May is a time to give a little extra thanks

Showing appreciation for those who work in education is a year-round affair at PSEA. But for our teachers and nurses, May is an extra special time.

Teacher Appreciation Week and National Nurses Week are the perfect times to do it.

Find PSEA's social media (Facebook, Twitter) to read stories of appreciation and to share your stories of how a teacher or nurse made an impact on you. 

Update on PSEA’s RESPECT initiative

Across Pennsylvania, PSEA members are helping to encourage lawmakers to raise educator salaries and increase the minimum wage.

Part of the RESPECT initiative is about asking members to tell their stories, and many are doing just that.

Check out Dottie Schaffer’s and Cindy Lawn’s stories below. 

Have you seen PSEA's new Center for Professional Learning portal?

Book Discussions

Did you know you can earn Act 48 credit by engaging in our online book discussions? Book discussions are just one of the many ways we make it easy for you to earn Act 48/Chapter 14 credits. 

Webinars

The Center for Professional Learning offers an annual webinar series on a variety of topics as requested by the membership and elicited by current hot topics. The next one is on requirements and best practices for supporting students with allergies and will take place on May 13 from 5-6 p.m.

Online Learning Options

PSEA’s Center for Professional Learning offers multiple online learning options to further your professional development. 

• Micro-credentials provide a way for educators to develop skills and acquire knowledge to improve classroom practice and support student success.
• PSEA’s Professional Learning Exchange offers a wide range of online and in-person courses, eligible for Act 48 and Chapter 14 hours, along with a searchable library of publications on issues related to professional issues, teaching and learning, and education policy that affect educators and education support professionals.

Student PSEA 

More than 6,000 future educators studying at Pennsylvania colleges and universities are members of Student PSEA. As part of the next generation of educators, Student PSEA helps members hit the ground running through professional development workshops, service projects, and more. 

PSEA's Publications Library

PSEA publishes advisories and other publications on issues facing PSEA members, including evaluations, certification, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and other topics.

Most days, the residents of the Conestoga View Nursing & Rehabilitation facility in Lancaster don’t spend much time on the computer, or hanging out with young people. But, now, they’re getting plenty of time to do both, courtesy of the J.P. McCaskey High School Computer Club.

Register now for the Summer Leadership Conference in Gettysburg

Registration for the 2019 PSEA Summer Leadership Conference at Gettysburg College, July 21-26, is now open. New, current, and future PSEA leaders will convene there to learn and fine-tune skills needed to best represent members.

Online registration is now available. More information and conference materials can be found here:

This month’s featured brain break activity: five-finger breath

Spring is a time of rejuvenation and new beginnings. What better way to celebrate the season than with a few deep, calming breaths? Like all good brain breaks, this one works equally well for kids and adults.

The exercise comes courtesy of fourth-grade teacher, yoga instructor, and former Student PSEA president, Lauren Williams. Lauren likes to help her students take a moment to re-center themselves throughout the day by taking a few deep breaths while "tracing" the breaths on their fingers.

Dates to note

May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6-12: National Nurses Week

May 7: National Teacher Day

May 8: National School Nurse Day

May 10-11: Committee Weekend

May 12: Mother's Day

May 15-16: PSEA Board of Directors, Philadelphia

May 17-18: PSEA House of Delegates, Philadelphia

May 18: Armed Forces Day

May 21: Primary Election Day

May 27: Memorial Day

The new plan offers low monthly payments, great frame and contact lenses allowances, and the choice of 12-month or 24-month coverage. Available to all PSEA Members and eligible dependents to age 26. Enrollment open the first of each month. 

• The 12-month plan highlights include a $200 frame allowance or $130 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 $250 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 pseahwf.org/voluntary_vision/ or call the PSEA Health & Welfare Fund - 1-800-944-7732 ext. 7024