The Pennsylvania State Education Association announced on May 1 that it is joining educators, parents, and community leaders nationwide in celebrating the ‘May Day Strong’ National Day of Action. The association said the event highlights support for investing in public schools and local communities.
May Day, also known as International Workers Day, is observed globally each year on May 1. It originated in Chicago during the 1880s as part of efforts to establish an eight-hour workday.
“Today, PSEA honors the legacy of the workers who gave everything for a better way of life, and we carry their struggle into the present movement for a country that serves the many, not the few,” PSEA President Aaron Chapin said. “Every student, no matter where they live or what they look like, deserves a high-quality public education. Every family deserves to feel safe. We all want to live in communities that lift each other up, center on justice and integrity, and invest in our future.”
Chapin said over the past year elected officials have enacted policies such as freezing federal education funding and reducing health and nutrition benefits that affect students and educators in Pennsylvania. He added: “Right now, politicians in Washington are executing a plan laid out in Project 2025 to dismantle public education, take away our union rights, and defund critical services that our students and communities rely on.” Chapin called for unity among members: “On this May Day…we are bringing together our members and our communities behind a different vision shared by Pennsylvania’s working families.” He continued: “We became educators…to make a difference…We envision a future where resources and funding are no longer obstacles for our students to reach their full potential. That’s a vision that our communities overwhelmingly share.”
The association supports community engagement initiatives throughout Pennsylvania according to its official website. PSEA represents more than 178,000 educators—including teachers, support professionals, higher education staff—as well as retirees and students according to its official website. The organization aims to promote quality public education by advocating for its members through professional development opportunities and legislative support according to its official website.
PSEA serves both educators and students via regional offices across Pennsylvania while pursuing statewide initiatives according to its official website. Its advocacy includes legislative efforts intended to ensure excellent public schools throughout Pennsylvania according to its official website, along with providing professional development programs; legal protection; collective bargaining assistance; and classroom resources according to its official website.
Chapin concluded by encouraging action: “On this May Day…many educators and support professionals are taking action…Change comes when educators, workers, and communities take action together.”
