United for Public Education: Why you can't afford to miss this year's Summer Leadership Academy
Although we're heading into the final weeks of the school year, learning should never stop. OEA members have the opportunity to learn from each other, improve their practice for their students, and build their skills and relationships at this year's OEA Summer Leadership Academy June 22-24 in Columbus. In this episode, we're sitting down with two OEA members who are presenting at SLA about why this is such a valuable experience for educators. We're also hearing from one of the OEA staff members who is co-planning the event about why a fireside chat with the keynote speaker, Tyler James Williams from Abbot Elementary, is just one of the many draws for this year's SLA conference.
REGISTER NOW FOR SLA | The OEA Summer Leadership Academy is designed to help OEA members at all levels of the association realize and develop skills and talents as leaders of their profession and their association while building relationships and organizing for power.
REGISTER NOW FOR SLA | The OEA Summer Leadership Academy is designed to help OEA members at all levels of the association realize and develop skills and talents as leaders of their profession and their association while building relationships and organizing for power.
- June 22-24, 2026 - Hyatt Regency Columbus (350 N High Street, Columbus, OH 43215)
- More information and registration at https://cvent.me/z0aWP9
- Registration deadline: June 1
- 2026 Summer Leadership Academy Features:
• Annual OEA District Leaders Event open to all Summer Leadership Academy attendees
• Meet and Greet with Ohio’s 2026 pro-public education candidates
• More than 40 unique sessions to meet your professional learning needs
• NEW! A wellness session block focused on balance, care, and creativity
• Time for you to connect with your colleagues, learn together, and reflect on how OEA members are United for Public Education
JOIN OEA FOR MORE SUMMER FUN | In addition to this year's Summer Leadership Academy, OEA is offering several other opportunities for educators to come together while school is out:
- GOLF OUTING | Join OEA at Champions Golf Course before you head to SLA on Monday, June 22, 2026.
- Click here for full details and info about registering your foursome or signing up to attend as a spectator.
- SUMMER CELEBRATION OF DIVERSE READERS | OEA and the Dayton Education Association will be giving away thousands of free books featuring diverse characters, written by diverse authors at the 4th annual Summer Celebration of Diverse Readers on Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lohery Recreation Center (2366 Glenarm Ave. Dayton, OH 45420)
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Featured Public Education Matters guests:
- Mackenzie Leonard, Van Buren Education Association member
- Mackenzie is the EL Program Coordinator and ESL teacher at Van Buren Schools, where she works with students grades PK-12. She is also a member of the Ohio TESOL Board and a proud member of OEA's EL Cadre. Kenzie is a graduate from THE Ohio State University as well as from BGSU and has a passion for developing and fostering cultural awareness and multicultural experiences within small-town communities. Kenzie is a daughter, sister, and "Mama" to her ever-energetic daughter, Palmer!
- Joie Moore, Pickerington Support Staff Association President
- Joie Moore serves as the president of the Pickerington Support Staff Association, as a board member of Central OEA/NEA, and on the OEA Board of Directors, representing Central Unit 2. Additionally, she is the Vice Chair of the Ohio Association of Education Support Professionals. She was a participant in the OEA ESP Educator Voice Academy and a 2023 NEA ESP Leadership Academy graduate. Joie is married to Greg, a fellow OEA member, and they have two adult children, who both graduated from Pickerington Schools, Frankie and Nick. In her downtime Joie enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and reading.
- Daria DeNoia, OEA Education Policy and Practice Consultant
- In her role as an Education Policy and Practice Consultant for the Ohio Education Association, Daria DeNoia (she, her) advocates for best practices and equitable policies for Ohio educators at the state level, and provides professional development for OEA members that supports their teaching practices. She has been a special education teacher for young children with significant needs in an urban school district, an experiential pre-school teacher, and a program coordinator for an educational equity organization. Daria believes that communities are strongest when all people work together to create systems that support their needs, and works as a community organizer to build local power. She has her B.A. in English Literature and American Studies from Rutgers College, her M. Ed. in Special Education from the University of Dayton, achieved National Board Certification, and is a certified Restorative Practices Facilitator through IIRP.
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About us:
- The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 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 April 14 and 22, 2026.
