The State of Ohio's Schools
Education Matters is back for Season 2 and we're kicking things off with a check up on some of the big issues facing Ohio's students, educators, and communities right now. OEA President Scott DiMauro offers his perspective on school funding, COVID-19 precautions, honesty in education, school board elections, and more.
Featured Education Matters guest:
- Scott DiMauro, Ohio Education Association President
- A high school social studies teacher from Worthington, Scott DiMauro was elected President of the OEA in 2019 after having served as vice president for six years. Over his 30-year career as an educator, Scott has worked to provide students the critical thinking and decision-making skills they need to be successful citizens in our democratic society. He has likewise advocated for students, educators, and strong public schools at all levels of his union.
- Connect with Scott on Twitter and Facebook
Featured School Board Candidate:
- David Bothast - Running for Talawanda School Board, Oxford, Ohio
- Currently teaches 5th grade science at an inner city public school in Hamilton, Ohio.
- David Bothast has been actively involved in the "business of education" since completing his active duty US Navy service in December 2001. He has taught in both public and charter schools and undergraduate and graduate university levels, as well. Bothast has served as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for a university in southern Indiana and also a Family Engagement & philanthropy officer for a university in southwest Ohio.
- MORE | To learn more about where David Bothast stands on the issues, check out his campaign website here.
Topics in this episode:
- 1:15 - School Funding
- 4:30 - Electing friends of education, regardless of political party, in 2022
- 5:00 - Redistricting
- 6:05 - "If educators make their voices heard -- and by the way, educators are the most trusted voices in their communities -- we can have a big impact. But it's up to us to start organizing now and to make sure we're holding politicians accountable for their decisions as we move forward in the weeks and months to come."
- 6:45 - Fighting back against attacks on academic freedom and honesty in education
- House Bills 322 & 327
- 12:00 - Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to keep schools open for in-person learning
- 12:35 - "Unfortunately, the pandemic has been politicized."
- 16:00 - Educators running for local school boards across the state
- 18:15 - Talawanda School Board candidate David Bothast
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 Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
- Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May, 2020, after a ten-year career as a television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children.
This episode was recorded September 29, 2021.
