Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 12-15-2025

Inside this issue

• Happy Holidays, PSEA!
• You made 2025 a year to remember!
• Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge returns in January
• LAST CHANCE for 2026 Celebrating Excellence Awards nominations!
• PSEA Podcast: 2025 in review and what lies ahead
• Member Benefits spotlight: Voluntary Vision plan

We hope your holiday break and New Year celebrations are full of hope and good cheer for all you’ve accomplished and for all the promise the new year holds. 

PSEA members are the heart of our public education system. And there’s nothing we enjoy more than to shine a spotlight on all the incredible things you’re doing in your schools day in and day out. Below are just a few of the member stories we shared this past year that we don’t want you to miss. Find more at psea.org/ourstory

And remember, you can share your stories with us anytime. Send an email with a member or program you’d like to highlight to comms@psea.org

Celebrating diversity video with Nancy Butcher-Perez

Nancy Butcher-Perez, a teacher in the Hatboro-Horsham School District, discusses the importance of representation in education through her own experiences as a student and educator.

Podcast with Lisa Lehman and Jenn Mattucci of Club Hope

Lisa Lehman and Jenn Mattucci from the Moon Area School District talk about Club Hope, a student-led grief support group that’s helping kids heal after losing a loved one. They join “Duty Free Lunch” to talk about how their own experiences inspired the club, how students have embraced it, and how educators across Pennsylvania can bring this kind of support to their own schools.

You can also click here to read about their program in Voice.

Voice story with Jennifer Brunetti on her “Lil’ Leopard News” program

Jennifer Brunetti leads “Lil’ Leopard News,” a fifth grader-run daily news broadcast at March Elementary in the Easton Area School District involving the whole school. Read all about this wonderful program in the May 2025 edition of Voice.

Podcast with beloved custodian “Mr. Lenny”

Lenny Robinson has spent 23 years as a custodian in the Wissahickon School District. But to his students and community, he’s so much more. In this episode of “Duty Free Lunch,” we celebrate the 2025 Civil Rights Educational Leader Award winner and hear from the colleagues who helped shine a light on his extraordinary impact.

The Shapiro Administration has announced the launch of the third annual Governor’s School Breakfast Challenge, beginning in January, to boost student participation in Pennsylvania’s Universal Free Breakfast Program. During the 2024-25 school year, 58 schools completed the challenge, expanding access to nutritious breakfasts for students across the commonwealth.

The three-month challenge encourages schools to increase breakfast participation while making sustainable changes, including offering more nutritious and locally sourced foods. Top-performing schools were recognized statewide, and all participating schools will receive banners, certificates, and a breakfast recipe book.

The announcement comes as PDE also awarded $7.1 million to 246 schools through the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and as the administration continues its commitment to universal free breakfast, which helped schools serve 92.9 million breakfasts last year.

Nominations for the 2026 Celebrating Excellence Awards must be in by Dec. 31 at 4:30 p.m. Make your nominations today at the link below.

The Adler Friend of Education award recognizes an individual who has made significant statewide contributions to public education.

The Human and Civil Rights awards are intended to applaud the outstanding work occurring every day in Pennsylvania’s public schools and in our communities.

A selection committee meets each January to review the nominations submitted and select winners in four categories: Student Leader, Educational Leader, Community Leader, and Local Association, along with the Adler Friend of Education Award.

Read more about the awards and nominate someone today at the below link:

As 2025 and a second year of podcasting come to a close, PSEA leaders look back at the year’s highlights while gazing into their 2026 crystal ball. This past year tested our strength and showcased our collective power. From an epic state budget battle that ended with huge wins for public education, to record-setting member activism in a pivotal election, there’s plenty to celebrate.

Listen to this episode

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.