Public Education Matters

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 everyone. 

• Melissa Supanik, Buckeye Local Classroom Teachers' Association President
  • Melissa Supanik, MA Educational Administration, hails from a strong union family so it's no wonder that when approached she became a member of the union without hesitation.  A product of Buckeye Local (class of 1984), she began her life long career there upon graduation from Franciscan University in 1988 and plans to retire in May 2023.  During the last 34 years she has served in many capacities ranging from preschool teacher to building administrator.  Serving as president of the association for the last 2 years has given her the opportunity to assist her union sisters and brothers to ensure a stronger and more viable future.

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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.