Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 9-15-2025

Inside this issue

• Guide to the November judicial elections
• Voice preview: Full STEAM ahead on the Hogwarts Express
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning
• Member Benefits spotlight: URL life insurance

We have critical judicial elections coming up in November that will have a direct impact on everything from education funding to redistricting. Below are PSEA-PACE's recommendations for pro-public education judicial candidates. Keep these names and races in mind when filling out your General Election ballots:

Recommended PA Supreme Court candidates for retention:

• Christine Donohue
  
  
• Kevin Dougherty
  
  
• David Wecht

Recommended PA state court candidates for retention:

• Alice Deubow for PA Superior Court

• Michael Wojcik for PA Commonwealth Court
  
  

Recommended PA state court candidates for election:

• Brandon Neuman for PA Superior Court
• Stella Tsai for PA Commonwealth Court
  
  

Your vote keeps experienced, fair-minded judges on the bench and ensures we elect those who vow to protect public education and the communities that rely on it.

When the doors of Klein Elementary in the Harbor Creek School District swung open one evening this past May, families didn’t just enter a school, they stepped into Hogwarts.

Floating candles lit the halls. Portraits came to life with familiar teachers’ faces. Students clutched Marauder’s Maps as they hurried to Herbology, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts stations. For one night, Klein became a wizarding world, thanks to a group of teachers who decided to turn their shared love of Harry Potter into an evening students and parents would never forget.

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

• Evaluation of New & Early Career Educators
  
  • Sept. 23, 7-8 p.m.
• Ready, Set, Support: Open Chat for Special Educators
  
  • Oct. 2, 7-8 p.m.
• The PSEA AI Task Force Impact Report: Keeping Education Human with Ethical, Practical, and Professional Guidance for AI Use in Pennsylvania Schools Moving Forward
  
  • Oct. 8, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Spooky Stories to Read in the Classroom
  
  • Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m.
• Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally
  
  • Nov. 5, 7-8 p.m.
• Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Students to Engage the World
  
  • Dec. 3, 7-8 p.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.

URL Insurance Group is the life insurance provider for PSEA members and their families. URL understands that life does not stand still, and it shouldn’t take a lifetime to apply for life insurance coverage. It is important to review your life insurance frequently to ensure you are properly covered for your ever-changing needs.

These life events, and more, can alter your life insurance needs and financial situation. It may be time for a life insurance checkup if you have experienced any of the following life events:

• Retirement or approaching retirement
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Change in marital status
• Purchasing a new home or refinancing
• Incurring new debts/student loans
• Taking care of elderly parents
• Never purchased life insurance before

Coverage starts as low as $5,000 and goes up to $1,000,000 and more. For peace of mind, schedule your life insurance checkup.

Call: 717.500.PSEA (7732)

Email: psea@urlinsgroup.com

Website: www.urlinsgroup.com/psea