In December, the Pennsylvania House authorized $10 million in stipends for aspiring educators while they complete their student teaching. But much more is needed. How much more? This podcast was recorded before the Pennsylvania Higher Education

Talking COLA with PSEA-Retired members

13 days ago 22m 6s

Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael sit down with PSEA-Retired members Scott Brown and Jacqualyn James to talk about a much-needed cost-of-living-adjustment for our pre-Act 9 retirees. Nearly 43,000 public servants who retired before 2002 have not seen a

PSEA leadership unfiltered: The officers interview each other

27 days ago 23m 2s

As state officers for PSEA, Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael have made it their mission to be accessible to as many PSEA members as possible. What better way to do that than to lay it all out there on a special, self-reflective episode of Duty Free Lun

PSEA Board of Directors members Amy Lightner and Jimbo Lamb

May 15th, 2024 24m 8s

Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael are joined by fellow teachers and current PSEA Board of Directors members Amy Lightner and Jimbo Lamb, who share some potent memories from their own school days, the radical changes they've seen in the education landsca

PSEA local presidents roundtable

May 1st, 2024 25m 9s

Peek behind the curtain of PSEA leadership with local presidents Dwayne McCarthur, Erin Huwalt, and Raquel Gray. They talk with Aaron and Jeff about the challenges and surprises of being a local president, the importance of teamwork, their stra

New PSEA members speak out

Apr 17th, 2024 23m 29s

It's never easy being the new kid on the block. But new PSEA members Riley McGowan and Emily Goss have found a home in public education and in PSEA. Riley teaches music in the West Chester Area School District and Emily teaches special educatio

How to rescue a struggling local with North East ESP President Michael Spellman

Apr 3rd, 2024 24m 27s

Middle school instructional aide and North East ESP President Michael Spellman has only worked in his district for one year, and he's been president for almost as long. Hear how he turned his local association around and increased membership by

What does a PSEA UniServ do?

Mar 20th, 2024 20m 14s

What is the role of a PSEA UniServ anyway? In this episode, UniServ for the Southern Region Stephanie Cramer joins PSEA President Aaron Chapin and Treasurer Rachael West to break it all down. From contract negotiations to advocating for individ

Student teaching in Pennsylvania

Mar 6th, 2024 23m 40s

A conversation with Student PSEA members at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Emily Jett and Amber Bloom. Emily is the Student PSEA president and Amber is vice president. They join PSEA President Aaron Chapin and Vice President Jeff N

"What serves you serves your students" with PA Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson

Feb 21st, 2024 21m 56s

We sit down with the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson to discuss her award, her feelings on PSEA membership, and why she stands by the phrase, "what's good for teachers is good for students." Hosted by PSEA President Aaron C

Response to Gov. Shapiro's budget address

Feb 7th, 2024 23m 33s

The PSEA team discusses the high and low points of Gov. Josh Shapiro's Feb. 6 budget address for 2024-25. PSEA President Aaron Chapin, Vice President Jeff Ney, and Treasurer Rachael West are joined by PSEA Government Relations experts Dan Wiede

Conversation with NEA President Becky Pringle

Jan 24th, 2024 22m 4s

The PSEA officer team of President Aaron Chapin, Vice President Jeff Ney, and Treasurer Rachael West sits down with President of the National Education Association and proud PSEA member Becky Pringle to discuss her experience as the head of the

Inside state government and politics

Jan 10th, 2024 22m 13s

Welcome to the debut of “Duty Free Lunch” where we discuss the most relevant issues happening in the state Legislature and how they affect PSEA members. The hosts for this episode are PSEA President Aaron Chapin and PSEA Vice President Jeff Ney

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