When it comes to organizing new PSEA members, Sherry Bailey leans on the past.

“Younger educators need to understand that the union brought them to where they are today,’’ said Bailey, an elementary teacher for 26 years in the DuBois Area School District, Clearfield and Jefferson Counties. “There was a time when salaries and benefits weren’t what they are today. They still may not be comparable to other professions, but they’ve come a long way and that is because of the union.’’

Bailey, who just completed four years as DuBois Area EA president, is part of a local where all but three of 297 eligible educators are full-time members.

Like many other locals, DuBois EA leaders get new teachers together prior to the start of the school year, and they go over the many benefits of PSEA membership.

But Bailey said they also try to impress upon them that it’s important to be “active members.’’

“We try to point out that the union isn’t just there for you; we need to be voices for our students,’’ she said. “You are part of something much bigger than yourselves.’’

New members are encouraged to express their voices through communications to elected officials, for example. But also through community involvement.

“We started doing more organizational things, and community outreach,’’ Bailey said. “One thing we do is ask teachers to contribute $10, and we purchase books for newborns at local hospitals, along with materials for parents on the importance of reading. We find that these types of programs really bring members together.’’

She said EA leaders in recent years also created a lot of different committees to give members more opportunities to participate and get involved.

“We really emphasize that we are all in this together,’’ Bailey said.

Just like those 20,000 teachers on a cold March day 50 years ago were in it together, a point she and other leaders never lose sight of.

“We have to respect the history,’’ Bailey said. “A lot of people before us fought hard. And we need to keep up that fight.’’