Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 7-21-2025

Inside this issue

• $5 billion in federal public ed. funding unfrozen
• PSEA Podcast: Fourth-generation PSEA member follows 100 years of family teaching legacy
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning – summer series
• Member Benefits spotlight: Voluntary Vision plan

On Friday, Trump administration officials announced they will allow $5 billion in federal public education funding that the administration froze last month to flow to the states. 

Pennsylvania public schools stood to lose $230 million in federal funding due to the freeze.

“This is a very positive development,” PSEA president Aaron Chapin said. “There was no reason for the Trump administration to hold up this funding in the first place. And we’re relieved that public schools will now get the federal funds they are entitled to.”

Pennsbury elementary school teacher Jenn Fumanti sits down with Aaron and Jeff to share the remarkable story of her family’s five-generation commitment to teaching in Pennsylvania. From coal stoves to Chromebooks, hear how public education shaped her legacy, and why she’s proud to carry the torch today.

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

• Your AI Assistant: Using AI in Planning & Preparation
  • July 29, 10-11.30 a.m.
• Educator Evaluation: Navigating the Policy
  • July 31, 7-8 p.m.
• AI in Education Today: Moving Forward After All the Hype Settles
  • Aug. 5, 10-11:30 a.m.

Book Discussions

• 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.

The PSEA Voluntary Vision Plan offers low monthly payments, great frame and contact lenses allowances, exam coverage, fitting fee coverage for contact lenses, and the choice of 12-month or 24-month coverage. The plan is available to all PSEA members and eligible dependents to age 26. Enrollment opens the first of each month.

The 12-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $200 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $12 for single coverage, $24 for two-party, and $35 for family coverage.

The 24-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $175 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $8 for single coverage, $16 for two-party, and $23 for family coverage.

For more information on the vision program please visit https://pseahwf.org/voluntary_vision/ or call the PSEA Health & Welfare Fund at 800-944-7732 ext. 7024.