Pennsylvania State Education Association

Week of 2-17-2025

Inside this issue

• PSEA ESP of the year is national finalist
• PSEA President Aaron Chapin hosts “PA Newsmakers”
• Thousands of PSEA members help to revise our mission, vision, values, and goals
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning
• Member Benefits spotlight: URL life insurance

Avonworth Elementary paraprofessional Becky Marszalek, who was named PSEA’s Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year for 2024-25, is one of five finalists for the National Education Association’s (NEA) Education Support Professional of the Year.

She and her four co-finalists were selected from among 40 nominees nationwide.

“It is an incredible honor to be one of five finalists in the country for the NEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award,” Marszalek said. “I am so proud to be in the company of such remarkable and hardworking support professionals who make a difference in the lives of so many students every day.”

PSEA President Aaron Chapin with Student PSEA members Torrence Brown (left) and Riley Artis on “PA Newsmakers”

PSEA President Aaron Chapin sat in as guest host of the popular public affairs TV program “Pennsylvania Newsmakers” on Thursday for a program set to air on Sunday.

Chapin spoke with Rep. Pete Schweyer, chairman of the House Education Committee, who offered his perspective on school funding in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed FY 2025-26 budget and highlighted some education policy issues on the horizon in Harrisburg.

Also on the program were Student PSEA President Riley Artis and Student PSEA Southern Region President Torrence Brown, who talked about what it’s like being student teachers and why it is so essential that the state fully fund student teacher stipends in the next budget.

You can tune in to watch “Pennsylvania Newsmakers” on WGAL-TV at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, or check out the show online now at the PA Newsmakers website.

On Dec. 14, members attending the PSEA House of Delegates voted to approve important revisions to the Association’s mission, vision, values, and goals — statements which will guide PSEA’s organizational priorities for the next eight to 10 years.

The revisions to the mission, vision, values, and goals statements were the result of 14 months of guided conversations, surveys, and focus groups, where thousands of PSEA members shared their ideas about the principles they believe should be the foundation of PSEA’s work going forward.

“This was an exciting, collaborative process where we gave every PSEA member the opportunity to be seen and heard,” said PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney. “PSEA is a member-driven organization. PSEA is its members, and the mission, vision, values, and goals process is evidence of that.

“This is how we do things at PSEA, and we’re stronger because of it.”

Updating PSEA’s mission, vision, values, and goals … by the numbers

• 12 focus groups with nearly 100 PSEA members
• Three town halls with hundreds of PSEA members
• 16,238 responses to a survey sent to all PSEA members
• Nine feedback sessions during PSEA conferences and meetings with hundreds of PSEA members

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

• Beyond the Screen: The Impact of Cellphones and Social Media on Our Students
  • March 4, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Fostering a “Growth Mindset” in the Classroom Today: Shifting the Focus to Growth and Development with Assessment and Grades Rather than Measurement for Sorting and Classification
  • March 12, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Apps-olutely Engaged! Free Apps to Engage Students in Learning
  • March 19, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Social and Emotional Learning with Dr. Seuss
  • Feb. 26, 7-8 p.m.
• Tech for Teacher Wellness: Strategies for a Healthy Life and Sustainable Career
  • March 25, 7-8 p.m.
• The Mindful Teacher’s Toolkit
  • April 2, 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.

URL Insurance Group is the life insurance provider for PSEA members and their families. URL understands that life does not stand still, and it shouldn’t take a lifetime to apply for life insurance coverage. It is important to review your life insurance frequently to ensure you are properly covered for your ever-changing needs.

These life events, and more, can alter your life insurance needs and financial situation. It may be time for a life insurance checkup if you have experienced any of the following life events:

• Retirement or approaching retirement
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Change in marital status
• Purchasing a new home or refinancing
• Incurring new debts/student loans
• Taking care of elderly parents
• Never purchased life insurance before

Coverage starts as low as $5,000 and goes up to $1,000,000 and more. For peace of mind, schedule your life insurance checkup.

Call: 717.500.PSEA (7732)

Email: psea@urlinsgroup.com

Website: www.urlinsgroup.com/psea