The Pennsylvania State Education Association

To ensure that this newsletter is delivered to your inbox, add noreply@psea.org to your address book

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

PSEA’s key legislative priorities to address the school staffing shortage
Are you ready for the 2023 Conference and Convention?
NEA’s GramAEs Awards
Upcoming Student PSEA conferences and events
Center for Professional Learning’s March and April events
Member Benefit spotlight: restaurants, travel, shopping, and more

PSEA's key legislative priorities to address the school staffing shortage

The school staffing shortage has reached crisis levels in Pennsylvania. And unless something is done, it’s going to get worse. We’ve seen a dramatic decline in the number of college graduates entering the teaching profession in our state. We can fix this by making education more attractive and accessible to young people.

PSEA has proposed a number of solutions to address this pressing issue, which are outlined below. Two of these solutions — creating new scholarship opportunities for aspiring educators and paying student teachers — positively impact Student PSEA members.

At the same time, Gov. Josh Shapiro, who promised on the campaign trail to make public education a priority, has made it clear he’s focused on delivering on that promise.

We could not get this important work done without our members’ advocacy. We recognize the Student PSEA members who introduced a new business item that was passed at the December 2022 House of Delegates asking PSEA to propose stipends for student teachers.

Student PSEA President Jordan Miller shared the importance of a student teaching stipend for aspiring educators in the February issue of Voice. Read what Jordan had to say by clicking the link below.

Learn more.

Are you ready for the 2023 Conference and Convention?

The 2023 Student PSEA Conference and Convention at the Hershey Lodge is approaching fast.

Attendees will:

Hear from inspiring educators changing the lives of their students in 15 breakout session offerings including the 2017, 2018, and 2020 Pennsylvania Teachers of the Year: Mr. Mike Soskil, Ms. Jennifer Wahl, and Mr. Joe Welch, as well as keynote speaker, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.
Help beautify Swatara Middle School as part of the Outreach to Teach service project alongside PA state Rep. Dave Madsen.
Vote on Student PSEA and NEA Aspiring Educator leadership positions.
Demonstrate your commitment to PSEA at the Achieving Professional Excellence Showcase.
Connect with Student PSEA members from other chapters to learn, grow, and make a difference in your Association.

Student PSEA Awards submissions and APEX Showcase submissions must be in by March 20.

Find more conference information by clicking here.

NEA's GramAEs Awards

Do you know a Student PSEA member who is going above and beyond for the Association? NEA offers the opportunity for Student PSEA members and chapters to be recognized for their great work through 10 award categories. For a list of award categories, click here.

Applications must be submitted by April 14. Apply by clicking here.

Upcoming Student PSEA conferences and events

April Virtual Monthly Membership Meeting - April 16, 7 p.m.

Join us on Zoom for the April statewide Monthly Membership meeting to recap the 2023 Student PSEA Conference and Convention, prepare for the 2023-24 school year, meet chapter advisors, and participate in a Q&A session. Registration is required. Register.

2023 Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference, Aspiring Educators Track - July 23-27

Are you prepared for your future as an educator? Join us at Gettysburg College to meet fellow PSEA members, learn essential information about your career in public education, and much more. Applications are being accepted now until May 15. Attendees must be 21 and are responsible for travel expenses to and from Gettysburg. There are a limited number of scholarships available through PSEA to pay for room and board. Apply.

Center for Professional Learning's March and April events

Webinars

NEA Webinar - Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First: Cultivating Healing and Wellbeing in Ourselves
- March 14, 6 p.m.
- March 30, 6 p.m.

Book Discussions

Before the Ever After
- April 18, 6 p.m.
The New Classroom Instruction That Works: The Best Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement
- April 25, 6 p.m.

Member Well-being