Reporting for duty: What military service taught these educators

End of an era with retiring board members Patsy Tallarico and Debbie Lee

Aaron sits down with two of PSEA’s longest-serving board members – Debbie Lee and Patsy Tallarico – as they prepare to close out remarkable education careers. Debbie shares how 9/11 brought her from New York City classrooms to Pennsylvania, where she spent 16 years as local president and six as an NEA director. Patsy traces his path from a scrappy 1968 strike over planning periods all the way to the PSEA presidency and beyond. Together, they reflect on what keeps leaders going, why politics and education are inseparable, and what they hope the next generation of union leaders carries forward. Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to podcast@psea.org [podcast@psea.org].  Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast [https://www.psea.org/podcast].

Reporting for duty: What military service taught these educators

What do military service and public education have in common? More than you might think. Aaron and Rachael sit down with three educator-veterans — retired science teacher John Odell, social studies teacher Del Fuller, and retired math teacher Dana West — to explore the parallels between serving in uniform and serving in the classroom. Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to podcast@psea.org [podcast@psea.org].  Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast [https://www.psea.org/podcast].

PA Teacher of the Year Madeline Loring on the power of joy and authenticity

What if joy isn't something you earn after a hard week but the actual point? Madeline Loring, Pennsylvania's 2026 Teacher of the Year, joins the officer team to talk about building a career around authenticity, engaging students with uniquely themed classroom setups, and why she believes every educator is their school's best recruitment tool.  Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to podcast@psea.org [podcast@psea.org].  Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast [https://www.psea.org/podcast].

Honoring decades of dedication with Rosetta Dufalla and Cheryl Mattern

Aaron continues his special spring farewell series with a double feature starring outgoing board members Rosetta Dufalla and Cheryl Mattern, two leaders whose combined decades of service have made a lasting mark on PSEA and public education in Pennsylvania. Rosetta shares how her background in retail management gave her a unique window into both sides of the labor relationship. Cheryl opens up about how being a school nurse shaped her eye for the members who often get overlooked. Together, they reveal the reality of PSEA board work and share advice for the next generation of PSEA leaders. Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to podcast@psea.org [podcast@psea.org].  Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast [https://www.psea.org/podcast].

Making a difference at every level: One-on-one with PSEA Senior NEA Director Melissa Costantino-Poruben

Aaron sits down one-on-one with Melissa Costantino-Poruben in the first of a special spring series honoring outgoing PSEA Board members. A longtime math teacher and PSEA’s Senior NEA Director, Melissa shares what it’s really like to bridge state and national education advocacy, from chairing the NEA’s Friend of Education Committee to representing Pennsylvania at Education International in Argentina. She opens up about managing board responsibilities alongside family and classroom life, why she’s a passionate advocate for teacher sabbaticals, how the Corbett-era education cuts lit a fire under her to speak out, and why relationships are the real heart of this work. Do you have some feedback for us? Send an email to podcast@psea.org [podcast@psea.org].  Learn more and watch for upcoming episodes at psea.org/podcast [https://www.psea.org/podcast].