"It was a doozy of a week" is Ellen's understatement of the pod, as we wrap-up a week that began with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction referring to education associations comprised of Oklahoma educators as "terrorist organizations." We also saw the legislature agree to pass one standalone aspect of the education budget. Was it teacher or support staff salaries? (Spoiler alert: No, it's vouchers). Erika Wright, an Oklahoma public school parent and founder of the Oklahoma Rural Schoo...
May 05, 2023•50 min
Katherine is in DC to celebrate Union's Rebecka Peterson, friend of the pod, being named National Teacher of the Year! So Fried Okra used this opportunity for you all to get to know your OEA legislative team a little better. Ivy, Ellen, and Tyler tell their unique stories on their way to becoming an OEA legislative and political organizer. The trio also breaks down the education news from the week at the Capitol, including an update on education budget talks and a positive bipartisan professiona...
Apr 21, 2023•48 min
After last week's negotiation by press release, the Oklahoma State House and Senate are now having in-person conversations surrounding a compromise between the two sides' education plans. There was also major national news regarding an Oklahoma church seeking virtual charter status and a change at Secretary of Education. Ivy Riggs returns to break it all down. National Board Certified Teachers in Oklahoma used to receive a $5,000 stipend until it was removed several years ago. A NBCT stipend is ...
Apr 14, 2023•40 min
It was a week of press releases as the Oklahoma Senate and House continue their stalemate on education funding bills and the State Superintendent grapples with the ruling by Attorney General Drummond that the State Department of Education does not get to create its own laws. The incomparable Ivy Riggs returns to break it down and give you the scoop of what's going on behind the scenes.
Apr 07, 2023•30 min
With so much tumult and confusion around the Capitol this week, there's only person who can break it all down for your education news. Ivy Riggs returns to provide a peek behind the curtain of competing education proposals in the legislature, a State Superintendent spreading vicious content without proof or accountability, and what it all means for the bigger picture of a potentially historic investment in public education and its professionals.
Mar 31, 2023•40 min
After an "inaccurate, cruel, and politically motivated" state board of education meeting on Thursday and deadline week at the Capitol, it is time to check in with OEA's legislative expert Ivy Riggs. Your first years as an educator can be especially difficult, so the OEA created the New Educators of Oklahoma Network (NEON) to help those newest to the classroom network and feel supported. Melani Ford, a Mid-Del pre-K teacher, and Kevan Dunkelberg, a Noble drama teacher, are joined by OEA early car...
Mar 24, 2023•38 min
As an OEA member, you are automatically allowed special benefits through NEAMB.com on everything from insurance (life, home, car, even pet!) to student loan forgiveness to discounts on travel and online shopping at over 3,000 sites. Please check it out to ensure you are making the most of your OEA membership. We also share the story of Terri Story, Mustang Creek Elementary's library media specialist, and the school's media assistant Salinda McCubbins, who transform the inside of their library in...
Mar 10, 2023•37 min
This week we are joined by Rep. Mark Vancuren (R-Owasso), a 32-year biology teacher and basketball coach before running for office in the 2018 wave of educators. The House Common Education Committee Vice-Chair speaks about multiple education bills he authored, including the HB 1423 Education Employee Assistance Program that would provide mental health and counseling for any education employee. Katherine and Ellen also recap a robustly successful organizing conference, SB 99, and the Teacher of t...
Mar 03, 2023•29 min
Isabelle Esau is a junior Elementary Education major at UCO and president of the Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association (OAEA). She joins OEA Aspiring Ed Coordinator Josh Frazier to talk about the return of "Outreach to Teach," a yearly OAEA program that collects donations to improve an Oklahoma public school. On Friday, March 3, they will paint, clean, and beautify Coolidge Elementary in Enid — all while getting to know each other and making an impact in the community. Ivy Riggs also returns t...
Feb 24, 2023•34 min
The Oklahoma House Republican Caucus unveiled their education plan, which differentiated from agendas laid out by the Governor and State Superintendent. It included a $2,500 pay raise for all teachers, a substantial investment into the general education fund, but also included tax credits for private and home schooling. While there is still a long way to go, and the legislation can still change dramatically, OEA legislative expert Ivy Riggs breaks it all down — the good, the bad, and the could b...
Feb 17, 2023•20 min
In an eventful week for education news in Oklahoma, we break down the Governor's State of the State from Monday, as well as a poll conducted by the Tarrance Group released by the Oklahoma Education Coalition on Tuesday that showed 74% of Oklahomans oppose giving tax dollars to private schools.
Feb 10, 2023•28 min
Dr. Nicole Been, University of Oklahoma Associate Athletic Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, joins the pod to discuss how DEI strategies and initiatives help everyone reach their highest potential.
Feb 03, 2023•32 min
Former teacher, principal, and friend of the pod, Rep. Melissa Provenzano, returns to Fried Okra to preview the legislative session, including education bills she has authored and the importance of listening to what actual Oklahoma educators say they need. (25:20) If you thought a budget proposal would be uneventful, think again. Ivy Riggs returns to break down what happened with the State Superintendent's inauspicious rollout of his plans to allocate Oklahoma education dollars.
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 3 min
It's deadline week for bills at the Capitol with over 3,000 total bills submitted. Sen. Adam Pugh (R-Edmond), chair of the Senate Education Committee, also rolled out 13 proposed bills comprising his education plan. During a press conference, Sen. Pugh laid out a vision that included teacher pay raises, maternity leave, and increased funding. Ivy Riggs returns to break down why there are plenty of signs for optimism. Fried Okra also welcomed Rep. Ronny Johns (R-Ada) to the pod to break down his ...
Jan 20, 2023•45 min
This week we are excited to be joined by Woodward teacher Jolynn Love and Superintendent Kyle Reynolds from Woodward Public Schools. They share their success stories from getting students involved in "Teach Oklahoma" that allows them to explore a future in teaching at education programs in colleges across the state. Find out how to get your district involved here. Ivy Riggs also returns to the pod to break down the recent changes at the State Board of Education, plus the inauguration of the Gove...
Jan 13, 2023•47 min
Fried Okra kicks off the new year with Oklahoma's newest teacher of the year, Tulsa Union's Rebecka Peterson. Rebecka shares her inspiring story as an immigrant who lived all over the globe to being a beacon of hope as a math teacher for her students in Tulsa by finding the good in each day. She will travel to all 77 counties in Oklahoma interviewing teachers who are making a difference and sharing their stories to offer words of encouragement for teachers, students and their communities. Nomina...
Jan 06, 2023•30 min
In our last episode of 2022, we speak with two members of the OEA Trauma Cadre, which was created to provide free strategies-rich, trauma-informed presentations to Oklahoma educators. While many Oklahoma educators have attended professional development on the theory of trauma exposure and how it impacts children, OEA’s cadre presentations focus on in-the moment and curricular strategies. Emerging scientific findings and theory are also discussed but are linked to practical strategies. All eight ...
Dec 09, 2022•31 min
Recently, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that Senate Bill 658, a bill that prohibited local school boards from instituting a mask policy unless the governor declared a state of emergency, was unconstitutional and impermissible. The decision was a win for local control of public schools and one that may not have happened without the voices of two Stillwater parents, including an OEA member. Stillwater Education Association President Jenny Bobo and her husband Preston joined Fried Okra to talk a...
Nov 18, 2022•16 min
While the vast majority of OEA Fund for Children and Public Education endorsed candidates prevailed, there were devastating results at the top of the ballot. Ivy Riggs reflects on how educators are feeling and what it all means for the future of public education in Oklahoma.
Nov 11, 2022•21 min
On the last Fried Okra before an extremely close and consequential 2022 general election, we encourage you to not only vote, but engage everyone in your sphere of influence to get out and vote. We also speak with candidate for Oklahoma Senate District 2, Jennifer Esau. A proven advocate for Oklahoma students and teachers, Jennifer Esau has been an educator at Claremore Public Schools for more than 20 years. She is currently a special education teacher at Will Rogers Junior High, and was previous...
Nov 04, 2022•32 min
2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, candidate for State Superintendent, and friend of Fried Okra, Jena Nelson, returns to the podcast. She discusses how an educator at her school (1996 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Stephen Smallwood) changed her life and motivated the 17-year educator to fulfill the legacy of her mentor by continuing to give every child a chance at something better. She also shares the stories of families across Oklahoma concerned about vouchers and the uncertain future for publi...
Oct 28, 2022•27 min
Oklahoma Parent Teacher Association President Lori Wathen joins the pod to discuss the support parents across the state have for their educators, regardless of the narratives some may push, and the important GOTV efforts the PTA is doing to encourage parents to vote for pro-public education candidates. OEA Vice President Cari Elledge also stops by to break down the OEA's member-driven budget process and how crucial it is for their input to be heard. If you are an OEA member, be on the lookout fo...
Oct 21, 2022•30 min
Gabrielle Jacobi joined the Oklahoma Policy Institute as its Child Well-Being Policy Analyst / KIDS COUNT Coordinator in March 2021 after more than two years as a Program Coordinator at the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. KIDS COUNT provides legislators, public officials and child advocates with reliable data, policy recommendations and tools to advance policies that benefit children. Gabrielle breaks down the newest release of data and where Oklahoma ranks. Fried Okra also brings bac...
Oct 14, 2022•39 min
State Superintendent, Gubernatorial Candidate, and friend of Fried Okra, Joy Hofmeister, returns to highlight the Dolly Parton Imagination Library initiative in Oklahoma, why she prioritized pay raises for educators in the education budget sent to the legislature, and her vision of a future where Oklahoman fully invests in public education. We are also joined again by Tyler Outlaw, who breaks down some education-related interim studies -- including an exciting community schools program.
Oct 07, 2022•48 min
A recent report showed positive gains across Oklahoma in state testing, as we continue to climb out of the pandemic. Deputy Superintendent of Assessment, Accountability, Data Systems, and Research at the State Department of Education, Dr. Bryan Koerner, breaks down the numbers and the positive outcomes from the perseverance and hard work of the state's students and educators. Parents and school leaders can access assessment guidance, tools, and support resources for understanding these results a...
Sep 30, 2022•27 min
It was a busy week in legislative news, as the state board of education approved Superintendent Joy Hofmeister's proposed budget that would include a $5,000 raise for teachers and $66 million in additional funds for school districts for counselors and support staff. Ivy Riggs joins the show to break it all down. We are also joined by Vicki Behenna, candidate for Oklahoma County District Attorney. Behenna was on the team of lawyers to help convict Timothy McVeigh and has been the head of the Okla...
Sep 23, 2022•36 min
Veteran, teacher, and State Rep. Logan Phillips (R-Mounds) was not re-elected after his district was gerrymandered, but that doesn’t mean his advocacy for public education is done. He discusses the importance of federal funding in Oklahoma, broadband access, and his revealing new data-driven study just released on the dangers vouchers pose to Oklahoma communities by siphoning precious resources from our public schools.
Sep 16, 2022•31 min
Chair of the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee, Misty Bradley, discusses how her upbringing in rural Oklahoma gave her a lifelong appreciation for public schools and how becoming a mother encouraged her to get involved. Visit okplac.org for more information. We are also joined by former history teacher and current OEA election guru Tyler Outlaw on not just making sure you are registered to vote, but sharing information on how to vote and which candidates are best for public schools wi...
Sep 09, 2022•34 min
For Labor Day Weekend, Fried Okra is excited to be joined by Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborne, who was captivating speaking about educators as a workforce and what Oklahoma must do to fix a critical labor shortage. (Spoiler alert: Pay educators more and treat them with more respect!)
Sep 02, 2022•29 min
Legislative expert Ivy Riggs returns to the pod to discuss the fallout from last Tuesday's primary runoff results, what it means for public education, and why our advocacy for pro-public education candidates must grow louder. We also bring back friend of Fried Okra, Andy Moore, CEO of Let's Fix This OK, to talk through Oklahoma's abysmal numbers in voter participation, what we can do to get more people to the polls, and the opportunity it creates moving forward into the general election.
Aug 26, 2022•57 min
