Week of 9-25-2023

Inside this issue

• Voice preview: Wallenpaupack aviation program sets students up for high-flying careers
• How are you celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month?
• ICYMI: PEARL relaunch
• Upcoming Center for Professional Learning events
• Member Benefits spotlight: discount Hersheypark Halloween attraction tickets

Did you know that one person created a world-class high school aviation program in six months for just $3? Yes, it’s possible.

Eric Greenberger of Wallenpaupack EA used his decades of aviation industry experience and connections to put together the Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program, the only one of its kind in the nation. The program focuses on four career tracks in the industry: professional pilot, air traffic control, aviation management, and aviation maintenance. All he needed was the school district’s support, $3, and a week’s time to enroll students.

“I walked in with a 73-slide PowerPoint presentation about why we were going to do this, how we were going to do it, and the benefits that it would provide for the kids,” Greenberger said. “And at the end of the presentation, all the administrators were pretty much blown away and just kind of dumbfounded with what I presented. They looked at me like I had two heads, and they said, ‘OK, sure. We’ll give you $3, knock yourself out.’ So, a week later I rolled into the high school parking lot with a group of students, a school van, and a trailer with a Cessna 150 on it.”

Read more in the September issue of Voice, headed to your mailbox now, or click the button below to read the PDF version online.

PSEA celebrates the diverse experiences, voices, and vibrant cultures Hispanic communities bring to Pennsylvania’s public schools and students this month, and all year round. 

Do you have something planned with your students to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Let us know on Facebook.

In case you missed it, the PSEA Center for Professional Learning recently relaunched the PEARL online learning system with many updates and improvements. Featured updates to PEARL are described on our brand new PEARL Updates Page where you can learn about the latest improvements including:

• Log in using your PSEA.org credentials: PSEA members have instant access to PEARL with just their PSEA.org username and password.
• Personalized Dashboard: Access all your courses, certificates, badges, and other information in a single space.
• Updated, Mobile-Friendly Interface: This modernized look and feel enhances your experience on any device.
• Simplified Navigation: The navigation bar is available from every page and connects you to all you need.
• Enhanced Support: Easily get help with improved FAQs, clarifying help videos, and a direct connection to tech support using the integrated form.

We also improved our member support with an updated FAQ Page and a showcase of videos showing you all the steps you need to make the most of PEARL.

Webinars

• Educator Evaluation: Navigating the Policy
  
  • Oct. 3, 7-8:30 p.m.
• The Future is Happening as We Speak: Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Classroom Today for Early Career Educators
  
  • Oct. 10, 7-8 p.m.
• Supporting Gifted Learners
  
  • Oct. 18, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Time to Roll
  
  • Oct. 17, 7-8 p.m.
• The Introverted Educator
  
  • Oct. 26, 7-8 p.m.
• The New Classroom Instruction That Works: The Best Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement, Part 1, Chapters 1-4
  
  • Nov. 8, 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.

From now to Oct. 29, PSEA members have access to discount weekend admission tickets to Hersheypark Halloween and all Dark Nights attractions through Access Development. 

Attractions include Trick or Treat, Lights-Out Coaster Rides, and Dark Nights Haunted Houses and Scare Zones. 

Click the button below for more details.