Pennsylvania State Education Association
@pseaorg.bsky.social
Pennsylvania State Education Association - 177,000 current, retired, and future educators, nurses, and education support profs. in Pennsylvania. 🍎 www.psea.org
In November, the Fran Mano Gallery opened at the Beaver Valley Mall, giving Beaver Co. Career & Technology Center art students a professional space to show their work and connect with the wider community.
Read more in the 1/12 issue of Keeping Connected: https://bit.ly/408QO0F
Read more in the 1/12 issue of Keeping Connected: https://bit.ly/408QO0F
February 13, 2026 at 9:15 PM
In November, the Fran Mano Gallery opened at the Beaver Valley Mall, giving Beaver Co. Career & Technology Center art students a professional space to show their work and connect with the wider community.
Read more in the 1/12 issue of Keeping Connected: https://bit.ly/408QO0F
Read more in the 1/12 issue of Keeping Connected: https://bit.ly/408QO0F
Congratulations to Butler Area band teacher Jeff Kroner, chosen to be inducted into the Pa. Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in an April ceremony. The longtime educator has been at Butler for the last 33 years. https://butlerradio.com/local-teacher-to-be-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/
Local Teacher To Be Inducted Into Hall Of Fame - ButlerRadio.com - Butler, PA
A longtime local educator is receiving a special honor. Butler Area School District band teacher Jeff Kroner has been chosen to be included in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Hall of Fame...
butlerradio.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Congratulations to Butler Area band teacher Jeff Kroner, chosen to be inducted into the Pa. Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in an April ceremony. The longtime educator has been at Butler for the last 33 years. https://butlerradio.com/local-teacher-to-be-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/
"The program works by providing tickets to teachers to distribute to students when that student is seen 'going above and beyond' within the classroom, which then goes into a raffle bucket." https://bit.ly/4k2rZN5
Snyder Elementary celebrates, looks to expand RISE program
SAYRE — Teachers at Snyder Elementary are celebrating the growth of its RISE program, or Respect, Integrity, Self Control and Empathy rewards program, as they look to expand the benefits
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 5:53 PM
"The program works by providing tickets to teachers to distribute to students when that student is seen 'going above and beyond' within the classroom, which then goes into a raffle bucket." https://bit.ly/4k2rZN5
February is Career and Technical Education Month! Shoutout to all of the incredible CTE professionals who teach Pennsylvania's students the necessary skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the trades and professions that inspire them. 💙⚙️
February 10, 2026 at 6:13 PM
February is Career and Technical Education Month! Shoutout to all of the incredible CTE professionals who teach Pennsylvania's students the necessary skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the trades and professions that inspire them. 💙⚙️
"Congress' annual appropriations bills, which Trump signed into law Feb. 3, fully retained spending for many of the department's programs, funding things like special education and afterschool activities."
https://bit.ly/4knLbVI
https://bit.ly/4knLbVI
RIP Education Dept.? Not quite. Trump struggles in bid to kill agency
The White House is continuing its efforts to dismantle the Education Department, but Congress just fully funded it.
www.usatoday.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
"Congress' annual appropriations bills, which Trump signed into law Feb. 3, fully retained spending for many of the department's programs, funding things like special education and afterschool activities."
https://bit.ly/4knLbVI
https://bit.ly/4knLbVI
NEA's February Read Across America books amplify and celebrate Black voices and stories to help students explore how reading can be a path to personal and collective freedom.
Learn more about this month's selections: https://bit.ly/4pM7RA5
Learn more about this month's selections: https://bit.ly/4pM7RA5
February 9, 2026 at 6:44 PM
NEA's February Read Across America books amplify and celebrate Black voices and stories to help students explore how reading can be a path to personal and collective freedom.
Learn more about this month's selections: https://bit.ly/4pM7RA5
Learn more about this month's selections: https://bit.ly/4pM7RA5
Paraprofessional Kirstie Stayduhar "attended the governor's budget address and she praised the plan. She said she believes higher wages would help with retention, demonstrate the importance of school support staff, and make these jobs more appealing," https://bit.ly/46H5NTc?
Governor’s budget backs $15 wage, boosts PA school funding
Gov. Josh Shapiro's new budget proposal for 2026 and 2027 includes almost $700 million more for Pennsylvania public schools. The budget also calls for increasing Pennsylvania's minimum wage from $7.25
app.publicnewsservice.org
February 9, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Paraprofessional Kirstie Stayduhar "attended the governor's budget address and she praised the plan. She said she believes higher wages would help with retention, demonstrate the importance of school support staff, and make these jobs more appealing," https://bit.ly/46H5NTc?
“Cellphones are something that we, as active educators, see in our classrooms every single day," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said. They “provide distractions to our students." A ban "from bell-to-bell, we believe, is going to increase the educ. of all students…”
https://bit.ly/3LYqpiW
https://bit.ly/3LYqpiW
Officials, Erie families speak on PA bill banning phones in school
A bill passed in the Pennsylvania Senate on February 4 would greenlight public schools to ban phones, and it prompted different perspectives in the community. Senate Bill 1014 would implement a bel...
www.yourerie.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:56 PM
“Cellphones are something that we, as active educators, see in our classrooms every single day," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said. They “provide distractions to our students." A ban "from bell-to-bell, we believe, is going to increase the educ. of all students…”
https://bit.ly/3LYqpiW
https://bit.ly/3LYqpiW
PSEA praised the Senate’s action, saying educators have long warned about the toll unrestricted phone use takes on classrooms.
“Mobile devices disrupt classroom lessons, distract students from learning, & facilitate cyberbullying," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said.
https://bit.ly/4rC021p
“Mobile devices disrupt classroom lessons, distract students from learning, & facilitate cyberbullying," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said.
https://bit.ly/4rC021p
'A no-brainer': Pa. Senate approves statewide bell-to-bell ban on student cellphone use
Lawmakers voted 46-1 on Senate Bill 1014, bipartisan legislation that would require public schools to adopt "bell-to-bell" policies restricting student use of smartphones and other internet-connected ...
www.lehighvalleynews.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM
PSEA praised the Senate’s action, saying educators have long warned about the toll unrestricted phone use takes on classrooms.
“Mobile devices disrupt classroom lessons, distract students from learning, & facilitate cyberbullying," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said.
https://bit.ly/4rC021p
“Mobile devices disrupt classroom lessons, distract students from learning, & facilitate cyberbullying," PSEA VP Jeff Ney said.
https://bit.ly/4rC021p
Pre-Act 9 retirees haven't gotten a pension cost-of-living raise since 2002..
Since then, the "cost of food; that’s increased 88%. The cost of housing has gone up 85%, and medical care has risen 111%,” said Jeff Ney, vice president of PSEA.
https://bit.ly/4qZJWi1
Since then, the "cost of food; that’s increased 88%. The cost of housing has gone up 85%, and medical care has risen 111%,” said Jeff Ney, vice president of PSEA.
https://bit.ly/4qZJWi1
Advocates urge cost-of-living raises for retired PA teachers
Retired teachers in Pennsylvania have not seen cost-of-living adjustments on their pensions since 2002 and some advocates are looking to change that. Advocates said that with no retirement benefit ...
www.yourerie.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Pre-Act 9 retirees haven't gotten a pension cost-of-living raise since 2002..
Since then, the "cost of food; that’s increased 88%. The cost of housing has gone up 85%, and medical care has risen 111%,” said Jeff Ney, vice president of PSEA.
https://bit.ly/4qZJWi1
Since then, the "cost of food; that’s increased 88%. The cost of housing has gone up 85%, and medical care has risen 111%,” said Jeff Ney, vice president of PSEA.
https://bit.ly/4qZJWi1
"I am so glad that Gov. Shapiro has proposed to increase the min. wage in Pa.," said paraprofessional/PSEA member Kirstie Stayduhar, who attend the guv's budget address Tuesday, where he proposed raising the wage in PA $7.25 -->$15 an hour.
Read more👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Read more👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
February 5, 2026 at 4:53 PM
"I am so glad that Gov. Shapiro has proposed to increase the min. wage in Pa.," said paraprofessional/PSEA member Kirstie Stayduhar, who attend the guv's budget address Tuesday, where he proposed raising the wage in PA $7.25 -->$15 an hour.
Read more👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Read more👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Feb. 2-6 marks #EdRisingWeek. 🎓 Ed. Rising in Pennsylvania continues to grow, with more than 430 students, 40 teacher leaders, and 25 school districts participating to help restore the educator pipeline. Learn more about our program: www.psea.org/educatorsrising
February 5, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Feb. 2-6 marks #EdRisingWeek. 🎓 Ed. Rising in Pennsylvania continues to grow, with more than 430 students, 40 teacher leaders, and 25 school districts participating to help restore the educator pipeline. Learn more about our program: www.psea.org/educatorsrising
During a press conference on Feb. 4, PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney commended state Sens. Robinson, Santarsiero, and Hughes for leading a bipartisan coalition to restrict student use of mobile devices during the school day. Senate Bill 1014 passed the Senate Feb. 3 by a vote 46-1.
February 4, 2026 at 8:34 PM
During a press conference on Feb. 4, PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney commended state Sens. Robinson, Santarsiero, and Hughes for leading a bipartisan coalition to restrict student use of mobile devices during the school day. Senate Bill 1014 passed the Senate Feb. 3 by a vote 46-1.
“Here at our school, I feel like if we raised support professional pay, we could get more people to want to be working in the school district,” said paraprofessional Kirstie Stayduhar. “We would have more paraprofessionals ... more support staff.”
https://bit.ly/46qmXEr
https://bit.ly/46qmXEr
Local lawmakers’ reactions to Shapiro budget plan mixed
During his annual budget address Tuesday before members of the state House and Senate, Gov. Josh Shapiro called on lawmakers to build on the progress Pennsylvania has made over the past three years wi...
bit.ly
February 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM
“Here at our school, I feel like if we raised support professional pay, we could get more people to want to be working in the school district,” said paraprofessional Kirstie Stayduhar. “We would have more paraprofessionals ... more support staff.”
https://bit.ly/46qmXEr
https://bit.ly/46qmXEr
Gov. Josh Shapiro has worked with legislators of both parties to secure more than $2.1B in new funding to help public school students across Pa. The budget he proposed Tuesday will put that figure at nearly $3 billion.
Read more 👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Read more 👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
February 4, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Gov. Josh Shapiro has worked with legislators of both parties to secure more than $2.1B in new funding to help public school students across Pa. The budget he proposed Tuesday will put that figure at nearly $3 billion.
Read more 👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Read more 👇
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
NEA President Becky Pringle (@neapresident.bsky.social) returns to "Duty Free Lunch" for a powerful and personal conversation about attacks on educators, the future of public education, and Pennsylvania's outsized role in protecting democracy.
🎧 Listen to this episode at www.psea.org/podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode at www.psea.org/podcast
February 4, 2026 at 3:30 PM
NEA President Becky Pringle (@neapresident.bsky.social) returns to "Duty Free Lunch" for a powerful and personal conversation about attacks on educators, the future of public education, and Pennsylvania's outsized role in protecting democracy.
🎧 Listen to this episode at www.psea.org/podcast
🎧 Listen to this episode at www.psea.org/podcast
During his budget address today, Gov. Shapiro proposed increasing the minimum wage in PA from $7.25 to $15 an hour.
Kirstie Stayduhar, a paraprofessional earning less than $15 an hour, attended the governor’s budget address.
Read more about Kirstie ⤵️
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Kirstie Stayduhar, a paraprofessional earning less than $15 an hour, attended the governor’s budget address.
Read more about Kirstie ⤵️
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
February 3, 2026 at 8:11 PM
During his budget address today, Gov. Shapiro proposed increasing the minimum wage in PA from $7.25 to $15 an hour.
Kirstie Stayduhar, a paraprofessional earning less than $15 an hour, attended the governor’s budget address.
Read more about Kirstie ⤵️
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Kirstie Stayduhar, a paraprofessional earning less than $15 an hour, attended the governor’s budget address.
Read more about Kirstie ⤵️
https://www.psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
PSEA President Aaron Chapin hailed the Governor's proposed FY 2026-27 state budget for continuing bold investments in Pa. public school students, including an overall increase of nearly $700 million in key funding for public schools.
Read more ⤵️
https://psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Read more ⤵️
https://psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
February 3, 2026 at 6:59 PM
PSEA President Aaron Chapin hailed the Governor's proposed FY 2026-27 state budget for continuing bold investments in Pa. public school students, including an overall increase of nearly $700 million in key funding for public schools.
Read more ⤵️
https://psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Read more ⤵️
https://psea.org/GovernorsFY2026-27Budget
Last week Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a social media post that he supports a bell-to-bell classroom cell phone ban.
PSEA agrees.
“Being able to limit what kind of distractions there are in a classroom just creates a better, well-rounded student," PSEA VP Jeff Ney told FOX43.
https://bit.ly/4kgV1c0
PSEA agrees.
“Being able to limit what kind of distractions there are in a classroom just creates a better, well-rounded student," PSEA VP Jeff Ney told FOX43.
https://bit.ly/4kgV1c0
Governor Shapiro pushes for school cell phone ban
Could banning cell phones improve student focus and safety? Governor Shapiro pushes for a school-wide ban. What do you think about staying connected vs. staying focused?
www.fox43.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Last week Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a social media post that he supports a bell-to-bell classroom cell phone ban.
PSEA agrees.
“Being able to limit what kind of distractions there are in a classroom just creates a better, well-rounded student," PSEA VP Jeff Ney told FOX43.
https://bit.ly/4kgV1c0
PSEA agrees.
“Being able to limit what kind of distractions there are in a classroom just creates a better, well-rounded student," PSEA VP Jeff Ney told FOX43.
https://bit.ly/4kgV1c0
It’s #NationalSchoolCounselingWeek! We’re proud to join the American School Counselor Association in recognizing the critical role school counselors play in supporting EVERY student in Pennsylvania. When our students are supported, there’s no limit to their success. 💛 #NSCW26
February 2, 2026 at 5:14 PM
It’s #NationalSchoolCounselingWeek! We’re proud to join the American School Counselor Association in recognizing the critical role school counselors play in supporting EVERY student in Pennsylvania. When our students are supported, there’s no limit to their success. 💛 #NSCW26
This #BlackHistoryMonth, PSEA honors and celebrates the remarkable achievements and rich history of the Black community, whose contributions have profoundly shaped our nation.
February 1, 2026 at 6:23 PM
This #BlackHistoryMonth, PSEA honors and celebrates the remarkable achievements and rich history of the Black community, whose contributions have profoundly shaped our nation.
Gov. Josh Shapiro called on legislators to pass a cellphone ban in Pa. schools.
“Students need to spend time focused on learning, on socializing with their peers..." he said on social media.
https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/shapiro-calls-for-cellphone-ban-in-pennsylvania-schools/
“Students need to spend time focused on learning, on socializing with their peers..." he said on social media.
https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/shapiro-calls-for-cellphone-ban-in-pennsylvania-schools/
Shapiro calls for cellphone ban in Pennsylvania schools
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -- Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) called on state legislators to pass a cellphone ban in Pennsylvania schools. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation back in October that wo...
www.abc27.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Gov. Josh Shapiro called on legislators to pass a cellphone ban in Pa. schools.
“Students need to spend time focused on learning, on socializing with their peers..." he said on social media.
https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/shapiro-calls-for-cellphone-ban-in-pennsylvania-schools/
“Students need to spend time focused on learning, on socializing with their peers..." he said on social media.
https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania-politics/shapiro-calls-for-cellphone-ban-in-pennsylvania-schools/
“It is unreasonable to expect teenagers to have the kind of willpower necessary to resist the temptation of the notification. It may even be immoral to put them in that position. We need strong legislation to contend with cell phones." https://bit.ly/3ZzvtgG
Opinion by a Bethlehem Area teacher: Schools need help in the battle for students’ attention
Opinion: Teachers aren’t up against daydreams anymore. We are battling algorithms.
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM
“It is unreasonable to expect teenagers to have the kind of willpower necessary to resist the temptation of the notification. It may even be immoral to put them in that position. We need strong legislation to contend with cell phones." https://bit.ly/3ZzvtgG
Congrats to 2025 PA TOY Leon Smith for being named a finalist for 2026 National TOY! 🎉#PSEAProud
Leon previously joined our podcast to discuss his work, the challenges public education is currently facing, and how we can rebuild the profession. Listen: https://bit.ly/3ZB9t54
Leon previously joined our podcast to discuss his work, the challenges public education is currently facing, and how we can rebuild the profession. Listen: https://bit.ly/3ZB9t54
January 29, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Congrats to 2025 PA TOY Leon Smith for being named a finalist for 2026 National TOY! 🎉#PSEAProud
Leon previously joined our podcast to discuss his work, the challenges public education is currently facing, and how we can rebuild the profession. Listen: https://bit.ly/3ZB9t54
Leon previously joined our podcast to discuss his work, the challenges public education is currently facing, and how we can rebuild the profession. Listen: https://bit.ly/3ZB9t54
"Richard Terpstra, an English teacher at Ridley High School and longtime adviser of the school’s Delco Hi-Q academic quiz team, will be featured on an upcoming episode of “Trivial Pursuit" airing 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, on The CW." https://bit.ly/45bnART
Ridley High School teacher to appear on TV’s ‘Trivial Pursuit’
Plus, Girl Scout Cookies go on sale this week, with one new flavor; foundations partner for competitive grantmaking cycle, with applications due by Feb. 19; the Delaware County Press Club’s n…
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 5:50 PM
"Richard Terpstra, an English teacher at Ridley High School and longtime adviser of the school’s Delco Hi-Q academic quiz team, will be featured on an upcoming episode of “Trivial Pursuit" airing 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, on The CW." https://bit.ly/45bnART