Public Education Matters

The Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals (OASNP) has been a department in the Ohio Education Association since the early 1980's. The group has grown over the years to include those who serve people with disabilities both through county boards of developmental disabilities and in traditional public school settings. But, as OASNP prepares to host its annual conference in February, leaders say OASNP and the event are valuable for all OEA members. 

• Chrissy West, OASNP Chairperson
  • Christina West is the current chairperson of the Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals and has worked for the Portage County Board of DD for 17 years. Her current role is working with students and school districts to transition students out of school services into adulthood. She is an active member of OEA and holds a seat on her local city council. 
• Jené Wilson, OASNP Immediate Past Chair
  • Jené has been an active member of the unified Association since 1973, when she started teaching. She held all offices except Treasurer in her local as well as served on several committees, including as chief negotiator several times. She continues to be active within NEOEA and OEA, serving on several committees. She is a founding member of The Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals (OASNP,) which was formerly Ohio Association of Professionals for the MR/DD (OAPMRDD) and then Ohio Association for DD Professionals (OADDP.) She has served as Secretary, Vice-Chair and Chairperson of OASNP, and is currently the Immediate Past Chairperson. 
  • Currently: OEA Organizing Strategy | NEOEA: Summer Leadership, Resolutions, Publications, Communications Committees; Public Relations Committee Chairperson |Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals (OASNP) Past President | Student Teacher Supervisor at Cleveland State University – 2 years
  • Previously: Local President – 10 years |Contract and Grievance Chairperson – 11 years | Chairperson, OASNP - 5 years | OASNP Vice-Chairperson – 24 years |NEOEA/OEA RA delegate – 32 years | NEA RA delegate – 22 years | NEOEA Unit 10 Board of Directors Representative – 3 years | Uniserv Secretary | Local Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary | NEOEA and OEA Legislative and Resolutions Committees – 6 years each | OEA Local Development and Training – 6 years | NEOEA Elections Committee – 3 years | Teacher/Behavior Specialist at Cuyahoga County Board of DD – 36 years | Adjunct at Notre Dame College – 10 years

• 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

• 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 an Emmy Award winning 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.