Supporting student stewards of our democracy. Plus, OEA's Affiliate Grant Programs.
Public education is the foundation of a strong, functioning democracy, and as part of their education opportunities in Bay Village, Ohio, a group of 17- and 18-year-old students is doing their part to support the future of our democracy by becoming poll workers for Election Day on November 7th. The Bay High School teacher who coordinated this opportunity for them shares his thoughts on this episode. We also hear from OEA's Secretary-Treasurer and Assistant Executive Director of Member Advocacy about opportunities for Local associations to get grant money to solve local problems, become more effective in their work as Locals, and support members' wellness.
APPLY FOR GRANTS FOR YOUR LOCAL | Click here for more information about the Special Projects grants, two-year Special Projects grants, and Effective Locals grants through OEA's Affiliate Grant programs. Or, click here to learn more about applying for Wellness Grants for your Local association. Anyone who would like to learn more about the Local Engagement Grant should reach out to their Labor Relations Consultant (LRC).
APPLY FOR GRANTS FOR YOUR LOCAL | Click here for more information about the Special Projects grants, two-year Special Projects grants, and Effective Locals grants through OEA's Affiliate Grant programs. Or, click here to learn more about applying for Wellness Grants for your Local association. Anyone who would like to learn more about the Local Engagement Grant should reach out to their Labor Relations Consultant (LRC).
BAY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE PRESS | If you'd like to check out some of the recent media coverage about Bay High School students becoming poll workers, click here to see the News 5 story, click here to see the WestLife News story, click here to read the Cleveland.com story, or click here to read the story in the Morning Journal.
SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.
Featured Public Education Matters guests:
- Robert Grossman, Bay Teachers Association member
- Robert Grossman has been teaching for 33 years: 29 in public education in the Bay Village City School District at Bay High School. Robert is the Social Studies Department Chair, he teaches Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics and World History, and is the Advisor of the Student Council.
- Mark Hill, Ohio Education Association Secretary-Treasurer
- Mark Hill began his career in public education in 1988, first as a middle school math teacher with Columbus City Schools and later with Worthington City Schools. Mark served as President of the Worthington Education Association from 2010-2018 and has served as a member of the OEA Board of Directors. Mark served as chair of the OEA Resolutions Committee as well as numerous committees for Central OEA/NEA. Mark was also elected to serve two four-year terms on the STRS Board from 2010-2018, serving as Chair and Vice Chair of the Board for each of those terms.
- Mark’s experience in leadership was shaped by the crises of Senate Bill 5 and pension reform. The SB5 attack on collective bargaining took place in Mark’s first year as president of Worthington EA, and he led his local association to participate in the statewide repeal effort. In the same year, as the STRS pension fund faced a solvency crisis, Mark worked with the rest of the STRS board to bring long term sustainability to the pension so that its members could count on a secure retirement.
- As Secretary-Treasurer, Mark has continued to advocate for a budget that reflects OEA priorities including supporting locals, organizing members to support public education, providing professional resources for members, and advocating for high-quality education for all students regardless of race or economic circumstances.
Mark led the Board of Directors to adopt policies that make it easier for locals to recruit members and to ensure OEA has a streamlined process to hire quality staff to consult with locals. Additionally, Mark provides Local Treasurer’s Training differentiated by experience, and offers locals advice on financial reporting, membership enrollment, and issues with local elections.
- Airica Clay, Ohio Education Association Assistant Executive Director of Member Advocacy
Connect with OEA:
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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.
- Public 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 19 and October 23, 2023.
