Public Education Matters

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.  

• Phil A. Long, OEA-R Vice Chair
  • Following an education career of 35.5 years teaching mainly social studies and language arts in the Celina City School system, Phil retired in 2011. During that time, he has continued to travel to over 105 countries and volunteer with various service organizations. Phil volunteers with Our Home Family Resource Center and maintains a connection with Children’s International Summer Villages, a non profit organization promoting peace and cultural understanding, which he has volunteered with since 1982.
  • Phil is currently serving as vice chair of the Ohio Education Association- Retired where he works to involve retirees in educational issues especially those affecting retirees. He has also participated in various NEA-R events and activities. 
  • Since 2014, Phil has served on the Mercer County Board of Elections having served three years as chair. He also served as a Trustee of the Association of Ohio Election Officials. In 2021 Phil was appointed by the OAEO as the representative to the Kids Voting Ohio Board.
  • Education and elections have been major elements of Phil’s life.  Education as critical to bettering the community and world in which we live. By instilling in young people the need to participate in one’s knowledge about the importance of voicing an opinion while respecting other’s point of view, we learn to appreciate and respect other people. The more we know about other people, cultures, and civilization, the better we learn to understand and respect differences. People can have differing opinions and vote differently, but respect is key to working together to make the world better for future generations. 

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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.