“A union is
like a family. It’s when a group of workers get together and try to make things
better for themselves and their children.” –Bud,
Not Buddy
Whether
you’re a freshman learning how to live on your own, a senior preparing to
embark on a new chapter of your life, or somewhere in the middle, drowning in
piles of lesson plans and reading assignments, we all can agree on one thing:
college is hard. It challenges you mentally, physically, emotionally, and
spiritually, sometimes leaving you feeling tired, helpless, and isolated. For
me, “home” quickly became a difficult concept. Not only am I living in a new
town for the first time, but out of all four years I’ve been in college, I’ve
lived in a different dorm room or apartment. Nothing has been the same. I
quickly learned to find a home in the people around me, rather than the place. I
quickly found a “home” in Student PSEA.
My name is
Marie Hutchings. I am a senior at Kutztown University, studying elementary and
special education. I love to dance, hike, and sail, I get joy out of making
people feel valued and loved, and I have a passion for advocating for what is
right and just in the world. I am the 2017-18 Student PSEA president, and I am truly
honored to have the opportunity to serve our 7,000 aspiring educators to the
best of my abilities.
Whether
you’re new to Student PSEA or a veteran servant leader, I’d like to welcome you
to a new year of memories, friendships, and making public schools great. If
you’re thinking about becoming a member, but you aren’t sure if it’s right for
you, I’m here to tell you: it is. We all want to be the best possible teachers
we can be for our future students, and there is no better outlet to provide you
that experience than Student PSEA. Don’t believe me? Just look at what a few of
our extraordinary aspiring educators from across the state have to say about
it:
“Student PSEA is
important to me because our students are our future, and we need to begin to
support and advocate for them now. Regardless of what our government chooses to
do, we will always stand up and fight for what’s best for our students.”
–Anna George, Edinboro
University
“To me, Student PSEA is an opportunity to not
only connect and learn from future and current educators, it's an opportunity
to learn how to stand up for what I believe in and get involved in my
community.” –Emily Ferguson, Bloomsburg University
“Student PSEA is an excellent way to
gain professional experience in a welcoming and relaxed environment.”
–Kara McGloin, West Chester University
"Student PSEA is a welcoming community of
future educators. We support each other as we prepare to be the best educators
we can be. This includes professional development, community service, and
political action. We want the best for our future careers and students."
–Kristin Naumann, Shippensburg University
“Student PSEA means being a part of something
that is a whole lot bigger than you and learning how to help others, while also
improving yourself as an educator.”
–Katie Flint, West Chester University
“I originally joined PSEA because I was just getting into the
education field. I really loved the support I received and the creative
environment I found through Student PSEA.” –Grace Fronheiser, Bloomsburg
University
“Student PSEA is a way to improve
things for the better of teaching, school systems, and children.”
–Nick Marcil, West Chester University
“I think that Student PSEA has given me
a voice as an aspiring educator to advocate for my students, coworkers, and
classmates. It has allowed me the opportunity to grow exponentially as an
emergent professional and nurtured my passion for lifelong learning.”
–Krishawna Goins, Penn State University
As the
president of Student PSEA, I want to work with all of you to help make the
future of public education great by cultivating a generation of leaders. As
educators, we have the opportunity to shape the future of our country, which
leaves us with the responsibility to take a stand against the intolerance and
hate that is emerging in the world our students will grow up in. By being
members of Student PSEA, we are a part of a collective force that can unify and
bring positive change, if we all work together.
As the
leader of a member-driven organization, my voice is your voice, and your voice
is our voice. It is not my duty to represent you, but to serve you, to give you
the tools and resources you need to stand up beside me as we fight together to
change the narrative of how our society views public education.
So, if
you’re a prospective member looking for your niche, don’t be afraid to get
involved at your local chapter. And if you’re a returning member feeling
inspired after last year’s conference, reach out to someone new at your school
and invite them to come along to your next meeting. A true servant leader
cultivates new leaders and ensures that the future of their organization is
left in better hands than their own. Be that leader for someone else. Help them
find a “home” in Student PSEA.
Student PSEA is your voice. Student PSEA is our voice. Get
involved today, and help us make the world a better place, one classroom at a
time.
“Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength
of one? For the union makes us strong!”
In solidarity,
Marie Hutchings, Student PSEA President
