Welcome to "The Source," an e-newsletter exclusively for Student PSEA members. In each issue, you'll receive the latest updates from your association, advice from veteran educators, professional development offerings, and more to support you as an aspiring educator.

Inside this issue

• ICYMI: Demand for student teacher stipend program crushes expectations
• Student PSEA online survey deadline extended to April 19
• Recap of the 2024 Student PSEA Conference and Convention
• 2024-25 Student PSEA state officer team
• Upcoming professional development opportunities
• Member Benefit spotlight: restaurants, travel, shopping, and more

ICYMI: Demand for student teacher stipend program crushes expectations

 

On Wednesday, April 10, Student PSEA members joined PSEA leaders, Gov. Josh Shapiro, Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), other policymakers, and advocates to mark the launch of Pennsylvania’s student teacher stipend program.

 

 

Student PSEA vice president Amber Bloom spoke at the press conference to share how student teacher stipends will help restore the educator pipeline.

“The Student Teacher Support Program is needed now more than ever. We began talking about this idea among our Student PSEA leaders after we heard from so many members struggling with the costs of commuting to and working in student teaching placements. Paying student teachers a modest stipend is a win-win. It is a win for the young people who want to pursue careers in the classroom. And it is a win for Pennsylvania because it removes a significant financial barrier to becoming a teacher at a time when so many school districts are struggling with teacher shortages.”

On Thursday, April 11, at 9 a.m., stipend applications officially opened for 2024-25 student teachers. Two hours after the online applications went live, 3,500 students had already applied. With the $10 million in this year's state budget, PHEAA is able to fund only 750 stipends.

 

The demand for student teacher stipends far exceeds the funding PHEAA currently has to pay for them. Every student teacher in Pennsylvania should get a $10,000 student teacher stipend. PSEA has made securing $75 million for this program one of our top legislative priorities.

 

Your voices, leadership, and advocacy is what convinced lawmakers to create the student teacher stipend program. Your interest in getting student teacher stipends is the best possible argument for what we need to do next: Get $75 million in the FY 2024-25 state budget to pay for them.

 

In the coming weeks and months, we'll be asking you to contact lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro to advocate for more state funding for student teacher stipends.

 

 

Student PSEA online survey deadline extended to April 19

PSEA is gathering data from Student PSEA members to determine what you consider the most important issue in your future job as a K-12 educator. We will use the survey results to advocate for better salaries, living wages, and working conditions for all PSEA members.

If you have already completed the survey, thank you! If you did not get a chance to participate in the survey, there’s still time! We extended the deadline to this Friday, April 19. This is the last opportunity to participate in the survey.

Please check your email for the survey link. You may also look out for a reminder by text message with a link to the survey on Qualtrics. If you do not see a link to the survey in your email or receive a text, please contact us at surveys@psea.org to request one.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this very important survey. We look forward to receiving your feedback.

Recap of the 2024 Student PSEA Conference and Convention

From March 21-23, more than 300 aspiring educators gathered in Lancaster for the 2024 Student PSEA Conference and Convention to connect with fellow members, engage in professional development sessions, participate in learning competitions, elect the 2024-25 officer team, and hear from keynote speaker Elizabeth Raff, 2022 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

As part of the annual Outreach to Teach community service project, attendees made a positive impact by beautifying Hamilton Elementary School in the School District of Lancaster. This year’s beautification projects included painting murals, hanging student artwork, and creating a clean learning environment for Hamilton’s students, staff, and community.

2024-25 Student PSEA state officer team

• President: Riley Artis, Slippery Rock University
• President-elect: Ashton DeMorat, Penn State University
• Vice President: Alexandra Taffera, Marywood University
• Secretary: Erika Christeleit, University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
• PSEA-PACE Chair: Alice Evdokimova, University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Upcoming professional development opportunities

 

Member Benefit spotlight: restaurants, travel, shopping, and more

There are a lot of benefits to being a Student PSEA member, and one of them is that your membership saves you money through ACCESS.

You can find thousands of discounts and saving opportunities on restaurants, hotels, travel, shopping, and more.

Connect with Student PSEA on social media

 www.facebook.com/StudentPSEA

 twitter.com/StudentPSEA

 www.instagram.com/studentpsea

www.psea.org/student

 

The Source provides you with pertinent information, interesting features, and valuable resources on your journey as a Student PSEA member.