Book bans are at an all-time high in the United States and the list of challenged titles continues to grow. This #BannedBooksWeek [Oct. 5-11] and #LetFreedomReadDay [Oct. 11], you can help defend books from censorship. Learn more: https://bannedbooksweek.org/let-freedom-read-day/

Join PSEA and NEA by celebrating #HispanicHeritageMonth in your classroom with Read Across America!📚 These picks honor Hispanic and Latino cultures, uplift diverse voices, and invite students of all backgrounds to learn and celebrate together. Learn more: https://bit.ly/41Y6rJV

Spooky season is officially underway, and one Pennsylvania educator who owns Bellefonte’s Union Cemetery gatehouse, a centuries-old property bordering the cemetery, was recently featured on HGTV's “Scariest House in America.” https://bit.ly/4pub9ce

October is recognized as #NationalHigherEducationMonth. PSEA is proud to celebrate and represent over 1,400 higher education faculty and staff across Pennsylvania. 🎓

The #MunicipalElection is right around the corner. Make sure these important election dates are on your calendar. 🗳️ Oct. 20: Last day to register to vote. Oct. 28: Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot. Nov. 4: Election day! For more info: www.vote.pa.gov.

What's it like having a literal zoo in your classroom? 🐢🦜🕷️ Teacher and Zoo in the Classroom founder Chelsea Geist joins a recent #DutyFreeLunch podcast episode to share how she started this program and the impact on students. Listen: www.psea.org/podcast

“School districts across Pennsylvania are feeling dramatic financial pressures because of the state’s failure to pass a budget. Without a budget agreement, more public schools are going to have to make tough decisions..." https://bit.ly/4niGnSb

Sept. 25 marks the 87th day of FY 2025-26 without a state budget, and our public schools have missed out on $3.76B in expected state payments. The typical school district in Pa. keeps enough money in reserve to afford 87 days of expenditures. Learn more: www.psea.org/budget.

"State Street Elementary staff members stepped behind the counter at McDonald’s in Edwardsville to help raise money for their students.... This fundraiser is for student activities, including the school store, rewards, and events throughout the year." https://bit.ly/3KEsU8J

"The Shapiro administration congratulated 13 schools, including multiple local ones, that have been selected as Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon Schools in 2025." https://www.abc27.com/news/top-stories/local-schools-among-pennsylvania-blue-ribbon-school-winners/

"By including trauma in a student’s health record, educators and support staff would be better equipped to provide timely interventions and prioritize services throughout a student’s time in the public school system." https://bit.ly/3VvZNXC

"Conducted and published by WalletHub, the Keystone State ranked as the 16th overall best for teachers in the country. Pennsylvania also ranked fifth overall when it came to states with the best teacher salaries." https://bit.ly/3IC1gsr

"When I talk about PSEA, I’m talking about our members. Because we are the union. And what we do, together as a union, is quite simple. We advocate for strong public schools. We speak out for the students we teach and care about." #PAPressClub

"Fourth-grade reading, only four states had statistically significant higher scores than Pennsylvania. In fourth grade math, only three states had statistically significant higher scores than Pennsylvania. We're doing all right compared to the nation." https://bit.ly/46GEpFn

Today, Sept. 22 at 12:30 p.m. 📺 PSEA President Aaron Chapin will address the Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon in Harrisburg. Watch the livestream at pcntv.com/schedule/?d=0.

"To help address this, leaders at Keystone Oaks and the Hempfield school districts implemented new programs in the last year to help address the national teacher shortage." https://bit.ly/3K2KMdt

Sept. is #SuicidePreventionMonth, a time spread hope and start conversations about the importance of #mentalhealth. Educators play an essential role in keeping students safe. Learn how we can play a role in addressing students' mental health: https://bit.ly/3VeJ3nK.

ICYMI... season three of PSEA's "Duty Free Lunch" podcast launched! In this episode, the PSEA officers and Executive Director discuss PSEA happenings, the current state of our politics, and what's in store for the 2025-26 membership year. 🎧 Listen: www.psea.org/podcast

"Superintendent Dr. Eric Briggs highlighted the district’s Ready, Set, School program, which seeks to help specific K-5 students make an easy transition back into the routine prior to the start of the school year." https://bit.ly/4miKBrH

Sept. 17 is recognized as #ConstitutionDay to commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. The Center of Civic Education offers K-12 educators educational resources about the history and impact of our nation's founding document at https://bit.ly/41Uh6VS.

Are you #VoteReady for Pennsylvania's Nov. 4 Municipal Election? 🗳 Check your voter registration status and more at www.pa.gov/agencies/vote. #NationalVoterRegistrationDay

Happy #HispanicHeritageMonth! This month, and all year round, PSEA proudly celebrates the diverse history, voices, and cultures of Hispanic communities and recognize their contributions to our society.

"PSEA gives me a voice." 🗣️ PSEA members have a strong voice to speak out for our public schools, our students, and our professions. Together, we advocate for issues that directly affect public education in Pennsylvania. Learn more about what it means to belong at www.psea.org/whybelong.

"The Pennsylvania State Education Association, or PSEA, has released a report on teacher pay, student performance, and school funding. It found teachers’ salaries have not increased at the same rate of inflation over the last 30 years." Watch: muckrack.com/broadcast/sa...

Today we remember the lives lost on 9/11 and honor the brave first responders who showed extraordinary courage. As educators, we reflect, we remember, and we teach the next generation about resilience and unity.

Take a look! www.psea.org/fundamentalfacts

PSEA compiled a comprehensive report to highlight key facts and data on Pennsylvania's public schools, educator and support staff compensation, school district staffing, funding, and enrollment, and student performance. Take a look at our findings at www.psea.org/fundamentalfacts.📊

Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Join us on September 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET for a free webinar designed to help ESPs and all educators manage stress, improve relationships, and enhance their overall sense of balance and fulfillment in the education profession. ✍🏻 Register today!

PSEA President Aaron Chapin joined officials with the PA School Business Officials Association and the PA Association of School Admins. to discuss school funding and the overdue state budget on Monday’s episode of The PCN Capitol Preview. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDo6CiUn6Dc&t=332s

"The PSEA estimates that schools throughout the commonwealth missed out on $1.75B in expected payments in July and August. Of that, nearly $50.6M was intended for Pittsburgh public schools, according to the union’s calculations." https://bit.ly/4ggqWHp

"A school district in the Lehigh Valley is piloting a new therapy dog program. Lucy is Catasauqua High School's newest 'Rough Rider.' The two-year-old Golden Retriever is the personal dog of CASD Career Coordinator Kim Flueso." https://bit.ly/4nisZgp

Back-to-school season is the perfect time to talk to your colleagues about the importance of union membership! Get our advice on how to have effective organizing conversations: https://bit.ly/4n6X3Mb

In our latest podcast episode, PSEA-PACE Chairperson Theresa Prato and Central York teacher Gina Grolemund talk about political organizing, winning school board seats, and how PSEA-PACE makes a real difference for public education. 🎧 Listen: www.psea.org/podcast

“(Student teachers) are not only living on a limited income — trying to make sure they have gas, trying to make sure they have groceries and food for themselves — but also doing those sustaining things for their students." https://bit.ly/4mcDWzu

"PSEA estimates public schools in Pennsylvania are starting the new school year without $1.75 billion in state funding." https://www.observer-reporter.com/news/local_news/2025/sep/03/school-districts-share-concerns-over-continued-state-budget-stalemate/

"PSEA helps me secure my future." Belonging to PSEA means you have the power to protect your salary, benefits, and pension, and have the legal rights to safe, healthy, and fair working conditions. Learn more about what it means to belong at www.psea.org/whybelong.

“In Lancaster alone, we’ve missed out on $23.7 million. That’s $23.7 million that could be going into our 20 schools and supporting our over 10,000 students." https://pennsylvaniaindependent.com/education/budget-schools-vouchers-teachers-union-legislature-shapiro-deadline-funding/

"Now two months beyond a budget deadline, state House & Senate members have fought over transportation, education & other funding priorities for months. This has resulted in frozen disbursements to recipients including school districts." https://yhoo.it/3JL79np

"Teachers aren’t the only school employees spending their own money to help. Lakeesha Bair-Myers, a social worker at a central Pa. school district, said she’s become an expert coupon clipper & bargain hunter as she stocks up on food & clothes for students."https://bit.ly/47rFe5Y

“In Sept., school districts are going to obviously go to reserve funds that they may have, but again a lot of districts across the state are inadequately funded, and they don’t have these kinds of funds just lying around.” - PSEA Pres. Aaron Chapin on CBS 21. Watch: https://bit.ly/460D8HL

Congrats to PSEA President Aaron Chapin for being named one of City & State PA's 2025 Who's Who in Labor! 🎉 Find the full list: https://bit.ly/4g4Fqdt

#HappyLaborDay! Today we're reminded of the continued importance of the labor movement and honor those who fought for the protection PSEA members depend and speak out on: fair pay, health care, safe workplaces, and respect. 📸: Artwork by Karen King, “Family Ties"

PSEA President Aaron Chapin joined fellow educators and education experts for a Back to School: Making the Grade Town Hall hosted by CBS 21 to discuss topics like the impact of social media on students, the impact of technology on the classroom, and more. Watch: https://bit.ly/4mL7kOo.

“There’s a lot of concern from community members, from teachers, from support staff as to whether or not we’re going to have enough money to do all the things that are critically important for our students. We need a budget to be passed ASAP.” https://bit.ly/3UQjucf

"When we need support, PSEA is there for us." 💪 PSEA’s strength comes not only from our 177,000 members, but from our beliefs, our values, and our passion. Every time we speak up for what we believe, we harness the power of collective action. Learn more at www.psea.org/whybelong.

"On Tuesday, educators and the PSEA rallied at the state Capitol, urging lawmakers to reach a deal and deliver the overdue funding. 'It’s time to pass a budget. It’s time to put real students in real classrooms ahead of politics.'”https://bit.ly/4oWxT4y

"They all have a lot of anxiety about the unfinished state budget. Our educators and support professionals are worried about what it could mean for our schools and our students now and in the weeks to come." https://bit.ly/4n3qO0j

Yesterday, Aug. 26, we called on state senators to pass a real FY 2025-26 state budget. Why? Because the state budget is nearly eight weeks OVERDUE. Our public schools & students have missed payments during July & Aug. that amount to $1.75B statewide. Learn more: www.psea.org/budget

“As a high school teacher, I see the distraction and I definitely want it out of my instructional time. But I also see a responsibility in teaching digital citizenship, and teaching students how to appropriately use their phones." https://bit.ly/4n2VUoJ