Week of 4-22-2024

Inside this issue

• Congratulations to 2025 PA Teacher of the Year finalists
• Fundamental Facts: Pennsylvania Public Education
• Who is a teacher or ESP who had an impact on you?
• PSEA job opportunity: Benefits Specialist
• Member Benefits spotlight: Boscov’s Travel

We’re proud to announce that 11 of the 12 finalsts for the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year are PSEA members. Here’s the complete list of this year’s finalists:

• Sherry Appleton, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
• Anne Fisher, Downingtown Middle School
• Rob Hodgson, McDowell High School
• Jill Hyatt, Meadville Area Senior High School
• Brooke Nenadal, Curtin Intermediate School
• Darla Romberger, Cumberland Valley High School
• Bo Shappell, Daniel Boone Area High School
• Jennifer Sharek, Patterson Primary School
• Leon Smith, Haverford High School
• Kevin Tomlinson, Evergreen Elementary School
• Jennifer Toney, Sharpsville Area Elementary School
• Jessica Waber, Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School

Congratulations to all of you.

Nominations for Teacher of the Year can be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education all year long by students, community members, parents, or teachers.

One of PSEA’s priorities is providing up-to-date facts and information about Pennsylvania’s public schools all in one place to help you better understand:

• How many public schools, students, and staff Pennsylvania has,
• What educators and support professionals get paid,
• How public schools are funded, and
• How public schools are performing academically.

Check out our web page at the link below to peruse through comprehensive data on everything from details on school entities, staffing, enrollment, educator information, salaries, school funding, student performance, and relevant statistics on just about everything that relates to your job. 

We’ll keep the information here updated so you can check back any time. 

For members attending the upcoming PSEA House of Delegates on May 17-18, please remember that an online new business item office will be open on May 13, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.. To submit new business items during the online new business item office, click on the link below between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on May 13.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81932575904?pwd=YnFNSm9EWFJ5VzBLclpickJRSVowQT09

Meeting ID: 819 3257 5904
Passcode: 936046

For members who aren’t attending the House of Delegates on May 17-18, you can watch PSEA members in action at the link below beginning on May 17 at 8 p.m.

www.psea.org/HODLivestream

How would you like to give a shout out to that special teacher or support professional who made an outsized impact on you?

We’re gathering short videos to use in our digital communications that celebrate the profound affect educators and support professionals can have on any student at any time.

If you’d like to participate, it’ll just take a moment. Here’s what to do:

1. Click the video thumbnail above to view an example of what we’re after.
2. Shoot a similar HORIZONTAL video on your cell phone.
3. Don’t forget to INTRODUCE YOURSELF (name, job title, school district).
4. Drop the video into our Dropbox folder here.

That’s it! If you need any assistance, email comms@psea.org.

PSEA is recruiting for a Benefits Specialist to coordinate the complex HR benefit functions for our staff.  This confidential position works independently, providing overall benefits administration (pension, 401k, HRA, insurance, FMLA, disability, etc.), HRIS support, processing new hire, transfer, promotion, and termination changes, and provides excellent customer service to prospective, current, and former employees.

Previous experience with a defined benefit pension plan strongly preferred. An associate degree and five years' experience is required.

PSEA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. PSEA actively seeks diverse candidates and those with the ability to work on a diverse team with a diverse range of people. 

How to apply and the job description can be found at www.psea.org/jobs

As a PSEA Member Benefits partner, Boscov’s Travel has many perks and benefits just for you when you book your next vacation. The company’s local, knowledgeable advisors are ready to help you plan your dream vacation – whether it's a cruise, an all-inclusive island resort, U.S. or global land tours, or Disney and Orlando amusement destinations.

In business for over 46 years, Boscov’s brings its experience and knowledge to you.

Now more than ever, using a professional travel advisor has never been more valuable. As a PSEA member, you get exclusive discounts that can be bundled with the best national offers. Yet another perk – book your travel with your Boscov’s credit card and enjoy 12 months interest-free financing!