We all need a break every now and then. That’s why we so look forward to summer vacation through the ever-hectic, often-exhausting, never-a-dull-moment school year.

So, here we are. Summer vacation is upon us –  time to take a break, relax, play a little, maybe travel, and definitely have some fun.

For me, it’s also a time to reflect on the year so far and to appreciate the remarkable impact you have on the lives of your students, their families, and public education in Pennsylvania.

I’m not just talking about what you do in your schools and classrooms. That work is incredibly important, but when the school bell rings and the day is over, you continue to be a voice for public education.

This spring, when the state Legislature was filling its plate with a healthy helping of education policy changes, I called on you to reach out to your legislators – and you came through.

Thousands of you sent messages to lawmakers urging them to adopt a budget that puts Pennsylvania schools first. The budget signed by Gov. Tom Wolf has education investments we support – including $100 million more for basic education, $15 million more for special education, $30 million for new career and tech initiatives, and $60 million for school safety grants.

Since taking office, Gov. Wolf has made public school funding a top priority, and pro-public education legislators worked closely with him this year to pass a budget that puts our schools and students first.

They got a lot of help from you along the way. Never underestimate how much of an impact you have by contacting your elected state lawmakers and urging them to stand up for public education.

About 100 members with PSEA’s Advocates for Children and Education program made the trek to Harrisburg in June to meet with lawmakers face to face. Developing that personal relationship with your elected leaders is so important. You are the experts when it comes to education. Your lawmakers should hear what you have to say.

Earlier in the year, nearly 1,000 members submitted policy ideas online at PSEA.org to make our schools safer in the wake of school shooting tragedies in Florida and Texas. I shared those ideas with lawmakers and the governor to help inform their efforts to enhance school safety.

Thousands more of you sent messages of support for legislative efforts to reform the state’s use of high-stakes standardized tests like the Keystone Exams and to protect the jobs of education support professionals from bad outsourcing deals.

So, at the midway point of 2018, rest and enjoy the summer break. Whatever other challenges our nation faces, you have helped us achieve a lot of good in Harrisburg.

When the school year begins anew in a few months, you will hear from me again — this time urging you to come out and support Gov. Wolf and other friends of public education at the polls.

The fall election will shape what our public schools look like well into the next decade. You can help make sure it’s a good future for public education by talking to your family, friends, and neighbors about your experiences in your schools and why we need a governor and Legislature that support public education.

Rejuvenate now. Because our work, while fruitful so far, is far from over.

See you in September! 

Email Dolores McCracken: dmccracken@psea.org