Public Education Matters

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.

• Michele Hersey
  • First grade teacher at Valley Forge Elementary Columbus City Schools
  • 25 years of teaching experience with the district
  • Alternate building representative for Columbus Education Association

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• 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.