Supporting Diverse Educators - Season 3, Episode 8 Ohio's education workforce is made up of people of all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. This diversity is extremely valuable in our public school classrooms. But, too often, educators of color or those in the LGBTQ+ community don't feel welcomed or valued. Hilliard Education Association President Linna Jordan is working to change that. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or...
Nov 03, 2022•21 min•Season 3Ep. 8
State Supreme Court Candidate Spotlight - Season 3, Episode 7 Ohio's lingering redistricting fight has clearly shown that who sits on the Ohio Supreme Court matters. And beyond redistricting, the Ohio Supreme Court justices also make important decisions on major issues that impact public education, educators and students. That's why OEA members have recommended Justice Jennifer Brunner, Judge Terri Jamison, and Judge Marilyn Zayas for election to three open seats on Ohio's highest court this fal...
Oct 27, 2022•18 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Educators on the Ballot - Season 3, Episode 6 Decisions made in Columbus have an enormous impact on what happens in our classrooms every day. That's why it's so important to elect state leaders who understand the issues facing our public schools. On this episode, we hear from three educators-turned-OEA-member-recommended-candidates who fully understand those issues about how their classroom experience will guide their work in the next General Assembly. MORE | OEA Members can learn more about the...
Oct 20, 2022•24 min•Season 3Ep. 6
" The Kindness Machine" - Season 3, Episode 5 Kindness is an important skill to develop, but too often, we talk about it as an abstract concept without really explaining it in a way that a child can truly understand or put into practice in their lives. Leave it to a teacher to change that! Christina Dankert, a 2nd grade teacher in Sylvania, literally wrote the book on it. She discusses her debut children's book, "The Kindness Machine." SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Education Matters on ...
Oct 13, 2022•19 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Choosing the OEA Member-recommended Candidates - Season 3, Episode 4 Election Day is just weeks away and it is imperative that pro-public education candidates win their races at all levels. Barb Armour, a bus driver in Brunswick City Schools who sits on one of the OEA Fund District Screening Councils, explains how OEA Members decide which candidates should get the support of Ohio's educators. MORE | OEA Members can learn more about the OEA Member-recommended candidates on the ballot in their com...
Oct 06, 2022•21 min•Season 3Ep. 4
The Hard Choice to Walk Away - Season 3, Episode 3 Independence Middle School teacher Jill Wagner was making plans for the new school year when Gov. DeWine signed House Bill 99, gutting the training requirements for school staff to carry guns, and Wagner knew she'd had enough. She made the difficult decision to retire, ending a career she loved. She's certainly not alone. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so y...
Sep 29, 2022•22 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Ohio Parents Trust Teachers - Season 3, Episode 2 Despite the very loud voices of extremist politicians who are calling for book bans and placing other controls on what Ohio's teachers can teach, it turns out that nearly all Ohio parents trust their children's teachers to provide age appropriate instruction and be good role models. Those were among the many findings of a recent survey of Ohio parents by the Children's Defense Fund - Ohio. We dig into the data. READ THE FULL REPORT & EXECUTIV...
Sep 22, 2022•20 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Celebrating Our Wins - Season 3, Episode 1 As the new school year gets underway, Ohio's educators are once again facing major challenges in our public schools. But there are also major reasons to celebrate, and to build on the momentum of those victories to create a better future for all of us. In the first episode of the new Education Matters season, Ohio Education President Scott DiMauro discusses a few of the big wins for public education in our state. SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to E...
Sep 15, 2022•23 min•Season 3Ep. 1
2022 National Teacher of the Year: "We must be true to our students" - Season 2, Episode 34 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell says he's not the best teacher in the country, but it's clear the Oberlin High School teacher the best person to represent our educators and students at this moment in our country, as Ohio and other states face dangerous legislation like House Bills 327 and 616 that would deny our students the opportunity to receive the honest and reflective education they de...
May 26, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Breakfast & Beyond - Season 2, Episode 33 It is a fact: Hungry children struggle to learn. But making sure all students have access to adequate, nutritious meals takes innovation and collaboration. The Ohio School Breakfast Challenge recently recognized 22 Ohio districts who have embraced that mission, naming them Breakfast and Beyond Super Star districts. We're taking a look at some of the newest success stories while looking back at our conversations with previous honorees. MORE | Click he...
May 19, 2022•20 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Avoiding the 'Super Teacher' Trap - Season 2, Episode 32 Ohio's educators are dedicated to serving their students, but too often, early career educators burn out and leave the profession after only a few years. Austintown Fitch High School teacher Jake Reid says he was on the path to becoming one of them because of the pressure he put on himself to be what he called "Super Teacher" every day. He shares his experience and his changed perspective on this episode. MORE | Click here to subscribe to ...
May 12, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 32
OEA Officers: 'We Hear You' - Season 2, Episode 31 This Teacher Appreciation Week, educators need more than just a pat on the back; they need respect and support. They need to be sure that everyone -- from the community members they serve to the state leaders making decisions about their day-to-day operations in the classroom -- sees them and hears their struggles. OEA's president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer have been crisscrossing the state to hear from OEA members directly about h...
May 05, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Buckeye Local Backpay - Season 2, Episode 30 Imagine coming to an agreement on salary issues in contract negotiations only to find out later that someone had made a change that shortchanged every employee for months. That's what happened to the Buckeye Local Classroom Teachers' Association in Jefferson County, which won more than $180,000 in backpay for its teachers and corrected paychecks moving forward after a long, hard fight. The president of that Local says there's a lesson in this for ever...
Apr 28, 2022•21 min•Season 2Ep. 30
A School Librarian's Perspective on House Bill 616 - Season 2, Episode 29 House Bill 616, which was introduced in the Ohio Legislature in early April, combines the worst parts of House Bill 327's 'divisive concepts' prohibitions with Florida's so-called 'Don't Say Gay Law.' Courtney Johnson, a school librarian in Columbus, shares her thoughts on this dangerous legislation and what it may mean for her students. ACTION ALERT | Click here to tell your state lawmaker to reject House Bill 616 ! MORE ...
Apr 21, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Candidate Conversation: John Cranley - Season 2, Episode 28 As the countdown to Election Day continues, Ohio Education Association members are asking the candidates for Ohio governor where they stand on public education issues. OEA has invited all of the declared gubernatorial candidates - both Democrats and Republicans - to share their thoughts. The two Democrats in the race accepted OEA's invitation, and we're hearing from both in this two-part Candidate Conversation series. This is part two. ...
Apr 14, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Candidate Conversation: Nan Whaley - Season 2, Episode 27 So much of what happens in Ohio's classrooms depends on who is leading the state as governor. That's why OEA has invited all of the declared candidates for Ohio governor - both Democrats and Republicans - to speak with Ohio's educators about where they stand on the public education issues. The two Democrats in the race accepted OEA's invitation, and we will hear from both of them in this two-part Candidate Conversation series. This is par...
Apr 07, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 27
“Celebrate Diversity: Read” – OEA-R Members continue Read Across America campaign - Season 2, Episode 26 As Ohio Education Association-Retired members often say, "Once an educator, always an educator." Even after they've ended their careers in the classroom, they're still helping students and Ohio's public schools. One of their many projects is taking part in the Read Across America campaign through the month of March and year round. OEA-R Vice Chair Phil Long explains. MORE | To celebrate Read ...
Mar 31, 2022•20 min•Season 2Ep. 26
H.B. 327's Threat to Higher Education & Beyond - Season 2, Episode 25 Ohio House Bill 327, the so-called "Divisive Concepts Bill," could have devastating consequences for Ohio's students, educators, and schools - K-12 and higher education alike. Royce Carpenter, an assistant professor at Columbus State Community College, is sounding the alarm about what the bill would mean for her students and all Ohioans, if it is passed. She sat down with us to share her personal thoughts. MORE | Click her...
Mar 24, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Recognizing Inspiring School Employees - Season 2, Episode 24 Education Support Professionals are the glue that holds our school communities together. They're the paraeducators, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, secretaries, custodians, security professionals, and more who serve our students every day. And one paraeducator in Maple Heights, Andrea Beeman, is being honored for her work that goes above and beyond the normal duties. The Ohio RISE Award recipient and national RISE Award finalist share...
Mar 17, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Survey Says... - Season 2, Episode 23 Educators across Ohio have had more and more duties added to their plates with very few items coming off their to-do lists. The result has been increasing burn out rates and plummeting morale. The Pickerington Education Association leadership put out a survey to members to get a better handle on how they were feeling and the support they needed. When the school board pushed back on the results, that galvanized the members to make their voices heard even more...
Mar 10, 2022•19 min•Season 2Ep. 23
"Which Cape Will I Wear Today?" - Season 2, Episode 22 About 80% of students entering first grade report having high self-esteem, but that number plummets to just 20% by the time they enter fifth grade. Kiara Berry, a Hamilton Local Schools teacher, is on a mission to change that. She sat down to talk with us about her new, inspiring children's book that is all about promoting confidence and self-esteem. MORE | Click here to subscribe to Education Matters on Apple Podcasts. Click here to subscri...
Mar 03, 2022•20 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Honesty for Ohio Education: 'This is a 10-alarm fire' - Season 2, Episode 21 Most Ohioans believe all children deserve an honest and reflective education that allows them to learn critical thinking skills and become strong future leaders. But, as part of a nationally coordinated and funded effort to manufacture cultural wedge issues and distract from the things that really matter for our schools, some politicians are trying to push through dangerous legislation that would hurt Ohio kids. Honesty...
Feb 24, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 21
STRS Myths vs. Facts - Season 2, Episode 20 Ohio's teachers pay into the State Teachers Retirement System - or STRS - throughout their careers to guarantee a reliable source of income when they leave their classrooms. The health of this pension system is vital to all active and retired teachers. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation swirling around about STRS right now, so we asked OEA's in-house STRS expert Mark Hill to help us sort it all out. MORE | Click here to subscribe to Educat...
Feb 17, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 20
Policy Matters Ohio: 'Spend the American Rescue Plan money!' - Season 2, Episode 19 The federal government is giving Ohio schools $4.4 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act for things like hiring more educators and school counselors and for increasing pay to attract and retain the best teachers for our kids. But, staffing issues that started well before the pandemic continue to force schools to move to close for in-person instruction now. According to the research institute Policy Matters...
Feb 10, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Allen East School Nurse: 'We're resilient, but we need resources' - Season 2, Episode 18 The entire Allen East school community has turned to David Pryer constantly over the last two years, both in his role as an award-winning school nurse and as co-president of his local education association. Sen. Sherrod Brown also turned to Pryer to get his thoughts on mental health and our schools during a recent roundtable. We asked Pryer to share his perspective with us. MORE | Click here to subscribe to ...
Feb 03, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 18
TikTok Real Talk - Season 2, Episode 17 Effective educators connect with their students where they are. Katie Peters, who teaches 10th & 12th grade English in Washington Local Schools in Toledo, has joined TikTok to do just that. One of her recent videos reflecting on the state of the world for educators right now went viral. We asked Dr. Peters to share her thoughts. MORE | Click here to subscribe to Education Matters on Apple Podcasts. Click here to subscribe on Google podcasts. Featured E...
Jan 27, 2022•19 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Columbus Teachers: 'No Heat, No Work' - Season 2, Episode 16 After Columbus Education Association members were ordered to work in classrooms without heat to deliver remote instruction to students who the district acknowledged could not safely learn in that building, those brave teachers exercised their legal right to declare a health and safety work stoppage. That action got quick results and nationwide attention. First grade teacher Michele Hersey shares the story. MORE | Click here to subscrib...
Jan 20, 2022•18 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Featured Education Matters guest: Jennifer Harvey, middle school math teacher, Columbus City School's BlendEd K-8 program "After spending time in the Marines, raising 4 children, and deciding that nursing school was not for me (not a fan of sick people) I started my adventure in education. I have had the honor of teaching grades 2-8, dabbled in curriculum writing, and served as an elementary math coach. I was fortunate to find my niche in middle school where my inner 12-year-old boy finds its fr...
Jan 06, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Featured Education Matters guests: Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13), U.S. Senate Candidate Tim Ryan is running for the U.S. Senate to cut Ohio workers in on the deal. A lifelong Ohioan who lives just a few miles from the house where he grew up in Niles, Tim has spent his career fighting for Ohio workers. He’s seen in his own community what happens when our politics and our economy aren’t working for working people. And he understands that there’s nothing more patriotic than investing in our team, br...
Dec 30, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Featured Education Matters guest: Daniel Grove, Bloom-Carroll Education Association President Connect with us: Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Education Matters topics Like OEA on Facebook Follow OEA on Twitter Follow OEA on Instagram Get the latest news and statements from OEA here Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch About us: The Ohio Ed...
Dec 23, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 12
