Central OEA NEA

Central members presenting and attending at the Ohio Change Leaders for Just Schools event this week. Members Leaders committed to creating safe and just schools for ALL students.

Central OEA NEA members attending the Black & White Dinner in solidarity with our friends and family from CEA/Capital.

Central OEA NEA members attending the LGBTQ+ caucus dinner. Even with the RA ending early, members are still doing the work of advocating for ALL our students!

Your AMAZING 2024 Central OEA/NEA Delegation to the NEA Representative Assembly!

Happy Fourth of July from the Central delegates on the first day of the NEA Representative Assembly!

Central Delegates at the first caucus in Pennsylvania! # UnionStrong

Central hosted a table at the OEA Summer Academy DLC OEA Fund fundraiser event tonight. A good time was had by all as we raised money to support public education.

The work continues at the Central Retreat, with Northwestern EA, South-Western EA, Delaware TA, Pickerington SSA, Hilliard EA and Westerville SSA!

Lots of work happening at the Central Local retreat!

This is a great opportunity to engage in advocacy work for our students. We hope to see you there!

A BIG thank you to the Central Board Members who attended the retreat this weekend. Good ideas were shared. We are looking forward to the upcoming school year.

Ohio Education Association applauds law to reduce cell phone distractions in schools

COLUMBUS – May 15, 2024 – The Ohio Education Association (OEA) is celebrating the enactment of a new law that requires school districts to develop policies to limit cell phone use during school hours. Gov. Mike DeWine's move to sign the bill into law on Wednesday is in line with recently adopted OEA policy. Educators serving as elected delegates at OEA’s Spring Representative Assembly, OEA’s largest governing body, voted last week to adopt a resolution in support of policies that will improve students’ learning environments by reducing their access to cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day.

“Educators across the state have seen firsthand the challenges that unrestricted cell phone use in schools has created for students’ learning and wellbeing, especially when inconsistent rules have had to be enforced on a classroom-by-classroom basis,” OEA President Scott DiMauro said. “This law will ensure educators have clear guidance and support while allowing for local flexibility to set policies that will improve learning conditions. Our members must be included in the development of those local policies.”

The newly adopted resolution, which reflects OEA members’ priorities and guides OEA’s advocacy work, states the following:

“The Ohio Education Association believes that the unrestricted use of cellphones and other personal electronic devices in classrooms and other academic areas detracts from the educational environment, reduces the efficacy of teaching and learning, distracts students, facilitates cyberbullying and other harms, and undermines the educational mission of schools.

The Association also believes that limiting student access to cellphones and other personal devices in schools improves student engagement, reduces cyberbullying, enhances interpersonal communication, and supports student mental health. These benefits contribute significantly to learning outcomes and the wellbeing of students.

The Association supports the establishment of a clear statewide policy to restrict student access to personal electronic devices during school hours. This policy must allow for local decision-making on specific details to accommodate varying needs and circumstances of different school districts. Given the crucial insights and experiences of educators, this policy must require the inclusion of educators in the development of those details.

The Association recognizes the need for school-approved exceptions to ensure that students with medical needs or disabilities have necessary access to technology as required for their health and well-being. The Association asserts that educators should be able to facilitate the use of personal electronic devices when there is a clear instructional need.”

Following their completion of the NEA Leaders for Just Schools training program, OEA members are bringing the fight for just schools back to Ohio. Ohio Change Leaders for Just Schools will provide OEA members with the opportunity to conduct an equity audit and then use the results of that audit to identify a project or campaign that they can take on in their own community. This two-day convening will also include time for members to work collaboratively to identify similarities in their local goals. Participants will be provided with overnight accommodations and all meals.

Please visit the website listed below for more information
https://www.ohea.org/ohiochangeleadersforjustschools/

Check out Mark being recognized by Ohio Education Association Representative Assembly for being named teacher of the year. This man makes magic with his hard working Lincoln Live crew!

"...every single day we have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the students we serve...If you are an Education Support Professional in this room please stand and be recognized"

Cheryl Williams - OEA’s 2024 Education Support Professional of the Year

❤️

Thank you Mark!

It’s time for the OEA-RA once again!!!!!

BIG thank you to all the Central Delegates for turning out this weekend to represent their colleagues at the OEA Spring Representative Assembly. We literally couldn’t do the work without you!

Congratulations to Cheryl and Hilliard EA! So well deserved.

Ohio Change Leaders for Just Schools: Please Join Us!!!
https://ohea.org/ohiochangeleadersforjustschools/
NEA’s Leaders for Just Schools launched in 2018 to help prepare educators to advance local, state, and national education policies that to increase equitable outcomes for every student. The program helps NEA members deepen their cultural awareness, identify and implement culturally responsive teaching practices, and gain the skills and knowledge that will empower them to create learning environments that are fair and equitable and encourage students to live as their authentic selves.
Program Mission:
The Leaders for Just Schools program helps NEA member leaders better understand how they can cultivate just schools for students of every race, place, background, and ability. The NEA’s vision is a great public school for every student. The core values of the Association are centered on this vision.
Program Goals:
Create a network of educator equity leaders who have the knowledge and experience to apply provisions in local, state or federal policy to advocate and lead school, community, and district-based efforts that will advance equitable outcomes for all students
Learn more about the NEA Leaders for Just Schools program: https://www.nea.org/.../leadership.../leaders-just-schools
Get Involved!
The OEA Leaders for Just Schools cohort will be convening a working meeting for OEA members on July 10 – 11th in Columbus. The purpose of this meeting will be to work as a team to identify ways in which you can use the Leaders for Just Schools model to make an impact on your community. Participants will be guided through an equity audit and then given the space, time, and resources to build a plan. As part of the process, participants will have the opportunity to network with other attendees with the goal of building connections around common areas of interest.
Participation is limited to OEA members in good standing and attendees are required to be present for the entire event. Participants will be provided with overnight accommodations in Columbus (including parking) and all meals.

🏐 The Columbus Fury is showing its appreciation for educators as part of the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10. Ohio’s professional indoor volleyball team, based out of Nationwide Arena in Columbus, is offering a $15 discount off tickets for the match on Saturday, May 4th, when the Fury take on the Omaha Supernovas.

Just use the promo code COLTEACHER when you purchase your tickets.
https://www.ohea.org/event/columbus-fury-may4/

Columbus Fury Ohio’s New Educators OEA Aspiring Educators

A BIG thank you for those who came out to bowl tonight.

What an AMAZING delegation at the 2024 Central Representative Assembly we have gathered, to do the annual business of our STRONG Association!

OEA wants to remind our members that will be receiving your STRS Ballot in your mailbox this week. Please do not throw it away. This document will contain your unique pin code. YOU CANNOT VOTE WITHOUT THIS PIN!

You have three easy options to vote before the May 6, 2024 deadline:
️📫 MAIL You can fill out the paper ballot and return it using the included pre-paid envelope.
💻️ VOTE ONLINE Go to https://vote.escvote.com/strsoh and enter the last four digits of your social security number as well as the Election Validation Number (EVN) provided to you with your paper mail-in ballot.
️📞 CALL the phone number included in with your ballot and follow the automated instructions to enter the last four digits of your social security number. You will also need to use your personal pin number to cast your ballot online.

️If you do not receive your ballot or misplace it, you will need a new ballot. Call Elections Services Corporation at 866-276-1506 or [email protected]

🤞 As a reminder, OEA recommends that active members vote to elect OEA Member Sandy Smith Fischer for the contributing member seat on the STRS Board.

Register on centraloeanea.org !

Looking to get more involved on a deeper level? Learn more about EdActivists!
https://www.ohea.org/get-involved/the-educator-activists-to-do-list/