Welcome to "The Source," an e-newsletter exclusively for Student PSEA members. In each issue, you'll receive the latest updates from your association, advice from veteran educators, professional development offerings, and more to support you as an aspiring educator.

Inside this issue

• Student PSEA wants to hear from you!
• ICYMI: Student teacher stipends
• Find the champions for public education on your ballot
• Now accepting 2026 Celebrating Excellence Awards nominations
• Upcoming Center for Professional Learning and Student PSEA events
• Member Benefits spotlight: restaurants, travel, shopping, and more

Student PSEA wants to hear from you!

 

Are you graduating, student teaching, or continuing your education this year? Please take five minutes to complete the Student PSEA Member Fall 2025 Survey to share your current status and plans for the current school year. Your responses will help us connect you with your local PSEA association if you started a job in Pennsylvania, share important resources if you are currently job searching or student teaching, and make sure your Student PSEA membership is up to date if you're still in school.

 

ICYMI: Student teacher stipends

The Pennsylvania state budget is now more than 100 days late.

Student teachers are hit especially hard by this delay. Without a budget in place, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) can’t confirm student teachers’ eligibility for life-changing student teacher stipends, communicate with applicants, or pay student teachers the stipends they’ve been counting on.

Here’s what you need to know:

• PSEA is pushing for lawmakers to pass a REAL state budget with at least $40 million for student teacher stipends.
• When applications opened for the program in April, 3,435 student teachers applied for stipends.
• There’s a crisis-level school staff shortage in Pennsylvania, and paying student teachers for their 12-week student teaching assignments is a way to attract caring, qualified adults to the profession.

We know that we need at least $40 million to fund student teacher stipends for every student who wants one. And we know pro-public education lawmakers can get this done, but not until a state budget is passed.

Find the champions for public education on your ballot

Tuesday, Nov. 4 is Election Day in Pennsylvania. Make your voice heard and have a plan to vote in person or to return your ballot by mail.

Planning 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 Tuesday, Oct. 28 by 5 p.m. Once you have your mail-in ballot, the ballot must be completed and returned to your county election office by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Be sure to read the instructions on your ballot carefully. Planning to vote in person? Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Find your polling place here.

Who's on the ballot?

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht are up for retention. Together, these three justices have contributed to landmark decisions that directly affect the daily lives of Pennsylvanians and educators.

On Nov. 4, vote for PSEA-PACE recommended candidates and vote “YES” to retain our pro-public education state court justices and judges. You can find all of the champions for public schools recommended by your colleagues on your ballot at www.SchoolHouseBallot.com.

Now accepting 2026 Celebrating Excellence Awards nominations

 

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

 

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.

 

 

Upcoming Center for Professional Learning and Student PSEA events

Join Slippery Rock University Student PSEA on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for their annual Rock Solid Educator’s Conference. Attendees will have opportunities for professional development, professional headshots, community service, and more. For more information and to register, click here. Questions should be directed to mwrspsea@gmail.com.

The 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention will be held at the Penn Stater in State College from March 28-29, 2026. Attendees will network with fellow aspiring educators from across Pennsylvania, elect Student PSEA’s 2026-27 officers, donate to PSEA-PACE, and hear from public education experts. The 2026 Student PSEA awards and A.P.E.X. awards will be presented, and Interactive Learning Project competitions will take place at the conference.

 

Keep an eye out for more 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention details and registration information on Student PSEA's Facebook page and in future issues of The Source.

 

Webinars 

• Getting to Know the 3D Science Standards: STEELS Are Here!: TODAY, Oct. 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Certification, Tenure, Induction, and Act 48: Oct. 21, 7-8 p.m.
• Fostering a “Growth Mindset” in the Classroom Today: Nov. 12, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Spooky Stories to Read in the Classroom: Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m.
• Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally: Nov. 5, 7-8 p.m.

EDGE Speaker Series

EDGE brings pre‐professionals, experienced teachers, and other education professionals together to collaborate and discuss the issues facing public education and the profession. Interested in inviting an EDGE speaker to your Student PSEA chapter event? Review the list of available topics and email students@psea.org with a presentation topic, event details, and contact information.

NNSTOY-PA TEACH Program

NNSTOY-PA is a statewide organization of teachers who have been named Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year finalists and are available for speaking engagements. Interested in inviting a finalist to attend and/or speak at your Student PSEA chapter event? Click here to submit a speaker request.

Connect with Student PSEA on social media

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