwalk at Hersheypark water park has something for everyone — and is included in every ticket! Grab a lounge chair and enjoy the sunshine, relax around the Lazy River, or race down the thrilling water slides. The water park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

GET TICKETS

Twizzlers Twisted Gravity Ride Will Open in Summer 2025 as the World’s Tallest Screamin’ Swing

Manufactured by S&S Worldwide, the high-thrill pendulum attraction will feature:

Maximum height of 137 feet

Maximum speed of 68 miles per hour

Multiple Zero G moments

The all-new Twizzlers-inspired adventure is the newest candy to join the iconic Hersheypark skyline.

Guests will experience never-before-seen views as they swing high above Spring Creek in The Hollow region of Hersheypark.

One of more than 70 rides at Hersheypark, Twizzlers Twisted Gravity will provide gravity-defying thrills and expand upon uniquely Hershey-branded attractions within the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania.

GET TICKETS

PEARL

Visit the new, improved 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

Webinars

• Intro to the 3D Science Standards
  • June 24, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Understanding Autism: Supporting Student Behavior with Compassion and Strategy
  • June 26, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the Classroom Today: What Is It and What Does It Look Like in the Classroom?
  • July 8, 10-11:30 a.m.

Book Discussions

• The Missing Link to Help Them Think: Connecting Executive Function and SEL Skills to Boost Student Achievement
  • July 10, 7-8 p.m.
• Beautiful Child
  • July 17, 7-8 p.m.
• The Body Keeps the Score
  • Aug. 7, 10-11:30 a.m.

Postgraduate Credits

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.