SPSEA General Assembly Meeting

9/7/16 7:30 PM Recitation 301

9/7/16 7:30 PM Recitation 301

1. Welcome Sara Nyholm (President)
a. We need you!
i. Be generous with your time and excited
2. What SPSEA is all about Kathleen Calvin (Vice President)
a. Four pillars
i. Membership and leadership development
1. All about you!
2. Building relationships and opportunities to network
3. Meet the people who are sitting next to you
a. These people will always have your back
ii. Community service
1. Special Interest groups
a. EGP/Literacy
b. MGP/Secondary Ed.
c. Special Ed.
d. Play
2. Get involved at the Melton Center, West Chester Area
Day Care, West Chester Public Library, and more
iii. Political Action and Advocacy
1. Very important, especially with upcoming election
2. YOUR voice is powerful
3. Resources you need to become an aware educator
iv. Professional Development
1. Not many other organizations do this
2. Examples
a. What the first day of teaching will be like?
b. Yoga in the classroom
c. Conferences
i. Region-wide
ii. Statewide
3. You will learn from the best of the best
4. You will take what you learn into your own classroom
v. Please get involved in all pillars!
3. Flashback to last year Julia Cooperstein (Historian)
a. Video of pictures from last year
i. Previewing our four pillars
b. We have a lot of fun!
i. Great friendships and relationships
4. Follow us on social media! Julia Cooperstein (Historian)
a. Facebook: WCU Student PSEA
b. Twitter: @WCU_SPSEA
c. Instagram: spseaofwcupa
i. Stay informed!
ii. (Minute to follow our pages)
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5. How to join SPSEA Isabella Montalvo

a. Register or renew membership
i. https://www.psea.org/apps/students.aspx
ii. In order to be an active member of our chapter, you must
register through the website.
b. Join us on OrgSync
i. https://orgsync.com/login/west-chester-university-of-
pennsylvania
ii. You will need to use OrgSync to view minutes, other
important documents, and to stay updated.
c. Emails from Isabella to follow to remind.
6. Note from our Advisor Dr. Bell
a. GET READY.
i. What is going to make you different from everybody else
graduating?
b. Choose to learn to lead in the field of education.
c. Choose to serve.
i. MELTON CENTER
1. Serves children after school
2. Become an after-school tutor
a. What experience do you have teaching?
d. Get involved!
e. Get your friends to join!!
f. Opportunities to grow and learn
g. We are the largest organization on campus.
h. Join our Special Interest Groups.
i. Caleb Kupa
i. Board of Directors of NEA in Washington, DC.
1. 1 of 3 in the country
j. Awards and scholarships available at state or local level.
k. We want YOU!
l. Think of this organization about a please where you belong.
7. Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Overview
a. EGP and Literacy SIG Melissa Heisler
i. Events
1. Community Service
a. 1-2-3 Play-with-Me Session
i. Friday, 9/23 9:00 AM
ii. West Chester Public Library
b. Lego Night
i. Monday, 9/26 6:30 PM
ii. West Chester Public Library
2. Membership Development
a. EGP SIG Social
i. Thursday, 9/29 6:30 PM
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ii. Location TBD

b. Secondary Education SIG Siena Catanzaro
i. Events
1. Membership Development
a. Sunset Social with Special Education SIG,
location & time TBD
c. Special Education SIG Nicole Schiff
i. Events
1. Membership Development
a. Sunset Social with Secondary Education SIG,
location & time TBD
d. Play SIG Maddie Conte
i. Events
1. Membership Development
a. Play SIG Book Club, location & time TBD

Executive Board:
President Sara Nyholm
Vice President/President Elect Kathleen Calvin
Secretary Isabella Montalvo
Treasurer Alexa Temparali
Historian Julia Cooperstein
Political Action and Advocacy (PACE) Chair Alison Chapman

10/5/16 7:30pm- SSL 151

1. Sara Nyholm, President Intro
a. Layout of meetings
i. 30 minutes whole group, 30 minutes in SIG breakouts
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b. Introduction of Special Interest Group Chairs available at

breakouts
i. EGP SIG Melissa Heiseler
ii. MGP/Secondary SIG Siena Catanzaro
iii. Special Education SIG Nicole Schiff
iv. Play SIG Kelsey Foreman (proxy for Maddie Conte)
c. Welcome new members!!!!
2. Kathleen Calvin, Vice President/President Elect Member of the Month
a. Congratulations to Rachel Lockley!!!
i. Nominated by Play SIG for attended events and sharing
new ideas at the Play SIG Social
ii. Given a Wawa gift card from SPSEA of WCU
b. Member to be chosen every month and given a gift card
3. Alexa Temparali, Treasurer Saving Money through SPSEA
a. As members of SPSEA, we are also members of PSEA, the
teacher union, and therefore receive their benefits!
i. Go to www.psea.org/mb
b. We are also members of NEA (National Education Association)
and receive benefits there as well
i. Can be accessed from link above
c. Time to go shopping and save money through SPSEA!!!!!
4. Ali Chapman, Political Action & Advocacy (PACE) Chair Registering to
vote & NEA Support
a. Whos on Board with Public Education?
i. Joe Torsella for Treasurer
ii. Eugene DePasquale for Auditor General
iii. Josh Shapiro for Attorney General
iv. Katie McGinty for US Senate
v. Hillary Clinton for President!!!!
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH AND MAKE AN EDUCATED
VOTE
b. Register to vote-Your voice matters!
i. Ali to hold voter registration booth during SIG breakouts
c. Secretary Clinton is the only candidate who supports public
education.
5. Isabella Montalvo, Secretary Orgsync calendar & membership points
a. Thank you to those who have already come to our events and
those who are here for the first time! Keep participating and
advocating!!!
b. Orgsync calendar
i. Join our page on OrgSync
ii. Go to our events tab to see our calendar of events for the
semester mark your own calendars for the events you are
interested in!
c. Membership points
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i. We want to recognize our most active members by looking

at points
ii. Point system
1. Community service SIGs
a. 1 point per hour
2. Membership/Leadership Development meetings
and socials
a. 1 point per event
3. Professional Development panels and conferences
a. 2 points per speaking events
b. 4 points per conference
4. Political Action & Advocacy (PACE) speakers and
voter registration
a. 1 point per speaking event
b. 1 point per hour for volunteer events
iii. Three levels of membership It is easy to achieve these
levels! We already have members who are already at
bronze!!
1. Bronze member 8+ points
2. Silver member 12+ points
3. Gold member 16+ points
iv. Points are accumulated from Fall and Spring Semesters
1. We have an end-of-the year celebration where we
recognize our members with certificates, gift cards,
etc.
6. Kelsey Foreman, Play SIG Co-chair Professional Development
Opportunity
a. Yoga in the Classroom by Lauren Williams, current 4th grade
teacher and previous Student PSEA President
i. Thursday, 10/13 at 7:30 pm at Sykes 10A (bottom floor,
past theater)
ii. Dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat if you have it!
iii. There will be a raffle
7. Dr. Bell, Faculty Advisor Last remarks
a. Mens SIG
i. We have a lack of men in the education field all across the
board
ii. If you know any male education majors who are not in
SPSEA, please reach out to them and have them speak to
Dr. Bell about joining the Mens SIG and advocating for
male teachers
8. SIG Breakouts!
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9/7/16 7:30 PM Recitation 301

11/9/16 7:30 pm- SSL 151

1. Student PSEA State Conference Sneak Peak (Sara Nyholm, President):
a. Use iMovie in your classroom! There is a movie trailer template.
Good anticipatory set!
b. Major event: State Conference! (March 31-April 2, 2016)
i. Pittsburgh, PA
ii. Professional Development + Community Service
c. Siena Catanzaros input
i. Favorite part: Outreach to Teach
1. Go to an elementary school Friday night and
beautiful (painting murals)
2. Rewarding experience
d. Alexa Temparalis input
i. Opportunity to revamp the library (re-shelving) at Outreach
the Teach
ii. Theres a job for everyone throughout the school
e. Ali Chapmans input
i. More practical look on what we are learning in our classes
at West Chester a wonderful supplement
2. Four good things SPSEA did this month (Kathleen Calvin, VP/President-
Elect):
a. Faculty Job Action (APSCUF)
i. Students made a great difference, thank you!
b. Yoga in the Classroom with Lauren Williams by Play SIG
i. GA input
1. Mindfulness in the classroom
ii. Great crowd
c. Fall Festival by EGP SIG
i. Great opportunity to cooperate with the Friends Association
1. Crafts, games, food at local YMCA
d. Springbrook Farm with Special Education SIG
i. Farm specifically for children with special needs
ii. Continuing partnership
1. Please attend!
3. Member of the month (Kathleen Calvin, VP/President-Elect):
a. Paige Espenshade
i. MGP/BSed SIG
ii. Started up Champs Program (tutoring)
iii. Reached out to Pierce Middle Schools Principal
4. Operation: Happy Holidays (Siena Catanzaro, MGP/BSed. SIG Chair):
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a. Collecting donations until 4 oclock tomorrow. Talk to Siena to

coordinate.
b. Raffle tickets for those who donated tonight!
c. Thank you to those who participate!
5. Political Update (Ali Chapman, PACE Chair):
a. Think on your feet when it comes to this election.
i. We now have four years to advocate for our children.
ii. Dont be done fighting for your students.
6. December Diaper Drive (Ali Chapman, PACE Chair):
a. Giving families at West Chester Area Daycare diapers
b. Will be collecting until December meeting
7. Couch Tomato & Pita Pit Fundraisers (Alexa Temparali, Treasurer):
a. Couch Tomato
i. Tonight!
ii. EGP SIG Reach Out & Read
1. Collecting childrens books!
b. Pita Pit
i. December 1st 3pm-close for SPSEA
8. West Chester Area Daycare (Sara Nyholm, President and Dr. Bell,
Faculty Advisor):
a. Breakfast with Santa
i. 26 volunteers needed
1. 12 Friday night 12/9
a. Set-up, arrangement
2. 14 Saturday 12/10
a. Serving, crafting, taking pictures
ii. 120 families
9. Raffle Drawing (Kathleen Calvin, VP/President-Elect)
a. Sheila McClusky
i. Drumstick headband
b. Kelly Waters
i. Turkey Hat
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9/7/16 7:30 PM Recitation 301

12/7/16 7:30 pm- REC 301

1. Kathleen Calvin, Vice President/President-Elect
a. Reach Out and Read with EGP SIG
i. Will continue to collect through Spring Semester
2. Ali Chapman, Political Action & Advocacy (PACE) Chair
a. December Diaper Drive
i. Have collected 1,000+ diapers so far
ii. Thank you to those who have donated!
iii. If you are still interested, contact Ali.
3. Sara Goncharoff, Student PSEA Southeast Region Secretary
a. Gertrude Chocolate Sale to raise money to buy books for an
outreach school.
i. $2 each!
4. Holiday Card Making for West Chester Area Daycare Breakfast with
Santa
a. Goal: 100
i. 140 made!!!
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9/7/16 7:30 PM Recitation 301

2/1/17 7:30 pm- SSL 151

1) Welcome! Sara Nyholm, President

a) Any questions about Student PSEA, see Sara!
2) For Good Performance Troupe & Author Visit
a) For Good Performance Troupe Kathleen Calvin, Vice President
i) To be held most Saturdays starting Feb. 11
ii) Dance program for students with Down syndrome at the Rec.
Centner
iii) Sign-up sheet provided at GA meeting, contact Kathleen for more
information
b) Author Visit Rachel Lockley
i) Kristin Greene - Something Must Be Done about Prince Edward
County
(1)Prince Edward County shuts down school system after mandated
integration, leaving some students with no education.
ii) Greene to be here in Sykes Theater on March 8th in the evening
free event!!
iii) SPSEA to raffle off books at GA meeting tonight
iv) Can be purchased at WCU bookstore
v) No need to read the book before attending!!
vi) Greene may sign your copy of the book!
3) Raffle Sara Nyholm & Kathleen Calvin
a) Amanda S. Greene book
b) Kat N. Greene book
c) Alyssa R. Greene book
d) Kinsey H. Hershey Kisses
e) Taylor S. M&Ms
f) Marissa K. Cookie mix
4) Southeast Region Event Anna Landis, Student PSEA Southeastern Region
President
a) Literacy Fair at Bywood Elementary Beyond the Book
b) A book to be given to every single student of the school
c) Date: Saturday, February 25th at 9:30-12pm
d) Benefits: working with children who attend and meeting other SPSEA
members around the region
e) See Emily Murrays email with invitation and Google Doc
5) State Conference Information Dr. Bell
a) Date: March 30th-April 1st
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i) Leave WCU around 1pm Thursday, and be back around 8pm

Saturday
ii) Excused absence from classes (WCU sanctioned event)
b) 46 members to be bused to Pittsburgh, PA for Student PSEA
Conference
c) Transportation covered by the College of Education and Social Work
d) Double Tree at Green Tree Hotel for lodging - $25 per member
e) Go online to www.psea.org , and register for the convention - $85 per
member
i) Includes convention + all meals + outreach project
f) Total owed by members: $110
g) Need a student reservation form and travel authorization form
i) Write down 1 roommate!
ii) Bring completed form with $25 in cash to Dr. Bells office in
Anderson 401 (slip under the door if he is not there)
h) If money is an issue, please reach out to Dr. Bell!
6) SPSEA Membership & Point System Isabella Montalvo, Secretary
a) SPSEA Membership
i) Go to https://www.psea.org/apps/students.aspx/ to register
(1)You must be a registered and paid member to participate in any
Student PSEA events
b) Point System
i) Can be found on our OrgSync page (in our files)
ii) Our bronze, silver and gold members will be recognized at the end
of the year!
7) Fundraisers & T-shirt Sales Alexa Temparali, Treasurer
a) Chocolate Bar Fundraiser February 13th in Sykes
i) Raising money for Beyond the Book event
ii) Volunteers needed
b) SPSEA of WCU Fundraiser Kildares on February 16th
i) RSVP by February with link provided in Weekly Update
c) T-shirts
i) $10 to Alexa
ii) WCU to wear T-shirts at State Conference
8) Special Interest Groups
a) EGP/literacy - Amanda Sesher and Brenna Waters
i) Play Sessions at WCPL every Friday from 9:30-11
(1)Playing with toddlers with their parents
ii) Reach Out and Read Program (CHOP)
(1)Childrens book collection
iii) Lego Nights at WCPL fourth Monday of the month from 6:30-9:30
iv) Story Time at WCPL every Tuesday 12:45-1:45
(1)Master Doc for sign up sent out in an email by Melissa (January
28th)
(2)For Story Time, email Melissa to sign up
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v) Valentines Day Social February 8th at 7:30pm

(1)Valentines Day cards for families at Friends Association
b) MGP/BSEd Siena Catanzaro
i) Professional Development event Interview Ready 2-part series
(1)February 21st - Learning how to make your resume
(2)February 28th Creating responses for your interview
c) Play Kathleen Calvin
i) Day of Play in the Quad date TBD
ii) Socials coming soon!
d) Special Education Nicole Schiff
i) SIG Chats to come
(1)Talking about inclusion, special education in general education
classrooms, etc.
ii) Working with the CCIU
(1)Volunteer opportunity keep an eye out for emails!
9) Elections Dr. Bell
a) Kathleen Calvin to be our president next year
b) Need to elect all other positions!!
i) Vice President/President-Elect
ii) Secretary
iii) Treasurer
iv) Historian
v) EGP/Literacy SIG Chair
vi) MGP/BSEd SIG Chair
vii) Special Education SIG Chair
viii) Play SIG Chair
10) Certification Jeopardy guest speakers (Ashley Roe) from the
certification office
a) Certification basics
i) Can you apply for certification in other states even if you did your
program in WCU of PA? yes!!!!!!!!
ii) What is the name of the system where you have to apply for your
certification? Teacher Information Management System (TIMS)
iii) How much does it cost to get certified as a teacher? - $200
iv) Who is the contact official for your certification that must be listed
on your certification application? Ashley Roe
b) Working with the State
i) The state requires continued professional development to keep your
certification active. How many hours do you need in 5-year cycle
after earning your teaching certification? 180 hours
ii) One of the state/s requirements is that you must be XX years old to
be certified 18 years old
iii) When do you for your PA teaching certification? the month you
complete you program
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iv) The state approves educator preparation programs across PA,

including WCU. Why is that important? all programs must meet
state requirements
c) Test your knowledge
i) One test vendor PRAXIS
ii) When should you take your basic skills exams? end of freshman
year, early sophomore year (before FATE)
iii) Where is the Professional Testing Center location on the WCU
campus? Francis Harvey Green Library
iv) If I take a test in NJ, does it automatically go to the PDE? No, you
must put in the PA code.
v) How can you meet your basic skills requirements? SAT, ACT, PAPA,
Core
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3/2/17 7:30 pm- SSN 190

1. 2017 Student PSEA State Conference and Convention: Dr. Bell, Faculty
Advisor
a. We still have a few seats on the bus.
b. Dr. Bell will help those in need of financial help with funds Dont
let money stop you!!!
c. Every person who goes has a great experience.
d. In Pittsburgh, PA at the Double Tree-Green Tree Hotel
e. University and colleges from all regions Pennsylvania attend.
f. We do community service and beautify a school as part of the
experience.
i. Painting murals all over the school
2. Upcoming Officer Elections: Sara, President; Dr. Bell, Faculty Advisor
a. WCU Chapter
i. Election date: General Assembly Meeting on March 29th
ii. Nomination form has been sent out by Isabella, Isabella will
send out again
iii. We need leaders!!!
iv. Kathleen Calvin our VP/President-Elect needs a team!
1. We will elect another VP/President-Elect
a. Treasurer (in place of Alexa Temparali)
b. Secretary (in place of Isabella Montalvo)
c. Historian (in place of Julia Cooperstein)
d. Political Action and Advocacy Chair (in place of
Ali Chapman)
e. Fundraising Chair (was vacant this year, but
will be trained from Alexa Temparali)
f. Special Interest Group Chairs
v. Every person on the executive board in the past has gotten
jobs after graduation!
vi. Read our bylaws on OrgSync to see the descriptions of
different positions.
vii. Speak to Dr. Bell or the current officer.
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viii. Stepping up now is better than stepping up later! Dont be

afraid to try
b. Region Level
i. Positions
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary
4. PACE Chair
5. House of Delegates
ii. Talk to Sara Nyholm (former Southeast Region President) if
you have any questions!
1. A lot of leadership and collaboration on the region
level
2. Learning a lot of persistence
3. Go to Harrisburg for state meetings and talk about
different chapters
c. State Level
i. President Elect-Vice President
1. Must have two years of elibility as an SPSEA member
to serve in this role
ii. Secretary
iii. PACE Chair
d. State Committees (one SPSEA spot available)
i. Communications Committee
ii. Intergroup Relations Commission
iii. Leadership Development Committee
iv. Legislative Committee
v. Minority Affairs Committee
vi. Professional Rights and Responsiblities
vii. Resolutions Committee
viii. Special Education Board
e. For more information vist:
https://www.psea.org/uploadedFiles/Student/Student_Resources/2
016_Nomination_Apps_page.pdf
3. Special Author Visit Kristen Green: Kathleen Calvin, VP/President-Elect
a. Kristin Green of Virginia (Something Must be Done about Prince
Edward County) is coming to West Chester!
b. We will be in the Sykes Theater on March 8th from 7-8pm.
c. We will have students in our classes how are of minority descent,
and we are responsible to know about racial disparities.
d. School choice is a big topic today, which is relevant to what
Kristin Green has to say.
e. There are many academies throughout the South whose history
is to be segregated schools for white children.
f. Event is open to everyone!!
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4. T-shirts and Ed Camps and Volunteer Opportunity: Alexa Temparali,

Treasurer
a. Student PSEA T-Shirts
i. We wear them at the State Conference!
ii. $10
iii. We will be placing orders tomorrow!
b. Volunteer Opportunity
i. Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-5:30
ii. Amanda Reicherts robotics club for 3rd-5th grade
iii. Dont have to know anything about robotics, dont need to
go every week.
iv. There is a volunteer signed up who is willing to drive on
Thursdays
v. See Alexa or Dr. Bell for a form
vi. Hours qualify for FATE!
vii. Clearances are required.
c. Ed Camps
i. Un-conference educators come together to talk about
different issues in educations
ii. March 22nd, Lancaster
iii. May 20th, Philadelphia
iv. Amanda Reichert will drive 4 people to each!
v. The Ed Camps are free!!
vi. Great professional development opportunities!
5. SIG Chat: Nicole Schiff, Special Ed. SIG Chair
a. March 9th, 7-8 PM, Recitation 204
b. Talking about inclusion and having an ice cream social.
c. A relaxed way to talk about special education with each other.
d. Inclusion is not always important to all teachers. Whether you
are a special education teacher or not, you need to know about
it.
6. Professional Development Series: Interview Ready: Meredith Miller,
MGP/BSEd SIG Committee Member
a. Never too early to start preparing for interviews!
b. Two parts
i. Resume Workshop
1. March 21st, 7-8 PM
2. Bring your laptop so you can work on your resume
with help!!
ii. Interview Practice
1. March 28th, 7-8PM
2. Feedback on interviews will be given!
7. Special Interest Groups
a. EGP SIG, Melissa Heiseler
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i. Have been volunteering with the West Chester Public

Library for two years
1. If you have Friday mornings open, we could use your
help with the 1-2-3 Play-with-Me Sessions from 10-
11:30.
a. Need two volunteers per session.
b. Helping not only the children, but the parents,
too.
2. Lego Nights are twice a month (2nd and 4th Monday of
every month night)
8. March for Public Education: Ali Chapman, PACE Chair
a. Hosted by Honors Student Association tomorrow March 3rd
b. 2-4:30 PM in the Academic Quad