2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention
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2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention

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2026 Student PSEA State Conference and Convention - March 27-28, 2026 - Penn Stater Hotel, State College

Conference attendees will have opportunities for professional development, compete for individual and chapter awards, run for state or region office positions, and network with fellow aspiring educators and current educators, including the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Madeline Loring.

View the conference agenda.

Important Registration Information 

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited to 350 slots available.

The registration fee is $0 for Student PSEA members, however, EACH person attending MUST REGISTER and SELECT their breakout sessions, t-shirt size, and provide any dietary restrictions. Registration includes meals, materials, and the conference t-shirt. Meals provided include dinner on Friday and breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

The number of participants attending the conference is unlimited. The number of voting delegates for the convention (business meeting) is determined by chapter size. All participants must be Student PSEA members to attend the Conference and Convention.

Attire

Conference attire for both days is business/business casual. Please dress as you would on a day as a student teacher at your school. Dress jeans or comfortable slacks are appropriate—no sweatpants or yoga pants.

Hotel Accommodations at the Penn Stater in State College

Each attendee is responsible for arranging their own hotel accommodations by Feb. 25, 2026 to get the discounted PSEA room block rate of $149 plus tax per room per night. Do not delay booking a room; all unreserved rooms will be released to the public for sale after this date. Credit cards are charged a one-night advance deposit, including tax, at the time of booking.

To make reservations online:
1. Go to www.thepennstaterhotel.com and select the tab at the top of the page, "Book Now".
2. Choose your arrival and departure dates.
3. Select the tab "Special Code" and select "Group Attendee Code" and enter the group block code: PSEA26A.
5. Guests can now choose the room type they want and complete the reservation.
 
To make reservations by phone:
Call 1-814-863-5000 and request a room block for the PSEA 2026 Student Conference and Convention referencing code: PSEA26A.
 
For questions, contact students@psea.org.

Achieving Professional Excellence (APEX)

The APEX Showcase (Achieving Professional Excellence) is an opportunity for Student PSEA chapters to demonstrate their level of commitment to Student PSEA and its mission in the areas of:

  • Community Service
  • Leadership and Membership Development
  • Political Awareness, Action, and Advocacy
  • Professional Development

All online APEX submissions must be submitted to students@psea.org by March 23, 2026. Please include the university name in the subject line (Ex: Clarion University APEX Submission).

2026 Student Conference and Convention APEX Flyer

Interactive Learning Project (ILP) Competition

The ILP is a competition where applicants design and create an interactive learning project for a targeted group of students. Projects should be student-centered and demonstrate a need for students to engage in hands-on learning in a specific content area(s).

Individual (one participant) and chapter (two or more participants working as a group). Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries in each ILP category. 

Entry forms must be postmarked by March 23, 2026 to be considered eligible for competition. All applicants submitting an entry form by this date will guarantee a reserved table to set up their ILP. 

2026 Student Conference and Convention ILP Flyer

Breakout Sessions

Attendees have an opportunity to choose from over 15 professional development breakout sessions. For a full list of sessions offered, click the link below. Breakout sessions include:

  • Learning That First Teaching Job!
  • Understanding Your Future Contract and Responsibilities through Scenarios: Avoiding Career-Killing Landmines in Your First Three Years of Teaching
  • Advice, Tips, and Strategies from the 2017, 2018, 2025, and 2026 Pennsylvania Teachers of the Year!

Click here for a full list of breakout sessions titles, descriptions, and speakers.

Student Career Fair

Attendees will have the option to meet with school district representatives from across Pennsylvania to connect and learn more about teaching position opportunities. Interested attendees should bring printed copies of their resume, dress professionally, prepare an introduction, and ask meaningful questions. Learn more.

Leadership Positions and Elections

Attendees will elect state and region 2026-27 officers, delegates for PSEA's House of Delegates, delegates for NEA's Aspiring Educators Leadership Conference and Representative Assembly in Denver, Co. Attendees will vote on statewide and region positions for:

  • President
  • President-elect
  • Vice President
  • Secretary
  • PSEA-PACE Chair

For more information on positions, click here. To fill out an leadership position application, click here. To serve on a Student PSEA committee, complete this form. 

PSEA-PACE

Please consider donating $10 or $15 to PSEA-PACE. With your donation, you can purchase a professional headshot, photo booth photos of you and your friends at the conference, and a basket auction.

Award Opportunities

Student PSEA is giving out awards at the 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention. These awards highlight the amazing servant leaders and advisers in our organization. Adapted from the NEA criteria, these awards allow you to easily submit them for an NEA Student Program award.

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