Week of 1-22-2024

Inside this issue

• NEA President Becky Pringle on PSEA’s podcast — “Duty Free Lunch”
• 2024 Fabric of Unionism Art Competition now accepting entries
• Soapbox: What’s the best part of your job?
• Upcoming Center for Professional Learning events and PEARL
• Member Benefits spotlight: AmeriServ mortgage and home equity loans

On this week’s episode of PSEA’s new podcast, “Duty Free Lunch,” the PSEA officer team of President Aaron Chapin, Vice President Jeff Ney, and Treasurer Rachael West sits down with President of the National Education Association and proud PSEA member Becky Pringle to discuss her experience as the head of the largest public sector union in America, the importance of diversity in the educator workforce, and why Pennsylvania educators are some of the most powerful in the country.

You can listen to “Duty Free Lunch” wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to subscribe so you’ll know when new episodes drop.

To increase awareness of the labor movement, its historical importance, and the need for it to grow in the future, PSEA holds the Jenifer J. DuBois Fabric of Unionism art competition every two years for PSEA members and students. 

What you need to know:

• Two contests, one for members and one for their students
• Prizes for each contest include a Grand Prize of $1000, a Second Prize of $500, and a Third Prize of $250
• Entries must be postmarked by March 29, 2024
• Awards reception will be held on May 11, 2024

Click the link below to find out more and see past winners.

PEARL

Visit the new, improved PEARL today and choose from more than 95 asynchronous courses available for Act 48 credit and Chapter 14 verification.

You can find multiple courses that interest you in any of these tracks: 

• Book Studies
• Educational Equity
• Pedagogy
• Policy
• Pupil Services
• Special Populations
• Technology in Education
• SEL & Wellness

Webinars

• Special Education Q&A (2023-24 Academic Year)
  • Jan. 30, 7-8:30 p.m.
• The Future is Happening as We Speak: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Classroom Today
  • Feb. 7, 7-8:30 p.m. 
• Classroom Equity Audits Webinar (with optional Book Study)
  • Feb. 15, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Science Cross-Cutting Concepts Picture Book Study
  • March 5, 7-8 p.m.
• Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day (Revised Edition)
  • April 3, 7-8 p.m.
• Good Different (Poetry)
  • April 11, 7-8 p.m.

Postgraduate Credits

Earn postgraduate credits from PennWest University for $70 each!

More than 150 postgraduate credits are available across a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

These postgraduate credits (microcredentials) can count toward the 24 credits required for a Level II certificate and also may count toward salary advancement.*

For support professionals, these courses may meet Chapter 14 requirements.**

*Check your contract to determine if you can apply standalone postgraduate credits for column movement.
**Seek approval from your employer prior to completing hours to apply toward Chapter 14 requirements.

Looking to buy a house?

Interest rates have been dropping. Now is a great time to start looking for the home of your dreams, whether it be a starter, vacation, or your next home. Enjoy these PSEA exclusive mortgage benefits with our preferred partner, AmeriServ:

• Market leading rates
• No origination fee (savings of $695)
• One FREE rate re-lock opportunity ($400 value)
• $250 credit on interest rate buy-down options

Already own a home? Take advantage of your home’s equity.

AmeriServ offers a home equity product we call Loan in a Line. Use it as a home equity credit line while also having the capability to take out fixed-rate term loans at the same time. Enjoy the flexibility this product offers to do home improvements, debt consolidation, tuition, vacations, or simply to have the peace of mind to know it’s there when you need it. Your benefits include market leading rates, along with waiving annual and other fees. 

Many members took advantage of historic low mortgage interest rates in the past couple of years. Now is a great time to establish a home equity loan and obtain low fixed-rate options. These products and benefits are available to PSEA members and their families (parents, children, and siblings). 

To learn more and to view current rates visit us at www.ameriserv.com/psea