Public Education Matters

Every year, deserving OEA members receive awards and scholarship money to further the work of pioneering educators and OEA staffers who have come before them. But today's active educators may not know much about the people for whom those scholarships and awards are named, who made their marks decades ago. We asked some of the retired educators who worked alongside a few of them to share their memories. 

• The deadline for all applications is January 27, 2023. 

• Bob Maher, OEA-R Racial and Social Justice Committee vice-chair  
  • Robert "Bob" Maher is a retired elementary teacher living in Athens County, Ohio. He met his late wife Linda while attending Ohio University and working as a graduate assistant. They decided to remain in the area after he graduated because several members of her family lived in Athens County. Bob worked in Morgan and Athens County public schools for the next 34 years teaching grades 3-6. He also taught at Ohio University as an instructor in the College of Education. He was active in the Federal Hocking Teachers Association in a variety of roles, including president, and served as a long-time delegate to the OEA and NEA Representative Assemblies. Bob's work on Conflict Resolution education and international education curricula was recognized at the local, statewide and national level over the course of his career. His passion for peace and justice work continues today with his role as vice-chair of the OEA-R Racial and Social Justice Committee and his volunteer work for the Athens Catholic Community on peace and justice and environmental issues. Bob has been a hospice volunteer for 10 years. He has traveled to all 50 states and several countries on 3 continents, and looks forward to visiting more. He has 3 adult children, a daughter-in-law, and 4 granddaughters. 
• Don Traxler, life member of NWOEA-R, OEA-R and NEA-R
  • Don was the only son of four children born to Albert and Garnetta Kinley Traxler on the family farm in Wyandot County, Ohio. Don was one of nine graduates with the class of 1954 from Salem Township Local School.  He received his BS in Education from Bowling Green State University in 1958.  His MS in Elementary School Supervision and Administration was conferred in 1965.  He received his PhD in Educational Media from The Ohio State University in December, 1978.
  • Traxler taught in the public schools primarily in northwestern Ohio for five years in grades 5 through 8.  For four years he was the Grand Rapids, Ohio Elementary School Principal half-time and sixth grade teacher in math and science half-time.
    One year, Traxler was the Wood County Supervisor in Grades five through eight and worked with teachers in 21 schools.  He chaired the committee which developed the guidelines for Science in grades 5 through 8.  With the teachers in Grand Rapids, he conducted the research for and established the guidelines for an Elementary School Student Council.  This included the instructions for conducting elections in each classroom K-6.
  • Traxler was employed by Ohio Northern University from August 1968 through July of 1992.  He began as an Instructor and ended as a full Professor in Education.  He served as Department of Education Chair and Director of Teacher Education for seven years.  He served on numerous committees within the Arts and Science College and was University Council Chair for two years.  This included two years as an ad hoc member of the University Board of Trustees.
  • Traxler was Vice President and President of the Wood County Education Association as well as NWOEA.  The only involvement in OEA initially was as a member of the Professional Problems and Teacher Welfare Committee.
  • Elected in December, 1971, Don served as OEA President-Elect from July 1, 1972 through June 30, 1973.  His term as President was July, 1, 1973 through June 30, 1974.  Traxler has been a life member of OEA and NEA since the middle 1960s and has served as a delegate for many years at all levels.
     

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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.