Educators belong on local school boards. Plus, OEA's Legislative Scorecard
Local school boards play a critical role in setting the working and learning conditions in Ohio's classrooms every day. That's why it is critical to elect school board candidates who understand the real issues facing our schools and what our students need to learn grow and thrive. In this episode, we hear from two school board candidates running for seats in the Cincinnati area who are able to provide that important perspective as recently-retired teachers. We also hear from OEA's Manager of Government Relations about the upgrades in the works for OEA's Legislative Scorecard, which helps members keep track of how members of the General Assembly stand on education and labor related issues, so they can make informed decisions at the ballot box.
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MEET THE CANDIDATES | Click here to learn more Sycamore School Board candidate Victor Harris; Click here to learn more about Milford School Board candidate Myra Powers.
Featured Public Education Matters guests:
- Myra Powers, Milford Board of Education candidate
- A retired teacher, mother, and grandmother, in Milford, Ohio, Myra Powers taught 41 years in Milford in grades Kindergarten through 9th grade, including general, gifted, and special education classes. Teaching is Powers' passion, and she did everything she could to ensure the success of her students. She regularly tutored students after school and on Saturdays at no cost, often providing transportation. When one of her students could not be placed in a foster home, she became a long-term foster parent. Powers is proud to have been named the Milford/Miami Township Educator of the year. She also received accreditation as a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist. Powers is active in the Milford community and serves as chairperson for the Milford Citizens Advisory Commission. She volunteers at Boyd E Smith Elementary, where her grandchildren attend. She is the chairperson for STEAM Night and she volunteers at Book Fairs, Walk-A-Thons and Field Days. She also volunteers for Feed Our Flock. And, she serves on the board of the Milford Schools Foundation. "I have a proven track record of putting schools and community first! I am excited to continue my service to Milford Schools and our students by serving on the school board," Powers said.
- http://myraformilford.com/
- Victor Harris, Sycamore Board of Education candidate
- Victor Harris is a recently retired Sycamore teacher with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Miami University, who taught History at the Sycamore Junior High for the past 33 years. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he served as the Social Studies Department Supervisor for 19 years and coached numerous sports at the Junior High and/or High School including: Baseball, Football, Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, and Boys and Girls Lacrosse. He was the Sycamore Education Association (SEA) Junior High Building Representative for over 30 years. He was a member of the SEA Negotiations Team as well as these District Committees: Curriculum Steering, Evaluation, Multicultural, Safety, and Supplemental. At the state level, he assisted in writing the 8th Grade Ohio Social Studies Standards and was on the Standards Setting Committee for the Ohio Graduation Test. In these various capacities, Harris acquired an intimate knowledge of the workings of the Sycamore School District and will leverage this to best benefit the district and community.
- https://www.victorharrisforsycamore.org/
- Dan Ramos, Ohio Education Association Manager of Government Relations
- Dan Ramos is from Lorain, Ohio, where he attended school at St. John the Baptist and Lorain Southview High School. After graduating high school in 2003, Dan obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, International Affairs and Philosophy from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH in 2007. Through the 2008 presidential election cycle, he joined the Obama for America campaign, working to help elect President Obama in northeastern Ohio. In 2009, Dan was hired by the Service Employees’ International Union (SEIU) District 1199 WV/OH/KY. Initially working with SEIU as an Administrative Organizer, representing and negotiating contracts for SEIU’s state employees’ division, he became SEIU 1199’s Political and Legislative Liaison in late 2010. In 2011, Dan worked with fellow labor lobbyists and attorneys in the effort to stop Senate Bill 5 while it was in the General Assembly, and then lead SEIU’s efforts field in Central and Northeast Ohio to collect signatures referendum and then defeat SB 5 on the November 2011 ballot. In 2012, Dan moved to the Ohio Education Association. Dan has served as OEA’s Political Advocacy Consultant, where he was responsible for growing OEA’s member political action and legislative advocacy, increasing OEA’s PAC membership, the Fund for Children and Public Education, and assisting in OEA’s political coalitions, such as LEAD Ohio and the America Votes Coalition. In 2018, Dan Ramos moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where he served as a Labor Relations Consultant for the Warren County Leadership Council, representing over 2,400 certified and classified K-12 teachers and ESPs.
- Dan returned to his political role with OEA in 2021, returning as a UniServ Political Advocacy Consultant and then moving into his current role as the Manager of Government Relations in May of 2022. As the Manager of Government Relations, Dan heads up OEA’s efforts to engage the Ohio General Assembly and Members of Congress to advance OEA’s legislative policy priorities, build relationships with Ohio’s elected officials, and engage members in advocacy and accountability programs. Dan also helps coordinate OEA’s political, coalition, and electoral programs.
Connect with OEA:
- Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public 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
About us:
- 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.
This episode was recorded on October 2 and October 11, 2023.
