Pennsylvania State Education Association

Bill limiting cell phone use in schools advances to Pa. Senate Pennsylvania classrooms are one step closer to becoming cell phone-free. The Senate Education Committee this week advanced bipartisan legislation that would require schools to adopt policies restricti...

"PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney, a Wilkes-Barre teacher, said mobile devices disrupt students from learning, facilitate cyberbullying, and are a contributing factor to student mental health issues." https://bit.ly/4iUe4bB

Spread some solidarity this holiday season! Make sure your gifts are union-made 🎁

Retirees excluded from pension increase advocate for fairness in State Capitol (WHTM) -- On the Capitol Christmas tree, you can find a Grinch if you look hard enough, but to state workers who retired before 2001, there's plenty more roaming the halls. A McDonald's ...

"We have people in their eighties and nineties that are living off pennies a day. They shouldn’t have to decide between groceries, medication, selling their houses that they worked so hard for. We’ve got to take care of them like they took care of us.” https://bit.ly/4aJelf7

Millersville University launches AI program for teachers A four-course endorsement helps educators use artificial intelligence safely and ethically in classrooms.

"Millersville University is launching one of Pennsylvania’s first AI teaching endorsements, a four-course program designed to help teachers understand, teach, and use AI responsibly in their classrooms." https://bit.ly/4oEoLAh

PSEA commended the state Senate Education Committee for approving legislation [SB 1014] today that would prohibit student use and restrict student possession of personal mobile devices during the school day while on school property.

🔗: www.psea.org/CellphoneBillSenateEdCommittee

J-M instructor wins state Teacher of the Year Naomi Brandstetter, a fifth-grade student at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School, had a long list of reasons Monday why Maddie Loring should be named Pennsylvania’s Teacher of the Year. The fourth-grad...

“As teachers, we don’t enter this career to be recognized or rewarded. We enter it because our hearts pull us towards service. So, standing here today, this is the most humbling bonus I could ever ask for.” https://bit.ly/4rMbTdW

It's #ComputerScienceEducationWeek 2025! 💻 🚀 Join us as we celebrate the educators who are teaching the next generation of tech leaders and recognize the impact computer science has on all subjects and careers. #CSEdWeek @CSEdWeek

Congrats to Madeline Loring, a fourth grade teacher at Jefferson-Morgan E.S., for being named the 2026 PA Teacher of the Year! 🎉👏 🍎 “Madeline believes that every student deserves to be seen, supported, and given a chance to become their very best selves."

www.psea.org/2026PATOY
📸: PA Dept. of Ed.

$3 million invested for free period products in Pennsylvania schools (WHTM)– The Pennsylvania Department of Health is investing an additional $3 million to put free period products in all Pennsylvania school districts. According to the Shapiro Administration, ...

"According to the Shapiro administration, the investment will help provide free period products to students in Pennsylvania’s school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and brick-and-mortar charter schools." https://bit.ly/4iMPd9q

Devlin Robinson, Vincent J. Hughes and Steve Santarsiero: Kids don’t need their cell phones in school When the effort to restrict student cellphone use in schools first began two years ago, it was met with skepticism. Some thought it was unrealistic. Others...

“...Educators themselves are demanding change. Just a year ago, the PSEA, which represents more than 177,000 teachers and school staff across the commonwealth, was cautious about supporting a statewide cellphone policy. Today, they’re fully behind a ban." https://bit.ly/4pnevxb

Pitt-Bradford to launch new special education major BRADFORD — The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will launch a new four-year major in PreK–12 special education next fall to help address Pennsylvania’s critical shortage of certified special educa...

"The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will launch a new four-year major in PreK–12 special education next fall to help address Pennsylvania’s critical shortage of certified special education teachers." https://bit.ly/4iO5vyY

Why are NEA members thankful for their union? They tell it best—in their own words, from real experiences. https://bit.ly/4p88fJG

As AI enters Pennsylvania classrooms, teachers and students face a learning curve Pennsylvania schools are racing to determine the role artificial intelligence should play in education – and when.

"People think AI literacy is teaching kids how to use AI – but I think it’s more important for kids to understand what their role is when they interact with it, what data is being collected and how it’s being used." https://bit.ly/49PJBJ6

After years-long battle, HACC’s faculty union has a new contract The school voted to ratify the agreement on Tuesday night.

"This first contract represents years of hard work on behalf of HACCEA members, and the willingness of the college to support and recognize the valuable work of their faculty.” https://bit.ly/4pJDEC5

Ensuring that all students can access the excellent education that they deserve is critical—thank you to everyone who works to make that possible for our students in special education. #NationalSpecialEducationDay

It’s #GivingTuesday! For over 5 decades, The NEA Foundation has championed educator-led initiatives and innovation that create lasting change. Help keep this essential work moving forward by making a gift today.

http://www.neafoundation.org/all-in/

On National Special Education Day, we celebrate the educators, support professionals, and staff who empower students with disabilities and provide them with a quality public education.💚

CAPITOL ROUNDUP: Testimony condemns use of mobile devices in public schools <p>WILKES-BARRE — PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney recently testified before the state House Education and Health Committees that the Pennsylvania State Education Association supports legislation requirin...

"Children’s brains are still developing, and they can’t always control their worst impulses... When students have constant access to a device that can be used to easily relieve frustration or other feelings, bad things occur.” https://bit.ly/4ovGqtV

IDEA is 50 Years Old -- And at Risk | NEA You can help spread the word about the importance of IDEA this holiday season.

The 50th anniversary of IDEA is a moment to celebrate and take action. Before IDEA, millions of children with disabilities were denied access to quality education. With the anniversary this Saturday, NEA is sharing ways to talk about the importance of protecting students’ rights this holiday season.

Local teacher awarded ‘National Language Teacher of the Year’ LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) named a Lancaster County high school teacher National Language Teacher of the Year. Natha…

Congrats to Nathan Campbell, vice president of Manheim Central EA & Advanced Placement Spanish teacher at Manheim Central H.S., for being named the 2026 National Language Teacher of the Year! 👏 🎉 #PSEAProud

Read more about his accomplishment: https://bit.ly/48ACm6I.

"The teacher shortage is not going to go away anytime soon. We need to produce more certified teachers in Pa. It's a nationwide problem. So, if we can inspire all these young people to go to school, to study, to become teachers, then we've met our goal." https://bit.ly/48toBqp

Wallenpaupack's Ann Monaghan gets education support professional award Ann Monaghan, administrative assistant to the principal of Wallenpaupack Area High School, is the Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year.

"Ann excels on so many levels. She is a compassionate leader, hardworking volunteer, skilled support professional, and effective public official. As a leader in her local and in PSEA, she is a strong voice for her fellow support professionals." https://yhoo.it/48wniXH

PSEA statement on Trump’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education Aaron Chapin, President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), condemned the Trump administration’s recent executive order that initiates a sys

"According to PSEA, this move threatens approximately $1.6 billion in federal funding for Pennsylvania schools — vital dollars that support Title I programs, special education (IDEA), and nearly 7,000 educators and support staff." https://bit.ly/489w0cX

PA school funding: How much extra your district gets PA lawmakers approved a second year of supplements targeting districts that fall short of adequate per-student spending benchmarks.

"The path to adequacy is still far too slow, and we still need to deal with school facilities. But it's one more step on a journey to adequacy." https://bit.ly/48btwea

Faculty union votes in favor of contract agreement with HACC HACCEA faculty have voted with a 94% approval rate to ratify a tentative agreement reached with HACC.

"Faculty members voted on Wednesday in favor of the tentative agreement, with an approval rate of 94%. The contract still awaits approval by the administration. It will be the union’s first contract with the college since it formed in 2022." https://bit.ly/48doiPh

Camp Hill school counselor wins statewide award CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) -- Wednesday's Hometown Hero earned top honors for guiding students. Diana Chandra is the counselor at Camp Hill Middle School, and now she's got anot...

PSEA member Diana Chandra is a school counselor at Camp Hill Middle School, and now she’s got another title... Pennsylvania School Counselor of the Year! 🎉 https://www.abc27.com/community/hometown-hero/camp-hill-school-counselor-wins-statewide-award/

PA educator wins PSEA's Education Support Professional of the Year Communities nationwide are recognizing Nov. 19 as Education Support Professionals Day, part of American Education Week, which celebrates nonteaching staff in schools.Ann Monaghan, administrative assis...

"Monaghan said the award is especially meaningful. She explained her work goes beyond her office duties as she is currently working to help unhoused students through the Hawley Forward program." https://bit.ly/43Gy7Ut?

PSEA president issues statement on Trump administration actions to further dismantle U.S. Department of Education “Ensuring a brighter future for our children should be a top priority for any administration," said PSEA President Aaron Chapin. "Instead, this administration is hacking away at the very protections a...

PSEA President Aaron Chapin issued a statement in response to the Trump administration's actions to further dismantle the #USDOE, reassigning responsibilities for programs and funding critical to America’s K-12 students to other federal agencies: www.psea.org/dismantleUSDOE

Congrats to Ann Monaghan, administrative assistant to the principal of Wallenpaupack Area High School, for being named PSEA's 2025 Dolores McCracken ESP of the Year! 👏🎉 Read more about Ann at www.psea.org/2025-26ESPoftheYear.

Today is #ESPDay, a moment to pause and appreciate the education support professionals who quite literally keep schools running.

Bussing students to school, feeding them meals, furthering their education, keeping their classrooms clean—education cannot happen without the tireless effort of ESPs.