Duty Free Lunch

National Teacher of the Year Ashlie Crosson returns to Duty Free Lunch with sharp insights, honest reflections, and urgent ideas. From rural education to teacher burnout to student empowerment, Ashlie's national exposure has given her new insights into the state of teaching today.  Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to  podcast@psea.org .  Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at...

Pennsbury elementary school teacher Jenn Fumanti sits down with Aaron and Jeff to share the remarkable story of her family's five-generation commitment to teaching in Pennsylvania. From coal stoves to Chromebooks, hear how public education shaped her legacy, and why she's proud to carry the torch today. 

Aaron and Jeff are joined by Allen Lombardozzi and Elaine LaFuria, two STEM teachers from the Harbor Creek School District. They share the story behind Advanced Technologies Group, a student program powered by HAM radio, science, and sheer curiosity. From building antennas to speaking directly with astronauts aboard the International Space Station, their students are putting STEM to good use. Do y...

Join us for another dispatch from the legislative trenches as Aaron and Jeff sit down with PSEA-Retired leaders Todd Miller and Russ Stevenson during PSEA’s ACE Lobby Days in Harrisburg. They cover why retired educators remain on the front lines, the fight to protect pensions, and the push for a cost-of-living adjustment for pre-Act 9 retirees.  Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to ...

This episode was recorded during PSEA’s ACE Lobby Days, where educators from across Pennsylvania come together to meet with lawmakers and make their voices heard. Joining us are two advocates, teachers, and local presidents Amanda Simcoe and Mike Soskil. They join Aaron and Rachael to talk about what it means to lead not just in their schools, but in their communities and at the Capitol, on issues...

What happens when a father and daughter go from paraprofessionals to certified teachers together? The officer team sits down with Jermaine and ShaWanna Bailey, a dynamic duo from the York City School District who did exactly that. They share their powerful story of career transformation through the “Grow Your Own” program, the challenges they overcame, and why representation in the classroom matte...

…doesn’t always stay at the House of Delegates. In fact, this is the episode where all is revealed – the ins and outs and goings on at the twice-yearly gathering of our union brothers and sisters. The officer team welcomes back Executive Director Jim Vaughan to break down everything that goes into this important event – from delegate elections and new business items to behind-the-scenes prep and p...

The PSEA officer team speaks with two frontline IU educators – Kathy Dunkle from IU #24 and Tina Giazzoni-Fialko from IU #22 – to unpack the real story behind Pennsylvania’s Intermediate Units. What exactly are IUs? Why do they matter? And how do they quietly power some of the most essential educational services across the state? Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or just IU-curious, this...

The officer team dives into the powerful conversations that came out of PSEA's recent special education roundtables. More than 100 educators sat down with lawmakers to talk about challenges and brainstorm solutions. Two of those roundtable participants - special ed. teacher Cassie McCabe and speech therapist Christina Rojas - join us to share their experiences. Do you have some feedback for us? Se...

Aaron and Jeff chat with Tiffany Zook, a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Penn Manor High School, who shares how she turned military-style MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) into a hands-on cooking competition for her students. With help from a Marine Corps staff sergeant, the project gave students a taste of field rations and a big serving of creativity, collaboration, and practical skills. Do you...

Public schools are under attack, and educators need to fight back. Aaron and Jeff are joined by expert guests to dig into the latest threats to public education, like devastating federal budget cuts, and what we can do about them. NEA’s Mary Kusler and PSEA’s Jen Statler discuss the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to the U.S. Department of Education, the impact on Pennsylvania schools, and how...

We take you straight from the steps of the state Capitol to the podcast studio, where we break down the first ESP Lobby Day and the fight for a living wage. Our support professionals keep our schools running, yet nearly half of them make less than $20 per hour. The officer team interviews ESP President Rudy Burruss and Vice President Marc Howshall on a promising new House bill, the impact of raisi...

Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael sit down with 2025 PA Teacher of the Year Leon Smith to discuss the challenges facing education today. From the shrinking teacher pipeline to the urgent need for more diverse educators, Leon shares his insights on why representation matters, how to rebuild the profession, and what gives him hope for the future. Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to  podcast@ps...

Join us as we explore an extraordinary high school program that’s preparing students for careers in aviation. Aaron and Rachael sit down with Eric Greenberger, the creator and lead instructor of the Wallenpaupack Aeronautical Science & Aviation program, as well as senior Josh Griffiths, a student pilot in the program. Learn how this one-of-a-kind program is giving students hands-on experience in p...

Aaron and Rachael sit down with educator, instructional coach, author, and podcaster Suzanne Dailey, along with PSEA Mideastern Region President Bill Senavaitis, to explore practical strategies for staying positive in education. Suzanne shares insights from her Teach Happier podcast and book, offering science-backed techniques to help educators feel more grounded and fulfilled. Do you have some fe...

We're back with another late-breaking budget breakdown! The officer team sits down with PSEA Government Relations gurus Dan Wiedemer and Kelli Thompson to comb over the details in Gov. Shapiro's Feb. 4 Budget Proposal. They explore key funding increases, the impact on school districts, and the fight for more support for student teachers.  Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to  podcast...

When Brittney Ehrenzeller started a small club at Phoenixville Area High School to inspire and mentor students interested in an education career, she had no idea it would balloon into the thriving, in-demand program it is today. Aaron and Jeff sit down with Brittney to hear how she did it, and hopefully inspire more future teacher leaders to start an Educators Rising chapter in their schools. Do y...

Aaron and Jeff sit down with Kaylin Shewmake, a Penn State University student and Student PSEA Central Region president. Kaylin was one of the fortunate recipients of the student teacher stipend that was awarded this past year. She talks about her experience applying for and receiving the stipend, the improvements she hopes to see in the future, and how fully funding this stipend is key to attract...

In a special episode, Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael celebrate the podcast’s one-year pod-aversary. They discuss key PSEA highlights from 2024, including success with a student teacher stipend, ongoing efforts to secure a pre-Act 9 retiree COLA, and plans to address ESP shortages with a dedicated Lobby Day in 2025. The team also shares their favorite memories from the year and looks ahead to new goals a...

In this episode of Duty Free Lunch, we’re looking ahead to America’s 250th birthday in 2026 and Pennsylvania’s key role in the celebrations. Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA, joins Aaron, Jeff, and Rachael to share how the commission is connecting history with education and highlighting Pennsylvania’s contributions. They discuss programs for students, partnerships with schools...

Aaron and Jeff delve into student health and wellness with PSEA leaders Michelle Sholder and Adam Oldham. Michelle, president of PSEA’s Department of Pupil Services (DPS), and Adam, a school counselor, share their expertise on addressing issues like trauma, anxiety, and the impact of social media on students. They share practical strategies and emphasize the need for more certified student service...

Aaron and Jeff sit down with with PSEA’s 2024 Dolores McCracken Education Support Professional of the Year, Becky Marszalek, a paraprofessional at Avonworth Elementary School and president of Avonworth ESP with 18 years of education experience. Becky shares some of the challenges and joys of her journey from nannying to working in education, emphasizing the importance of trust, consistency, and th...

In this special post-election wrap-up of Duty Free Lunch, we break down the latest election results and their impact on Pennsylvania's public education landscape. Aaron welcomes Dan Wiedemer and Sari Stevens from PSEA's Government Relations unit to discuss key issues from the Nov. 5 election, from voter turnout and demographic trends to the policy priorities that could shape our schools’ future. T...

Aaron and Jeff tackle a topic that hits close to home for educators: stress and how to effectively manage it. They are joined by Dorothy Morelli, a career educator with over 30 years of experience and co-founder of the non-profits CREATE and Bounceback, and Denine Goolsby, an SEL expert with 46 years as an educator, principal, and executive in social-emotional learning. Also joining in is Sandy Wi...

PSEA’s Innovative Teaching Grants program is designed to support educators in creating groundbreaking classroom projects. Jeff and Rachael chat with Amy Lightner, Chair of the program, and Anthony DeRosa, a grant recipient from the Lawrence County Career & Technical Center. Tune in to hear how DeRosa’s “Art Mart” is equipping economically disadvantaged students with entrepreneurial skills through...