Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 10-21-2024

Inside this issue

• PA House passes essential COLA bill
• President Chapin urges PSEA members to vote
• Voice preview: Teacher wins national STEM award for mentorship
• Celebrating Excellence Awards now open for nominations
• Center for Professional Learning & PEARL
• Member Benefits spotlight: Voluntary Vision plan

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 1379, which provides a long-awaited cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 63,000 public-sector retirees, including educators, school staff, and state employees who retired before 2001. These retirees, many in their 80s and 90s, have seen their pension value erode due to inflation, with no increases in over two decades.

PSEA President Aaron Chapin applauded the effort, saying, “A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House took decisive action today to recognize and respect a generation of public servants who spent their careers making our commonwealth a better place to live, work, and learn.”

The bill also includes COLA adjustments for municipal police officers and firefighters.

The bill now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate. If passed, it will go to Gov. Shapiro’s desk for final approval. PSEA and other advocates are urging the Senate to act quickly to provide long-overdue financial relief to these retirees.

Tuesday Nov. 5 is General Election Day in Pennsylvania.

Make your voice heard and have a plan to vote in person or to return your ballot by mail.

If you plan to vote by absentee or mail-in ballot:

Your completed mail-in ballot APPLICATION must be received (online, or by mail) in your county election office by Oct. 29.

Once you have your mail-in ballot, the ballot must be completed and returned to your county election office by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5. Be sure to read the instructions on your ballot carefully.

On Nov. 5, polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Find your polling place here.

And if you haven’t yet, find the pro-public education candidates on your ballot at www.schoolhouseballot.com.

The Bangor Area High School research program for the 2023-24 school year. (left to right) back row: Robert Hachtman, Oliver Krejbich, Cayden Bray, Cooper Gray; front row: Emily Ace, Sophia Lanier, Hannah Ratzman, Olivia Melazzo.

Bob Hachtman, a biology teacher and research mentor at Bangor Area High School, has earned national recognition for his commitment to student research. This year, Hachtman was awarded the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS) Teachers Award for his work in mentoring students and fostering a research-driven learning environment.

“So many schools are driven by state testing,” Hachtman said. “Students graduate without ever really conducting scientific research.”

Read the full story in the latest issue of Voice:

Do you know a friend, colleague, or community member or organization who you think deserves special recognition for their contribution to public education? Right now, we’re accepting nominations for the Celebrating Excellence “Adler Friend of Education” and “Human & Civil Rights” Awards.

Click here to learn more and find out how to submit a nomination.

PSEA's Celebrating Excellence Awards Dinner honors winners of the PSEA Adler Friend of Education Award and the PSEA Human and Civil Rights Awards.

PSEA hosts the dinner each May to provide a special opportunity to recognize individuals, local associations, and organizations going the extra mile for our schools and communities.

The Adler Friend of Education award recognizes an individual who has made significant statewide contributions to public education. Adler Award recipients have included PSEA leaders, public officials, and others whose work has improved public education in Pennsylvania.

The Human and Civil Rights Awards are intended to applaud the outstanding work occurring every day in Pennsylvania's public schools and in our communities.

A selection committee meets each January to review the nominations submitted and select winners in four categories: Student Leader, Educational Leader, Community Leader, and Local Association, along with the Adler Friend of Education Award.

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

• Exploring National Board Certification and Brainstorming the Components— You Can Achieve It!
  • Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m.
• Critical Race Theory, Multiculturalism, Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, and Social Justice for Equity in Schools Today
  • Nov. 7, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Curriculum and Equity Audits: What Are They and How Can They Be Used to Create More Equitable and Excellent Schools?
  • Nov. 14, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Every Connection Matters: How to Build, Maintain, and Restore Relationships Inside the Classroom and Out
  
  • Nov. 19, 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 (micro-credentials) 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.

The PSEA Voluntary Vision Plan offers low monthly payments, great frame and contact lenses allowances, exam coverage, fitting fee coverage for contact lenses, and the choice of 12-month or 24-month coverage. The plan is available to all PSEA members and eligible dependents to age 26. Enrollment opens the first of each month.

The 12-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $150 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $12 for single coverage, $24 for two-party, and $35 for family coverage.

The 24-month plan highlights include a $300 frame allowance or $175 contact lenses allowance with monthly premiums of only $8 for single coverage, $16 for two-party, and $23 for family coverage.

For more information on the vision program please visit https://pseahwf.org/voluntary_vision/ or call the PSEA Health & Welfare Fund at 800-944-7732 ext. 7024.