Aaron and Rachael sit down with PSEA Assistant Directors of Education Services Gina Gullo and Michael Bogdan to explore the professional learning opportunities available to PSEA members. Learn about PSEA’s Center for Professional Learning and the PEARL platform, which offer flexible, free Act 48 and Chapter 14 credits through webinars, book studies, and NEA micro-credentials. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting out, PSEA's pro-learning opportunities have you covered.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Aaron and Rachael explore the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with special guests from York County School of Technology. Teacher Development Instructor Dr. Melissa-Ann Pero discusses her innovative teacher development program, which borrows from the Educators Rising curriculum, and its role in preparing the next generation of educators. Senior student Grace Rinehart shares what inspires and motivates her on her journey to become a teacher.

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

The PSEA officer team dives into the 2024 election and its potential impact on public education with Mary Kusler, NEA's Senior Director for the Center for Advocacy and Political Action. Mary shares insights on the political landscape, the importance of educators' involvement, and key issues like student loan debt, union rights, and federal funding for schools. Tune in as we discuss why this election could be the most consequential of our lifetimes and how educators can make their voices heard.

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael sit down with PSEA Executive Director Jim Vaughan to illuminate the inner workings of the Association. Jim shares his day-to-day responsibilities, discusses how members' voices shape PSEA’s decisions, and highlights recent successes in organizing and bargaining. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the people and projects that keep PSEA running smoothly, along with Jim's vision for the future of the organization.

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

The officer team sits down with PSEA Government Relations gurus Dan Wiedemer and Erika Brunelle to discuss the hits and misses for educators in the 2024-25 Pennsylvania state budget. 

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Join us for an in-depth discussion about PSEA’s Advocates for Children and Education, or “ACE”, program, which is one of the ways PSEA members can advocate directly to lawmakers in the Capitol for public education. Aaron and Rachael sit down with PSEA's own ACE Program Coordinator, Jen Statler,  as well as ACEs Melissa Costantino-Poruben, a mathematics teacher in the Avonworth School District, and PSEA President of Higher Education Gretchen Osterman.

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

Educators Rising is a national “Grow Your Own” program for high school students interested in a career in education, which has taken off in Pennsylvania over the past year with PSEA at the helm. Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael sit down to discuss this exciting program with PSEA Director of Education Services and Statewide Coordinator for Educators Rising Pennsylvania, Dr. Chris Clayton, as well as Educators Rising Teacher Leader at JP McCaskey High School in the School District of Lancaster, Amanda Funk.

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

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 Assistance Agency determined that a $45 million state appropriation is necessary to fund student teacher stipends for all eligible student teachers. Aaron and Rachael discuss the issue with PSEA Assistant Director of Government Relations Kelli Thompson and Student-PSEA Vice President Amber Bloom, who is a student at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

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 COLA in their pension in more than 20 years. Here are two of their stories. 

Click here to watch an interview Jacqualyn James did on this subject with "NBC Nightly News."

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Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.

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 Lunch? 

Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to [email protected]. 

Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast.