Stepping Up in Student PSEA

As a freshman at Clarion University, I never would have pictured myself where I am today, the state president of Student PSEA, as well as a leader in other organizations on my campus. Student PSEA became a huge part of my life when I attended my first conference in April 2014.

Student PSEA provides numerous leadership opportunities to members at the annual Student PSEA State Conference and Convention. Some of these opportunities include leadership positons at the state, region, and chapter level. Other opportunities include being a student representative on a PSEA committee, attending the NEA SLC/RA, or attending the PSEA Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference Student Track. Information about all of these opportunities are below. Links for more information and to apply for positions are located at the end of this post.

State Level Leadership Opportunities

(2016-2017 Student PSEA Committee)

 

Nominations for the positions of President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and PACE Coordinator are made during the Student PSEA House of Delegates, held in conjunction with the annual convention. Nominees must be present to accept the nomination and complete the candidate nomination form to be declared a candidate for the position in question.

State President: The president presides at all meetings, appoints all committees, and serves as an ex-officio member of committees. The president is a member of the PSEA Board of Directors and must be able to attend all scheduled Board of Directors meetings (10 meetings a year). He/she is the spokesperson and the representative for Student PSEA at meetings and conferences. 

State Vice President: The vice president assists the president, as needed. He/she will assume the office of president in the event of absence or a vacancy or will substitute for the president when necessary at statewide meetings. The vice president also serves on the IPD committee. 

State President-elect: The president-elect must have two years of schooling remaining upon election. The president elect serves as the president’s shadow, learning the responsibilities and duties of the position they assume the following year. 

State Secretary: The secretary assists the president and the vice president as needed, records the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Council and State Convention, replies to correspondence, and maintains a file of all communications. 

State PACE Coordinator: The PACE coordinator will attend two meetings (three if the Political Institute takes place that year) of the PSEA-PACE Board of Directors as the Student PSEA representative and perform duties delegated. Following these meetings, it is the responsibility of the PACE representative to report procedures from the meeting to the president of Student PSEA.

Region Level Leadership Opportunities

(Northwest Region Board Pictured above
with Northwest region at the 2017 Western Conference)

During the annual convention, each region shall conduct its own caucus at which it shall elect its officers. Officers shall be nominated and elected in the order of President, Vice President, Secretary, Student PSEA Liaison to the House of Delegates, and PACE Coordinator.

Region President: The president presides at all region meetings, plans region meetings and events, works on the Student Executive Committee, and builds and develops relationships within their appointed region. The president is the spokesperson and the representative for their region and its members during meetings and conferences.

According to Article IV of Student PSEA Constitution, responsibilities of the region president include: submitting a region report to the president of Student PSEA by the start of every month, distributing this copy of monthly reports to local chapters, conducting at least one region meeting and region event, and updating a region directory

Region Vice President: The vice president assumes all responsibilities assigned by the region president. He/she works to enhance relations among chapters in the region and performs such duties as prescribed in the region constitution and bylaws.

Region Secretary: The secretary assists the president and the vice president as needed, records the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Council and State Convention, replies to correspondence, and maintains a file of all communications.

Region PACE Chair: The PACE chair shall plan region political workshops and voter registration drives to raise awareness for pro-public education candidates.

Region House of Delegates Representative: If you are elected to represent Student PSEA at the PSEA House of Delegates, you can expect to witness democratic process in action. Although student delegates are not eligible to vote on items at the House of Delegates, you will join with active members from the region you represent.

The PSEA House of Delegates is held twice a year – in May and December. Like the Business Meeting portion of the Student PSEA Conference and Convention, the House of Delegates is where the official business of PSEA is conducted. Elected delegates vote for state officers, and proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws; propose items for consideration; and vote on new and proposed business items.

Chapter Level Leadership Opportunities

 Shippensburg University Chapter Executive Board & Edinboro University Chapter Executive Board

Nominations for chapter level positions are taken at individual Student PSEA chapter meetings at the chapter’s discretion. Each Student PSEA Chapter must have a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Chapter President: Works closely with the chapter advisor, seeking advice and help in the promotion of an effective state and chapter program. Maintains communications with the state student chairperson/president. Provides for the chapter by being informed, interested, considerate, and dedicated to local, state, and national student program. Presides at regular and special meetings and at chapter committee meetings. Plans each meeting carefully, and answers all correspondences promptly. Reports activities and sends newsletters to state organizers.

Chapter Vice President: Assists the president when requested. Picks up ideas from members and pass them on to the president and advisor. Assumes official host duties unless someone else has been assigned to do so, especially with guest speakers. Is involved in membership development.

Chapter Secretary: Works closely with the chapter advisor. Keeps notes during the meeting and types minutes soon afterward (within 10 days and distributes to officers). Records names of persons who make and second motions, and reports all action items. Has minutes of previous meeting, a list of committees, copies of the state and local constitution, and the bylaws on hand at each meeting. Reads the minutes of the meetings and calls the president’s attention to unfinished business.

Chapter Treasurer: Transmits dues to the state association. Keeps financial records up-to-date, including addresses of members. Disperses chapter funds for local expenses. Works with other officers to establish annual chapter budget.

Student Representative to a PSEA Committee

Nominations for student representatives to a PSEA Committee are taken on the floor at the Student PSEA State Conference and Convention. PSEA has a number of committees which encourage student participation. Committee meetings are typically held in Harrisburg three times a year (Sept. 1-Aug. 31) and authorized travel expenses are reimbursed.

(Cindy Severi, Student PSEA Representative to the 

PSEA Special Education Board)

Communications Committee: The Communications Committee assists the association with gathering and disseminating information related to challenges to teaching materials, resources, and techniques from any organization with an agenda to dismantle public education.

Intergroup Relations Commission: The Intergroup Relations Commission (IRC) initiates proposals for improving intergroup relations in schools and for ensuring equal educational opportunity for every child in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It performs other duties and assignments as delegated to it by the PSEA Board of Directors.

Leadership Development Committee: The Leadership Development Committee (LDC), through careful planning and direction, develops, monitors, and enhances leadership training to provide services for our members, who foster quality public education for all students.

Legislative Committee: The Legislative Committee is one of two elective committees established by the PSEA bylaws. The purpose of the committee is to prepare the association’s legislative program for presentation to the House of Delegates, after approval by the Board of Directors. It scrutinizes all proposed legislation, which may affect education in the state and seeks and executes the instructions of the Board of Directors concerning that legislation.

Resolutions Committee: The Resolutions Committee is one of two elective committees. The purpose of the committee is to review, develop, and revise PSEA resolutions. The Committee reports its proposed resolutions and amended resolutions to the House of Delegates at the December and May Houses of Delegates. A PSEA resolution is a statement of belief, intent, or position of PSEA. Currently, PSEA has four specific goal areas: (1) to promote the general educational welfare of the state; (2) to advance educational standards; (3) to foster professional zeal; and (4) to advance educational standards.

Minority Affairs Committee: The Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) increases awareness and encourages involvement on the part of ethnic minority members in programs on the local, regional, state, and national levels. The committee provides input into the association’s NEA bylaw 3.1 (g) plan and the Gettysburg minority scholarship program. The committee also reviews and assesses association goals, objectives, programs, and long-range plans to ensure that ethnic minority concerns are addressed.

Professional Rights and Responsibilities Commission (PR&R): The PSEA Professional Rights and Responsibilities Commission’s (PR&R) promotes professional conduct and defends member rights under the Code of Ethics/Bill of Rights and due process guarantees.

Special Education Board: The Special Education Board provides representation of district and intermediate unit special education teachers on a committee which provides communications to and seeks appropriate feedback from the membership, and serves in an advisory capacity to PSEA leadership.

 

 (Student PSEA Members at the 2017 PSEA Special Education Conference)

Running for NEA SLC/RA

(Student PSEA Members at the 2016 NEA SLC)

What is the NEA SLC/RA? NEA SLC/RA stands for the National Education Association Student Leadership Conference and Representative Assembly. At the NEA SLC, aspiring educators from across the United States come together with one thing in common – their passion for public education! Each year aspiring educators receive professional development in a variety of sessions. They hear from amazing keynote speakers, and have the opportunity to run for national level positions. 

At the NEA RA, aspiring educators blend in with current and retired educators, also known as EA members. We sit with our respective regions in our states and we experience the democratic process that takes place to encourage high quality, public education for all students. Each year those who attend make great connections and network with other educators and aspiring educators from across the United States. It is one of the most exciting and thrilling opportunities that you could experience. I highly recommend running for a spot to attend.

For a second year in a row, we have decided to provide this opportunity to more members. Each year, around 15 student members attend the NEA SLC and RA. Last year and again this year, we will also be sending another 15 students to the NEA SLC. The top 10 nominees who receive the most votes during the voting process will attend the NEA SLC and RA with the incoming Student PSEA Executive Board. The next 15 nominees with the top votes will have the opportunity to attend the NEA SLC portion of the conference only.

This year, we have decided to adapt the nomination to create a smoother nomination process as well as provide more time for nominations of state-level officers. This year’s nomination process for the NEA SLC/RA will be as follows:

                    1. Each student member interested in attending the NEA SLC/RA will sign their name
            on a list for their region indicating interest.

      

          2.  Each student member who signs the list indicating interest will then be required to
              fill out the Google form with contact information and a short description of why you
              are interested in attending.

          3. Nominations will then be taken on the floor. The Nominating Committee from each
             region will nominate all members from that region.

(Student PSEA Members at the NEA RA)

Running for the Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference

*Must be 21 by the time of the conference to apply*

(Student PSEA Members at the 

PSEA Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference)

For the second year in a row, the PSEA Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference will be featuring a Student Track! Last year we were able to take 14 student members. This year, we are hoping to take more! We have scholarships provided to pay for the conference. Some regions also graciously provide scholarships to student members should Student PSEA give out all of their scholarships. 

All meals on campus are paid for, the dining options are the food court or the lunch tent that provides different lunches throughout the week. You get to stay in a dorm on the Gettysburg College campus with other Student PSEA members. This experience teaches you so much about the union that supports you through your career. I truly believe that this conference is something that every aspiring educator should attend in the year before they graduate. You learn so much more than what you would learn in a classroom about your profession. Look below for more information and how to apply!

(Student PSEA Members getting ready for a class at Gettysburg)

All of these opportunities have provided to be invaluable experiences. I have learned so much about my union and I became more passionate about public education through each of these experiences. The Student PSEA State Conference and Convention is just the beginning of a world of possibilities!

More information about the Student PSEA State Conference and Convention, NEA SLC/RA, and Gettysburg, including testimonials! – http://studentpsea2013.wixsite.com/studentpseaconf

More information about the Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference – https://prezi.com/fnde8_6smd8n/psea-gettysburg-leadership/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Region Level Officer Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecPHnIKDuoVTzDJsfurdhB3hdwtrg7zaNEcXFdUW_TzynvCA/viewform

Student Representative to a PSEA Committee Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15RXbZhhhw1V5tmwOSI0fjBmKYIhnElaWMXIHJuGll_I/viewform

NEA SLC/RA Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pNRGst69J6eZoMUAVIzD7vwJ-tYzdicrLX534BdYOn4/edit?usp=drive_web

PSEA Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pNRGst69J6eZoMUAVIzD7vwJ-tYzdicrLX534BdYOn4/edit?usp=drive_web

            Shelby Pepmeyer,

State President

Growing as an Educator

Professional development is one of the top reasons individuals attend conferences. I know my decision to attend my first Student PSEA Conference and Convention was based solely on the fact that I would be receiving professional development in a variety of areas. Attending the Student PSEA Conference and Convention gives you the opportunity to expand your horizons, and learn about new trending topics in the classroom and tools to use in the classroom. It gives you the opportunity to look beyond the book and hear from others who have experience in the field.

his year’s conference features breakout sessions on topics that include; transitioning from college to career, special education, diversity in the classroom, Genius Hour, balancing high standards with student-driven learning, advice from the past and present PA Teachers of the Year, Autism Spectrum Disorder, student engagement/student-centered activities, designing a future ready classroom, first year out of college advice, classroom management, how to stand out in a job search, using learning to solve real world problems, and more.

Each of the sessions will be presented by remarkable educators. Educators who we look up to as mentors and guides to help us become the best educators we can be. We will make connections and learn many great ideas for our own classrooms. This year’s topics have expanded to new ideas that we have never explored before and I am so excited to share all of them with you!

This year’s Student PSEA Conference and Convention keynote speakers are A.J. Juliani and Anthony Gabriele. Here are their bios from our conference website:

A.J. Juliani is the director of technology and innovation at Centennial School District. Previously, Juliani worked as an education and technology innovation specialist for the Upper Perkiomen School District, and a K-12 technology staff developer in the Wissahickon School District, where he also taught middle school and high school English.

Juliani's latest book, "Inquiry and Innovation in the Classroom: Using 20% Time, Genius Hour, and PBL to Drive Student Success," is currently available from Routledge Press. Juliani was also an ISTE faculty and instructional consultant with the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools project. He has been an invited speaker to the ISTE Leadership Forum (2012), the VILS Virtual Conference (2013), and presented at a number of education conferences and workshops. As co-founder of Education Is My Life and CES, Juliani is working toward solving some of the biggest issues in education through collaboration.

Juliani spent two summers in South Africa and Swaziland, volunteering at an AIDS clinic; running camps for kids; and preparing a community structure to be used for a medical clinic, church, school, and food shelter. Since then, Juliani has taken on the role of webmaster and education consultant for Swaziland Relief, which just started their six-building school this winter.

In Juliani’s recently released book, "Inquiry and Innovation in the Classroom,” he reveals the ways that teachers can use Google’s 20% Time, Genius Hour, and Project-Based Learning to make students more creative, inquisitive, engaged in learning, and self-motivated – the kind of people we need to move society forward.

Juliani received his Master of Science degree from Drexel University in “Global and International Education.” He is the founder of Project: Global Inform, a project that gives students the power to do something about human rights violations. Juliani is also involved in the “Flat Classroom Project,” and is a Microsoft Innovative Educator. He's currently running the "20% Time MOOC" and writing about inquiry-driven learning.

Anthony Gabriele is currently the supervisor of curriculum and instruction for the Garnet Valley School District, as well as senior adjunct faculty with the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Literacy Network.

Throughout his career, Gabriele has worked as a grades 7-12 English Language Arts teacher and a K-12 instructional staff developer, with a specific focus on integrating literacy, technology, and curriculum. During this time, he has taught and co-taught everything from academic-level inclusion English to advanced placement English, co-authored a number of English and science curricula, served as a Classrooms for the Future teacher, worked with school teachers from Detroit to Baltimore to New Jersey, and maintained his blog at www.anthonyjgabriele.com.

Gabriele also worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to build PA Core-aligned instructional frameworks, and, in partnership with Apple, iTunes University courses to support educators in their work with the PA Core standards. Currently, Gabriele is working with the U.S. Department of Education on the #GoOpen movement. 

Outside of work, Gabriele is co-owner in a real estate business, regularly hikes the Appalachian Trail, is a former lacrosse coach/junkie, and is happily married to his wife Erin. They have four-year-old twins.

Both A.J. and Anthony have taught ELA and are enthusiastic about technology in the classroom. This is a presentation different from any that we’ve seen over the last four years. As time goes on, technology becomes more prevalent in our lives and our future students’ lives. There is no way to keep your classroom 100% technology-free. It would be doing a disservice to your students by denying them access to resources to help them learn and grow.

Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers is transformational.”
 - George Couros

When we hear from these two amazing educators, we will learn how to incorporate our growing world of technology into our small classrooms with our students. We will be inspired to be innovative and hand learning over to our students. They are our future, we are just their tour guides.

Come ready to learn and be inspired, and I’ll look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh, where we will build bridges today for tomorrow’s leaders!

(More detailed information about breakout sessions can be found at 
 https://www.psea.org/uploadedFiles/Student/Student_Resources/StudentConferenceSessionDescriptors.pdf) 

Student President,

Shelby Pepmeyer 

 

Community Service in Education

Student PSEA’s four pillars include Professional Development, Community Service, Leadership and Membership Development, and Political Action and Advocacy. All of these are represented at the Student PSEA Conference and Convention.

Each year, Outreach to Teach and the food bank drive for the Harrisburg Downtown Daily Bread “Food Plus” program highlight the Community Service pillar at the conference.

Downtown Daily Bread Food Bank Drive

The food bank drive is a chapter competition to see who can bring the most “high need” items to donate to the Harrisburg Downtown Daily Bread “Food Plus” program.

Here are some details about this cause, from the organization:

“Downtown Daily Bread (DDB) is an emergency kitchen which provides a nourishing, hot meal for the poor and homeless of downtown Harrisburg. This is done at no cost to the recipient. The simple, but nutritious food is served from 12:30-1:30 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays.

DDB operates under the philosophical belief that all human beings are created equally. Men, women, and children of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds and socioeconomic levels deserve to have their basic human needs met. All human beings should have access to food, shelter, and clothing. DDB strives to feed the hungry and provide basic human services for the poor and homeless.

DDB believes that people deserve second chances and the opportunity to change. Mistakes made in one’s life do not have to negatively impact a person’s chance for future livelihood and independence. DDB offers an outstretched arm to those in need and to those suffering from mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, and prior legal offenses. Opportunity to rise above past offenses, situations, and personal issues are inherent in the services DDB provides.”

Our act of kindness goes a long way for these people. Sometimes we forget that we are so fortunate to be going to school and getting a college education. While we may not have money to buy the things we WANT, others are suffering because they don’t even have enough money to buy the things they NEED, like food or items to bathe, like shampoo and soap.

This year, we are asking that conference attendees bring their complimentary items from the hotel to the conference, so that we can donate them to Downtown Daily Bread.

These include shampoos, soaps, conditioner, etc.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

Outreach to Teach

Outreach to Teach is our most anticipated event at conference! We plan for over a year, picking a school in an area close to the location of the state conference. We meet with the principal(s) and superintendent(s). We take a walk through of the school a few times to gage projects and get ideas for areas to beautify and refurbish. We calculate the cost of materials and apply for grants to help fund the project. A lot of hard work and effort goes into making this amazing community service project happen and it couldn’t be done without the work of the Outreach to Teach Subcommittee!

Meet your 2016-2017 Student PSEA Outreach to Teach Subcommittee!

Sam Nagel – State Secretary

Maria Wittman – State Vice President

 Marie Hutchings – State President-Elect

These three leaders have worked so hard to create projects, develop supply lists, and estimate costs to apply for grants. Without their strong servant leadership skills and dedication, we could not have pulled off this project!

At Cornell School District, grades K-12 are located on one campus in Coraopolis with separate wings for elementary and secondary instruction. Approximately 675 students attend kindergarten through grade 12. This school has been partially updated over the years.

Our main projects this year include repainting the entire auditorium, and the elementary and junior high hallways. We have completed one prep day to paint half of the junior high hallway. We are planning a second day to prep the elementary hallway. The difficulty with the walls in this school are that the blocks have deep crevasses. This makes it difficult and time consuming to paint the walls. It also makes it difficult to paint murals. This year’s project will be focused less on detail and more on covering large areas. Below are pictures that show different areas that we will be beautifying as well as a before and during picture of the junior high hallway from our first prep day!

Junior High Hallway Before

During Prep Day (painted over halfway down the wall

to prepare for royal blue paint on the bottom.

 Walls will have this design once finished

Elementary Library (mural)

 Murals for the walls in the nurses office

 

Large Auditorium

 

 Brick walls with deep crevasses

Along with these projects, there will be other miscellaneous projects. A list of projects can be found under Outreach to Teach information on www.psea.org/studentconference. When registering for the 2017 Student PSEA Conference and Convention, you will be able to choose one of the project teams to be on. Each project is unique and important! The faculty and superintendent are so excited to see the finished product.

Community service is such a great way to show others how much we care about education and students. I hope you are just as excited about this project as we are! I can’t wait to see how we all show our servant leadership skills at this year’s Outreach to Teach project.

Don’t forget your items for the food bank drive and I’ll see you in Pittsburgh, where we will build bridges today for tomorrow’s leaders!

  

Shelby Pepmeyer

State President