In our latest podcast episode, Spring Grove teacher Jason Baker talks about his innovative anthropology and archaeology program, where students design civilizations, bury artifacts, and conduct real digs on school grounds. 🎧 Listen: www.psea.org/podcast

“It was good to hear from actual teachers and have more of a conversation with them,' said Miller, a sophomore majoring in early childhood/special education. 'I think it gave me some good insight into what I need to think about going into education.'” https://bit.ly/4aEP83U

Grateful for the recommendation from @pseaorg.bsky.social as we continue this re-election campaign. As the product of public schools, I’m proud to stand with the educators who show up for our kids every single day—and I’ll keep fighting for strong public schools and respect for our teachers. 🍎✊

PSEA is recommending Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis for reelection in 2026. Recommendations were made by PSEA’s Political Action Committee for Education and approved by PSEA’s Board of Directors. Read more: www.psea.org/shapiro-davis-2026

"The Pennsylvania State Education Association and other teachers unions, along with PA Unplugged, a grassroots group advocating for phone-free schools, have been supportive of the bell-to-bell policy." https://bit.ly/4kJ445K

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson. Today, I celebrate the life of a giant who was a pillar of justice for labor, education, and communities across this nation. May we carry forward the hope that he kept alive and remember that justice is a collective responsibility.

It was an honor to join the hosts of Duty Free Lunch for their latest episode—have a listen ⬇️

I met with PA @pseaorg.bsky.social @neatoday.bsky.social teachers this week in DC. They shared heartbreaking stories from our community about kids who are too scared to come to school, afraid that they, or someone in their family, will be taken by ICE. The American people have had enough of this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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

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.

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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/

“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

"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

“Establishing a consistent, statewide expectation that public schools must restrict the possession and use of mobile devices for all students is desperately needed." https://bit.ly/3Z2qBjV

Jan 27 Webinar: @neatoday.bsky.social & JCPA will come together on International Holocaust Remembrance Day for a critical webinar on understanding antisemitism and the growing threat it poses to students, educators, and all of our communities. Join the conversation: nea-org.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

On #InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay, we remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust and honor the survivors by uplifting their stories and experiences, ensuring this dark past is never forgotten.

"Pittsburgh Public Schools is working to bolster its teacher pipeline from multiple ends. The district plans to launch a new on-the-job credentialing program for paraprofessionals interested in becoming certified teachers next school year." https://bit.ly/4pSCLqt

We invite you to join NEA and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs for a virtual event commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. Register: https://bit.ly/4622Egv.

“...Our members are happy to have the collective bargaining agreement settled so that we can solely focus on our work in the classroom.” https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/highlands-teachers-seal-5-year-early-bird-contract/

Last night, I was heartened to join parents, students, and community members for Color of Change's webinar on voucher schemes. We discussed the dangers of vouchers—and how we can all come together to resist them.

Wear blue tomorrow, January 23, as a visible sign that we stand together—across state lines and across communities—in support of safe, welcoming public schools where children can learn without fear. #ICEOutSchools

"Board Member Michael Vasill, who’s been a prominent voice for allowing a therapy dog, cited both the emotional and academic benefits that the dog can provide to students and staff." https://bit.ly/4qApRyN

Our latest podcast features Erick Leiva, a CTE instructor & CTC graduate who’s helping students turn hands-on learning into real careers. He shares why CTC programs work, why funding & awareness matter, & why CTE is anything but a backup plan. Listen: www.psea.org/podcast

January is when we look back at the year behind us—and build our power for the year ahead.

On #MLKDay, we reflect on the values that unite us as PSEA members. Dr. King's commitment to fairness, justice, peace, and nonviolent action mirrors the principles that guide our work every day.

"If a child knows that, when they walk into our public schools, they are going to be provided a meal, the insecurity of where their next meal comes from is lifted off of their shoulders." https://bit.ly/4qqLdP2?

“We can tell the moment they walk in when something isn’t quite right, and when a child is hungry that hunger dominates their attention far before instruction even begins,” Jeff Ney, VP of the PSEA, said. https://bit.ly/45IgVyK

On what would have been his 97th birthday, America’s unions celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the longstanding bond between the labor and civil rights movements. We honor that legacy by building worker power and fighting for a more just country every day.

PSEA VP Jeff Ney testified Wednesday during a Pa. House Majority Policy Committee hearing, where he called on lawmakers to support legislation that would establish a state fund to ensure all students have access to school lunch. www.psea.org/universalschoolmeals

"After months of stalled negotiations and teachers working without a contract, the Shippensburg Area School District Board unanimously approved a new agreement Monday night." https://bit.ly/4pO2u3C