On April 8 and 9, over 150 aspiring educators gathered at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center to learn, connect, and garner inspiration at the 2022 Student PSEA Conference and Convention in person for the first time in three years.

Attendees were inspired by keynote speaker and Second Lady of Pennsylvania, Ms. Gisele Fetterman, and learned from a multitude of outstanding educators in professional learning breakout sessions, including three Pennsylvania Teachers of the Year; Michael Soskil (2017), Jennifer Wahl (2018), and Joseph Welch (2020).

Attendees heard from:

• Eric Bieniek, professor at Slippery Rock University
• Ms. Krishawna Goins, previous Student PSEA member and current first-grade teacher
• Ms. Ciminy St. Clair, Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education vice president
• Student PSEA alumni panel consisting of four current Pennsylvania early career educators: Bryan Edwards, Desiree Brown, Julie Bernatowicz, and Jen Stevenson

Additional sessions were led by Dr. Christopher Clayton, PSEA’s director of Education Services.

PSEA President Rich Askey, PSEA Northwestern Region President Tracey Hart, PSEA Northwestern Region Vice President Jan Pearson, and PSEA Northwestern Region retiree and legend Sam Talarico attended to support and share their time, experience, and wisdom. Ms. Cameo Kendrick, NEA’s Aspiring Educator Program chair, shared her passion and story on aspiring educators finding their voice.

In addition to gaining knowledge, Student PSEA members made a difference for McKinley Elementary School in downtown Erie by beautifying and improving buildings as part of the Outreach to Teach school transformation service project.

Over $2,000 in grants was procured and used to purchase supplies and materials. The buildings hallways, library, stairways, auditorium, and more were painted and beautified to show the students, staff, and community of McKinley that we care, love, and support them.

Rounding out the conference, over 75 state, regional, and national elections were held, as well as the regional and state Student PSEA House of Delegates. Almost $2,000 was donated to PACE.

Thirteen nominations were submitted for members to attend the 2022 NEA Aspiring Educators Conference and Representative Assembly hosted in Chicago this year. The APEX, Underclassmen, Faculty Advisor, Chapter Growth, and Servant Leadership Awards were granted to worthy locals and members.

Congratulations to our newly elected 2022-23 Student PSEA Executive Board!

State Officers

• President: Jordan Miller, Mansfield University
• President-elect: Emily Gill, University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
• Vice President: Brennen Marsh, University of Pittsburgh
• Secretary: Amber Bloom, University of Pittsburgh
• PACE: Marina Lagatutta, University of Pittsburgh

Region Presidents

• Central: Emma Wolf, Penn State University-University Park
• Central-Western: Jessica Vognetz, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Midwestern: Samantha Mooney, Slippery Rock University
• Northeastern: Dinangeli Diaz, Bloomsburg University
• Northwestern: Erin Gruber, Edinboro University
• Southern: Sarah Ginn, York College of Pennsylvania
• Southeastern: Samantha Miller, West Chester University
• Southwestern: Sophia Worner, University of Pittsburgh

The semester is almost over, but you still have time to serve as a substitute for the 2021-22 school year. You must have completed a minimum of 60 credits or equivalent and be enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or university teacher preparation program. You will be able to substitute teach for up to 10 days for a single employee and for a maximum of 20 days per school year in total.

Starting your education career or simply looking for guidance from people in the profession? NEA’s School Me podcast brings you advice from experienced educators about classroom management tips, lesson plan ideas, and inspiring stories to help strengthen your career.

As a PSEA member, you have exclusive access to PEARL, our online learning system with no schedules, no due dates, and no nonsense.  

Here are just a few courses you have access to:

• Time Management and Organization for Online Learning
• Best Practices for Effective Distance Learning and Instruction with Introduction to Nearpod
• Social and Emotional Learning is for Us, Too!