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 the evolving support for paraprofessionals within the education community.
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 the evolving support for paraprofessionals within the education community.
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Voiceover:
Welcome to Duty Free Lunch, the official podcast of the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Join us as we unpack the issues that matter most to you from cutting-edge classroom strategies to thought-provoking policy discussions. If it impacts PSEA members, it's on the menu.
Aaron Chapin:
Hello and welcome to Duty Free lunch. I am PSEA President, Aaron Chapin. And sitting with me in the studio today, it's PSEA Vice President, Jeff Ney. Hey, Jeff. How are you doing?
Jeff Ney:
Good, Aaron. How are you doing today?
Aaron Chapin:
I'm doing fantastic. I can't wait to get to today's episode.
Jeff Ney:
No, today's episode is going to be great. It's funny because I was scrolling through different... other state affiliates and to see what kind of podcasts they have. And you know what? I still think we are one of the top ones.
Aaron Chapin:
Well, I mean, we don't want to compare ourselves to our friends across the country.
Jeff Ney:
I understand that, but-
Aaron Chapin:
Does Delaware have one?
Jeff Ney:
Delaware does not have one.
Aaron Chapin:
What about Connecticut?
Jeff Ney:
Connecticut does have one.
Aaron Chapin:
Oh, what's it called?
Jeff Ney:
I don't know what it's called. It never rang a bell in my... so I have to-
Aaron Chapin:
Well, how am I going to-
Jeff Ney:
Maybe it's Repeal the Steal? No, that's not it. There's something else [inaudible 00:01:16].
Aaron Chapin:
I got to Google that then on the way home.
Jeff Ney:
Okay.
Aaron Chapin:
So how many are there?
Jeff Ney:
There's about nine of them out there.
Aaron Chapin:
So only a fifth of the United States affiliates have podcasts?
Jeff Ney:
That is correct.
Aaron Chapin:
We are award-winning.
Jeff Ney:
We are award-winning.
Aaron Chapin:
I hope we get big fat awards this year.
Jeff Ney:
Well, it's not for lack of trying. I'm sure. Especially like today's guest, if that doesn't get us an award, I don't know what will.
Aaron Chapin:
I don't either, because we are very fortunate to have today's guest, and I was lucky enough coming out of COVID, we had an NEA Leadership Summit in Las Vegas.
Jeff Ney:
Oh, I remember that one.
Aaron Chapin:
It was like the first event coming out of COVID, and so I went out there for, I don't know, it was like 15 PSEA members, and one of our members is today's guest, and it was a pleasure meeting her and we've been friends since.
Jeff Ney:
That's great.
Aaron Chapin:
So enough of that. Let's get to her. Okay?
Jeff Ney:
Yes, please.
Aaron Chapin:
Yes. Today, we have Becky Marszalek on the phone with us. She's from Western Pennsylvania. She is a devoted paraprofessional at the Avonworth Elementary School out there in the western region, and she's also president of the Avonworth ESP, but even better.
Jeff Ney:
Yeah.
Aaron Chapin:
She is the 2024 Dolores McCracken PSEA Education Support Professional member of the year.
Jeff Ney:
And that's fantastic. You know how important that award is to me.
Aaron Chapin:
It means a lot to all of us here at PSEA, and I'm just super excited to have Becky be the recipient of it this year. Becky's known for her compassionate approach. She has a profound impact on her students and colleagues alike. And her dedication extends beyond the classroom as she actively engages in community service and union activism. So I've said a lot of nice things about her.
Jeff Ney:
You did.
Aaron Chapin:
I did. So let's bring her on in. We're excited to hear her insights on creating a supportive educational environment, and we're going to hear a little bit about her experiences in leadership. Becky, welcome to the podcast.
Becky Marszalek:
Hello. Thank you.
Aaron Chapin:
I said a lot of nice things about you.
Becky Marszalek:
You did say a lot of nice things about me.
Aaron Chapin:
Well, you're deserving. Yes. You're very deserving. It is great to have you. I know we're recording this after you've had a long day at school, so we want to get right to this so that you can do what you need to do for the rest of the day. But thanks again for coming in. And I guess as much as I've gotten to know you over the last few years as I was going through some questions we're going to ask you, I'm like, "You know what? I don't think we've ever talked about this." I guess we don't talk shop a lot, so I'm going to learn a lot about you today. I'm actually really curious though, what inspired you to be a paraprofessional and how has your role kind of evolved over the years, Becky?
Becky Marszalek:
Okay, this goes back, I mean, obviously this is my 18th year as a para. I was a nanny for a family, and that little boy was diagnosed with autism, and I was like, "Oh, okay." And I grew up, he grew up, they went on and my neighbor next door to me was like, "Hey, we have this perfect job at the school for you." And I was like, "Okay." And so I went, interviewed, got the job started. I'm not going to lie. My first day I was like, "Oh boy, this is a lot." But I just grew... every day I grew to love my job more and more and more and more, and the more I got into it and just being with the kids, I love kids. I've always known that I wanted to work with kids. So being in the school and seeing the kids and just getting more involved with all of them. And like I said, day to day, day to day, I just grew to love my job and I still do to this day. It's still every day is there something that makes me love it even more.
Aaron Chapin:
How's your job changed over the years? I'm sure you said 18 years now?
Becky Marszalek:
Yeah, since my 18th year.
Aaron Chapin:
Wow. So how has it changed over the years because that's going back to the early 2000s?
Becky Marszalek:
I would say, I mean, if anything, it's gotten a lot better with just education itself. And I think just the support that we get now. I feel like whenever I started, we didn't have the support that we get and now we do. And it's become more we're needed. It's definitely a needed job.
Aaron Chapin:
Absolutely. Yeah.
Becky Marszalek:
Yeah. I mean, I can't say... if anything, it definitely has gotten better over the 18 years that I have been there.
Jeff Ney:
So Aaron said you are a paraprofessional at Avonsworth, at the elementary school. What specific job do you do at Avonsworth?
Becky Marszalek:
So right now I am a 4th grade. I have a one-on-one student that I'm with.
Jeff Ney:
Oh, fantastic. Okay.
Becky Marszalek:
So yes, I have covered... when I started, I was with the one-on-one, followed him from 3rd grade all the way through to 11th grade.
Jeff Ney:
Oh, wow.
Becky Marszalek:
And then I came back and started in kindergarten with the one-on-one, followed her, she did kindergarten twice, followed her all the way through to 3rd grade. And then I was the inclusion pair in 3rd grade for two years. And then last year I was supposed to be the inclusion pair, but we got a student in that needed a little help and I was willing to take him on. And then I got asked to move to 4th grade with him this year.
Jeff Ney:
And following those students, obviously you develop a very long-lasting connection with those students that you are helping service. And why do you think that it's so important to love what you're doing and love the educational process and these kids? Why do you think having you move with that student through the years made you and the job that you provide that much better?
Becky Marszalek:
I feel just because you get to know them more unlike the one-on-one basis, and you know what they need and you're able to help them more. And I think you gain a trust with not only them, but also with their parents. And I think it just makes it just a smoother transition every year for not only yourself, but also for the student. Moving on with the little boy I'm with this year, he walked into school first day and it was just like the last day of school, and I think it was just that normalcy for him coming in and seeing that same person that was there to help him in the past.
Jeff Ney:
Yeah, I mean, Aaron and I don't get to experience that all that much in the roles that we had with being 5th grade teachers, but you do see those kids come back because some students really do like that consistency and you being that stable factor in their lives. It becomes very, very important to them. How about on any of the students that you've been working with, is there a memorable experience where it made a significant impact on either you or onto that student? I mean, we've talked at the podcast, we as educators love those aha moments where you can actually see the light bulb pop on to a student. Have you ever had any of those experience with the kids that you service?
Becky Marszalek:
Actually, I could probably go on about those because there's lots of them. I'd probably say to name one, the first student I was with whenever I first started. As he progressed through the years, he got into high school and he wanted to do marching band. And I was like, "Oh boy, here we go." And I got asked if I would be willing to assist him, and I was like, "Okay." He was in a wheelchair, so it was like, "Okay, whatever. I'll jump on the bandwagon and we'll go." And I did band camp with him. I learned the routines. I had to go out in the field and learn the routines with him and help him with his drum.
And I think it was just one of those moments whenever it was like his whole face just lit up whenever that first game when he got out there and he performed, and I was out there right with him just marching right along, doing the routine with him. And yeah, I mean, he obviously struggled socially, so I think that was a perfect moment for him too, to be like, "Look at me. I'm out here. I'm doing this." And that's just one. I could give you multiple... just multiple with even regular ed students also that I've just seen them shine with different things. And yeah, I could go on and on, but we don't have time for that, so I won't.
Jeff Ney:
No, and I'm glad you brought that up because it's probably the one thing that people don't understand is when you're working with one student, it really is not you're working with one student because you are going to help whoever needs help anywhere around you. And especially if you're with a student that needs a little help with social skills, you are going to lean on some of those other students and you make an impact on those other students as well. So that's great.
Aaron Chapin:
Absolutely. And I think as you're touching on that story, it's important I think for everyone out there maybe to pick up on these kind of strategies that you think others really need to adopt to help create a supportive inclusive environment for all students. Do you have any suggestions?
Becky Marszalek:
You really have to follow your heart. Whatever... It's hard. You have to get to know them. You have to be willing to want to help them, and you have to try to understand what they need and plus what they deal with on a daily basis. The biggest thing, communication with them and learning them and just you're their support. You're their advocate. You just have to follow your heart. That's my thing. I look at them and they all mount my heart. All of them. All the kids do.
Jeff Ney:
That's wonderful. Now I'm going to switch gears on you a little bit and we're going to talk about your leadership there at Avonworth ESP. So your time spent in your experience as a leader there, has that changed your perspective on education or has it helped your perspective on education and advocacy for not just your students, but now more along the lines of the other members of Avonworth?
Becky Marszalek:
Yes. I would say that when I started, now I've been president, this is my, I guess, 13th year that I'm going into being the president. When I started, it was just kind of like, "Okay, here we are." And I feel like when I became in that role with president and I saw how it was done, I needed to change that because I felt like I didn't have, I guess, the knowledge of what we can do and what we can fight for and what we can get. So I mean, I feel like there's been change. Yeah.
Jeff Ney:
How many members do you have there at Avonworth?
Becky Marszalek:
So my member... I consist of, it's the paraprofessionals, custodians, food service, secretaries, and I have one support nurse. I think I have 75 members maybe.
Jeff Ney:
Okay. And I'm sure you lean on your PSEA UniServ. Who's your UniServ out there in the west?
Becky Marszalek:
Katie Horgan.
Jeff Ney:
Oh, fantastic.
Becky Marszalek:
And yes, I do lean on her. I'm not afraid to call her if I feel like I have. I'm like, "Oh wait, I'm not sure about this. I'm just going to call and just check and see if I'm right." And I do have to say I'm not afraid to speak up to whoever I need to if I need to.
Aaron Chapin:
I think a lot of us in these presidency roles back in our local associations, I think you start to see really what your colleagues need, what your students need, but what the community needs out of that school district. And I know that we've talked about this on the podcast before, and Jeff and I can... we've certainly expressed this. It changes the way... our president jobs really do change the way we see education and the value of it and what it can do for the community, what you need to do as a local leader in order for that change to happen. And I'm guessing you feel the same way, Becky.
Becky Marszalek:
Yes, I for sure do. Yes.
Aaron Chapin:
So in your role as president-
Jeff Ney:
For 13 years, which is-
Aaron Chapin:
She's been president for, that's right, 13 years. So I'm guessing you've negotiated a few contracts in your time.
Becky Marszalek:
Yes, I have. I've negotiated two so far.
Aaron Chapin:
So what are some of those challenges? Because I don't think... Obviously we've got a thousand locals between EA and ESB across the state. I think a lot of our members out there don't quite understand the challenges that go into bargaining those contracts. Can you share some of those challenges that you've faced over those two contracts that you've bargained?
Becky Marszalek:
I mean, obviously it's time-consuming not only at school, but your personal time at home. And I think the challenges are, it's like you go and you sit at the table with admin and you're going, you're back and forth and you're bantering back and forth with what we want, what we want. And then it's like you take it back to your members and it's like sometimes you don't feel like you're appreciated by them because it's maybe not what they were hoping for.
But then I feel like once I know I've explained things in a way, it's like, "Okay, this is why. This is what happens. Here, this is..." and I think they come to realize like, "Okay. Wait a minute. She did give us the best that she could for what they came back with." And I mean, it's hard to go and sit at a table with somebody administrating and sit there and say, "No, that's not what I want. I want something else. No, I don't want that. That's not what I want. You need to give us this." And then to walk away from the table and leave that at the table and have to go back to your normal like, "Oh, hi, how are you," and forget that you were there face to face with them, having that little maybe disagreement because you don't agree with what they were saying. So it's like you have to play a different role at different times.
Aaron Chapin:
That is... You wear a lot of hats. You do.
Jeff Ney:
Yeah.
Aaron Chapin:
You wear a lot of hats. And I'm guessing your listening skills and your communication skills, whether it's with your colleagues or with administration in the district, I'm guessing that your communication skills have probably strengthened over these 13 years. Because I mean, it's a lot of it. When you're that president, you've got to be able to listen to your administration, but also express what your members want. And it's the same thing. You were talking about as you bring those offers back to your members and they're frustrated, it's communicating with them, but also listening to them Becky right?
Becky Marszalek:
Yes, for sure. Yeah. And I do have to say over the years with my communication with... I've grown myself with that because 13 years ago when I started, I'm like, "Oh, I don't know. I'm a little sheepish and I'm not sure." And now it's like, "Oh yeah, that's fine. I got this. I can go and I'll talk to them." And I've definitely grown in that way. And I always tell my members, I always have an ear if they need something, if they have a question, I always have an ear and I will listen and I will address it however it needs to be addressed.
Aaron Chapin:
Yeah. I will tell people in your position all the time that this job can actually change your life for the better. It can really help develop those areas of your personality that need work. I mean, I think about when I started and I was in your shoes as that first year president, it was tough. It was really hard standing up in front of everybody advocating, even though you may not necessarily agree with the members you are representing, you've got to develop those skills. And I wasn't the best, but that's what this job does. It really helps develop those areas that you may not be so strong in.
Becky Marszalek:
It really does. It really truly does.
Jeff Ney:
So with everything that you're doing with the students that you work with, with the members that you are representing, you've got to balance a lot of different responsibilities within the school and your involvement in the broader community. Because I was lucky enough to be out there at Avonworth during one of our Read Across America events, and it's a wonderful area there. So how about you share with our listeners some of those responsibilities that you feel like as a leader, as somebody who's working with the students, as somebody who is involved in the broader community, how that benefits that whole area?
Becky Marszalek:
So I think there's certainly different roles there. You go out in the community and you see people. You're a face of the school. So I feel like you have to carry that role like, "Oh yeah, I'm a face of the school." So I mean, you have to say hello, you have to be kind. But I always say you leave school stuff at school and community stuff in the community. I don't go, not... I say hello to all them. I say hello to kids. I've gone to softball games, I've gone to chorus concerts. I put myself out there. But it's also because I think when the community sees a school face out in the community, I think it makes them feel more comfortable also.
But again, it's that whole like, "Oh, hey guys, how are you? Great to see you." Yes, I give the kids a little side hug, whatever, but I always feel like it's they start talking school shop. I'm always like, "Yeah, divert the question to something else." You have to separate that school and community. You can't put yourself in that situation.
Jeff Ney:
Yeah, sometimes-
Becky Marszalek:
I'm from the community. I actually went to Avonworth, I graduated from there.
Jeff Ney:
Oh, okay.
Becky Marszalek:
Yeah. It's my home roots. A lot of people know that also. And I mean, they'll ask how school has changed since I've been there and I was like, "Oh boy, for the better." But I think you just have to keep that boundary between, you have the school, but you also have community.
Aaron Chapin:
And it's absolutely true. All of us as educators, we are part of these communities. And look, I hear it all the time when I'm home, I'm with my wife who teaches in the community that she's lived in for years and we're a part of the community. And so yes, she is the same exact way. It is saying hello to people. It's seeing your students. And I think our families in our communities really appreciate the fact that we act and conduct ourselves in that way and that we're part of the fabric of the community.
Jeff Ney:
It was very early on in my marriage where my wife stopped coming to the grocery store with me because you can't go down an aisle without running into somebody and having a conversation, whether it's from a former student or a parent or somebody who's part of that community.
Aaron Chapin:
That's why she stopped going to the grocery store?
Jeff Ney:
That's the answer I'm going to go with.
Aaron Chapin:
Okay.
Becky Marszalek:
You know what? It's so true though because you do run into them no matter where you go. I mean, even if you put a hat on your head or go with no makeup on, it's still like, "Oh, there's Ms. M." It's like, "Hi, here I am."
Jeff Ney:
A 20 minute grocery run turns into an hour. Yep.
Aaron Chapin:
All right. Hey Jeff.
Becky Marszalek:
It sure does.
Aaron Chapin:
Guess what?
Jeff Ney:
Is it pop quiz time?
Aaron Chapin:
Pop quiz. Pop quiz time. Pop quiz.
Jeff Ney:
All right. And again, Becky, don't worry about it. There's no penalty for wrong answers. But if I were to ask you to give the top piece of advice that you would give to other educators and paraprofessionals looking to make a positive impact in their schools and communities, what would you tell them?
Becky Marszalek:
Okay.
Jeff Ney:
So you did a little bit about the listening. You did a little bit about using your heart and going that. So anything else that you could give them?
Becky Marszalek:
I feel like you have to be open-minded. You have to ask questions, learn more, and just honestly love what you do.
Jeff Ney:
Oh, there it is.
Aaron Chapin:
Yep. It's absolutely right.
Jeff Ney:
When you love your job, you don't ever work.
Aaron Chapin:
That is right. You're very wise.
Jeff Ney:
I think I read that in a fortune cookie or something.
Aaron Chapin:
Oh, Becky's the wise one.
Jeff Ney:
Yeah, she is. We are extremely lucky to have her.
Aaron Chapin:
And that's why we were so fortunate to have you today as our guest. Unfortunately, we are all out of time and everyone, our guest today has been the 2024 Dolores McCracken PSEA Education Support Professional member of the year, Becky Marszalek. Becky, thank you very much for joining us today.
Becky Marszalek:
Thank you guys so much. I appreciate it.
Aaron Chapin:
It was an absolute pleasure to have you and I can't wait to see you down the road. And for our listeners out there, there's a good chance she might be at the December House of Delegates as we honor the ESP of the year. So that'd be a good time. Thanks to all of our listeners for tuning in. Again, we really appreciate you giving us 22 to 25 minutes every other week. If you've got some feedback for us, don't hesitate to reach out. If you've got some questions, reach out. If you want advice from Rachel who's not with us today, hey, you got to email us though at podcast@psea.org. Come on, get those emails flowing because later sometime this year, we're going to have another Listener Mail.
Jeff Ney:
Oh, that'd be great.
Aaron Chapin:
Not viewer mail.
Jeff Ney:
Not viewer mail.
Aaron Chapin:
This is a podcast.
Jeff Ney:
This is a podcast. Good thing.
Aaron Chapin:
I know. I'm a trained professional. But anyway, send those questions, comments, we'd love to hear from you. For now though, I'm Aaron Chapin.
Jeff Ney:
And I'm Jeff Ney.
Aaron Chapin:
And you have been listening to Duty Free Lunch. Bye for now.
Voiceover:
You've been listening to Duty Free Lunch with the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Visit psea.org/podcast to learn more, and don't forget to subscribe and share. Paid for by the Pennsylvania State Education Association.