Pitt-Greensburg APEX 2024-2025
Professional Development
Table of Contents
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NEA/RA 2024
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Conferences
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State Conference 2024
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Slippery Rock - Rock Solid Conference
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Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI)
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Superintendent Speaks Series
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Personalized Learning
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Interviewing and Preparation
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High Quality Learning Fitness
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Social Emotional Learning
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AI and Instruction
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Contract Workshop Series
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Workshops ​​
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​WIX workshop​​
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PSEA in your Career Mini-Workshop
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Professional Etiquette Mini-Workshop
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High School Students Interested in Teaching on Campus
NEA/RA 2024
Three of our members, Alice Evdokimova, Tyler Luffy, and Benjamin Myers, went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to attend the NEA AEC/RA. During this experience, our members went through professional development sessions and got the opportunity to network with Aspiring Educators from around the country. They got to see how certain states help their teachers and to think about ways that we could make a positive change in the education field here in Pennsylvania. Pitt-Greensburg was also recognized with the NEA Local Excellence Award. One of our own members, Amber Bloom, was recognized as the NEA Outstanding Local Leader!
Gettysburg New and Early Career School
In July of 2024, UPG members Amber Bloom, Emily Jett, Garrett Mock, and Emily Korenik attended the Summer Leadership Conference in Gettysburg. During the week, they learned how to navigate teacher contracts and collective bargaining, networked with new, current, and retired educators, talked with former Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, and learned more about the many things that the union has to offer!
Conferences
State Conference 2024
The 2024 SPSEA State Conference allows for Aspiring Educators to experience a professional conference and meet other educators from across the state. During the 2024 SPSEA State conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 27 Pitt-Greensburg SPSEA members attended. We had many students who were elected into regional and state positions. One of our own, Emily Korinek was elected as Southwestern Regional President while Tyler Luffy was elected as Regional PACE chair. In addition to region positions, Erika Christeleit became the SPSEA State Secretary and Alice Evodokimova as the PACE Director. Garrett Mock was also selected to be the student representative for the communication committee.
Slippery Rock University - Rock Solid Conference
Ten of our chapter's members attended the Rock Solid Conference held on Slippery Rock's campus on November 16, 2024. They bettered themselves as future educators by attending breakout sessions, participating in professional development, and getting advice from 2023 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Ryan Hardesty.
Members in attendance from left to right: Nick Malazia, Alexei Hurey, Garrett Mock, Emma Scott, Erika Christeleit, April Pompura, Sage Blair, Delaney Marzina, Devin Linsenbigler, and Ashley Nairn
Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI)
The Southwest Regional Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI) was held on February 22nd, 2025, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with the theme Power to Teach. There were approximately 60 Aspiring Educators from Pitt-Greensburg, PennWest- Cal, Saint Vincent, and Seton Hill in attendance. There were a plethora of breakout sessions to attend, including Classroom Management, SEL and Culturally Responsive Teaching, Differentiating Instruction, Problem-Based Learning, and many more! In addition to our breakout sessions the keynote speaker was the 2024 PA Teacher of the Year, Ashlie Crosson. We also had raffle baskets with the proceeds going towards PACE.
Superintendent Speaks Series
Superintendent Speaks Series
In the 2022-23 academic year, our university was approached by a local assistant superintendent who was frustrated about new teachers not knowing certain topics. He asked if he and other local administrators could come to Pitt-Greensburg and provide workshops for us to teach us important information about teaching an students. This led to the Superintendents Speak Series. Now in its third year, this program connects Pitt-Greensburg’s Student PSEA with local districts and provides our members with important information from the school districts in our region. Our members are able to learn valuable information at these monthly workshops and connect with local school districts.
Personalized Learning
Dr. Autumn Turk, Director of Curriculum and Development at Burrell School District, visited us and provided an interactive workshop on Personalized Learning. We were able to learn more about the topic and participate in activities for our future classrooms.
Interviewing and Preparation
Dr. Dan Clara, Assistant to the Superintendent at Southmoreland School District, presented on Interviews and Preparation. We were able to learn tips and tricks and how to be prepared before an interview.
High Quality Learning Fitness
Dr. Christopher Sefcheck, Superintendent at New Kensington-Arnold School District, presented on "High Quality Learning Fitness." We were able to learn how to promote a positive classroom environment to encourage learning and student success!
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Social Emotional Learning
Dr. Matt Conner, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, and Dr. Kim Rieffannacht, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, both from Hempfield Area School District, presented on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). We learned about SEL strategies, how to implement SEL practices, and how we, as teachers, can practice these strategies as well.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Instruction
Credit: kras99 - stock.adobe.com
Dr. Jason Boone, Superintendent at Southmoreland School District, presented on AI and Instruction. Our members were able to learn how to use AI as a tool as educators. We practiced using some AI programs as well to become familiar with the programs.
Workshops
Contract Workshop Series
This year, we implemented a new workshop series: Contracts 101- Everything You Need to Know! This workshop series had three sessions: salary schedules, healthcare, and "everything else." These workshops were presented by our fabulous UNISERV Rep. Johnathan Burnett. Our members were able to learn what to look for when reading a contract, which is information that is not covered by our classes.
WIX Workshop
Our chapter advisor and professor of education, Dr. Marks, held a workshop on how to use the website developer WIX. This workshop was to introduce and help students with using the website to create their professional portfolios.
PSEA In Your Career
During our general meeting on November 12th, 2024, we hosted Joe Steeves the Southwestern Region Vice-President to talk about PSEA in our future careers. We learned about our possibilities to grow in our union and how we can get involved with PSEA.
Professional Etiquette Mini-Workshop
During our general meeting on February 25, 2025, we had our UNISERV Representative, Johnathan Burnett, present on Professional Etiquette in the field. This presentation included information on socialization, professional dress, and overall professionalism.
High School Students Interested in Teaching On Campus
On two separate occasions, high school students from Charleroi High School and Southmoreland High School spent the day with UPG students. They attended several different classes with students, enjoyed lunch, and networked with some of our students, which included both elementary and secondary education students. During lunch, we played a Kahoot that taught the high school students some new information about education, such as majors, certifications, and professionalism. Engaging with students who are interested into getting involved in education is important to continue the great legacy of teaching!