Spring 2014COMMUNIQUÉ

You, too, can join our political action team by becoming an Education Advocate Leader. Each Education Advocate Leader can earn a $100 stipend and a T-shirt. Each local can have up to three Education Advocate Leaders (one to represent primary, immediate, and secondary educators or one to represent the different classifications in a classified local, SCOPE or Higher Ed.). To sign up or learn more, visit www.centraloeanea.org/eal

If you’d just like to stay informed of all the latest issues affecting public education, you can join our Advocate for Children and Education email list at www.centraloeanea.org/informed.

Introducing Our New Political Action Coordinator Team

Area 1: Amy GrittaniAmy is currently completing her 15th year teach-ing in South-Western City Schools. She believes it is so important that we stand up for what we, the experts, know is important and right for our students and our profession. That is why she decided to serve as a Political Action Coordinator.

Area 2: Soozie HetterscheidtSoozie is a media specialist in Olentangy City Schools where she works tirelessly to provide the highest quality educational experiences with the staff and students. When not working on her career, she spends her free time with her husband and four children.and four children.

Area 3: Jim TempletonJim has served as the Central OEA/NEA Area 3 PAC since 2006. He teaches Instrumental Music at Kenton Ridge High School in Springfield.

Area 4: Ty Tatman

Area 5: Billie Sarich Billie is currently in her 27th year of teaching at Grandview Heights City Schools, and is currently a Reading Intervention and English as a Second Language teacher for grades K-4. She is passionate about current educational issues and looks forward to serving as the Political Action Coordinator for Area 5.

Ty is a high school English and American History teacher, and an Intervention Specialist at Zane Trace Local High School where he also serves as co-president of his association. Ty is entering his third year as an Area PAC and looks forward to continuing to reach out to each and every local in Area 4 to create a powerful, organized, and energized network of activism for our students and education professionals.

Publication for Members of Central OEA/NEA • Adrienne M. Bowden, President

Spring 2014

2

Central OEA/NEA’s fifteenth annual Winter Leadership Conference, themed Educate, Equip & Empower, was held March 7-8, 2014, at the Dublin Crowne Plaza Hotel. President Adrienne Bowden welcomed everyone to Friday evening’s Presidents Plus dinner. Many first-time attendees joined their presidents to hear guest speaker OEA Executive Director Sheryl Mathis encourage both current and future leaders to get involved, learn about what is going on around them, and go back to their locals and lead. The second day of the Conference offered different leadership tracks. OEA LRC Lynn Davis led the Presidents & Local Leaders track. Attendees heard many useful tips for Presidents as well as information and resources for filing a grievance and enforcing the contract. The Best Practices/Teaching & Learning track had a number of presenters. Thank you to

What A ConferenceMary Kennedy, Hilliard E.A. President, Leadership Development Committee Chair

Plain Local President Mike Covey, Attorney Susan Kowslowski, NCOEA President Becky Mayer, and Dublin Schools Technology teacher Scott Sibberson. Attendees received information about the implementation of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, great resources for available grants, information on using QR Codes that can be immediately used in the classroom, and information about using Google forms. The ESP Forum was led by OEA organizer Jeremy Baiman and OEA LRC Amber James. Attendees came away knowing the importance of being proactive on all levels of organizing as well as how to get ESP issues and concerns in front of the right people. NEA diversity trainers Vivian Davis and Terry Payne, Hilliard Schools teacher Janet Monseur Durr, and Columbus City Schools counselor Jimmie Beall led the Diversity track. Attendees were able to start creating an impact plan for addressing diversity

issues in their locals and had the opportunity to interact with a tremendous group of students from Hilliard City Schools. They also received many resources and materials to address LGBT concerns from the dynamic Ms. Beall. CENTRAL OEA/NEA officers Kevin Griffin and Adrienne Bowden led the Political Action track. Attendees received resources, handouts and information on how to format a political message and how to conduct a successful Fund for Children and Public Education (FCPE) drive. Education Advocate Leaders were introduced to the world of political advocacy and trained in ways to educate and empower their members to be active locally. The keynote speaker, Columbus City Schools

counselor Ms. Jimmie Beall, talked about heroes, shared her story and encouraged participants to stand up and do what is right, no matter the consequences. She stressed that students and educators alike should not be afraid to be true to themselves. It’s our job as educators to equip students with knowledge and self-confidence that will empower them to become their best. Many people were moved by her talk. One student was so impressed that she gave up her Saturday afternoon to stay and listen to her presentation. If you move but one, you are successful.More than 120 Central members participated in the two-day event. Members left excited and empowered. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event successful.

Volume 42, Number 2 • Spring 2014

COMMUNIQUÉPublished four times a year as a service of

CENTRAL OEA/NEA, INC.947 Goodale Blvd.Columbus, OH 43212

Adrienne M. Bowden, President

Kevin Griffin, Vice President

Russell Hughlock, Communications & Organizing Coordinator

Editors Ann Eblin, Judy Furnas & Carla Noll

Fiscal Manager Mark Meuser

Production Russell Hughlock

Design Pam McClung

Phone 614-222-8228

E-mail aa@centraloeanea.org

OEA Executive Director Sheryl Mathis addresses members at the

Presidents Plus dinner

Reynoldsburg Co-President Kim Cooper and Shaina Hutson

Melissa Robey and Jackie Hastilow, Licking Heights ESP

Mary Binegar and Andre PrenoveauDwayne Marshal, Rita Gore and Paige Harding

Spring 2014

3 Central OEA/NEA’s annual Representative Assembly (RA) will be held at Worthington Kilbourne High School, 1499 Hard Rd. Columbus. All local delegates elected to the OEA Representative Assembly are delegates to the Central RA. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.

The agenda will include electing three representatives to the OEA Board of Directors, and four Central Area Repre-sentatives. Also on the agenda will be the adoption of the 2014-15 budget, a collection for the OEA Fund for Children and Public Education, and debate on any business items presented by the delegates.

Scholarships for OEA Summer Academy The OEA Summer Academy will be held August 4-6, 2014. The Academy provides training and current information valuable to experienced and emerg-ing local association leaders to help them succeed in their professional and association leadership roles.

Details will be available early Spring 2014 on the OEA website and at oeasummeracademy.ohea.org.

Central members wishing to attend can apply for scholarships on the Central website at www.centraloeanea.org/members/scholarships.

We’re All Going To The ZooOn June 14 Central will be hosting a complimentary trip to the Zoo for members and their family this year.

We will meet at the Columbus Zoo main entrance. Tickets will be distributed between noon and 1 p.m.

Before everyone sets off to explore the Zoo, we’ll have a picnic at 1 p.m. (burgers, hotdogs, pasta salad, fruit, soda) at the Waters Edge Pavilion #1. Each attendee will receive a Central water bottle, too, just in case it’s hot.

Tickets are limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Each member may reserve up to 2 adult and 4 child (un-der 10) tickets. You must reserve your tickets on the central website at www.centraloeanea.org/zoo.

It should be a fun day. We look forward to seeing you there!

Positions up for election with terms of office beginning Sept. 1, 2014 and ending Aug. 31, 2017, unless otherwise stated:

Central OEA/NEA President;Central OEA/NEA Vice PresidentCentral ESP RepresentativeOEA Board of Directors Unit 2OEA Board of Directors Unit 4OEA Board of Directors Unit 5 (To complete an unexpired term ending Aug. 31, 2015)OEA Board of Directors Unit 7

Central Representative Assembly April 26, 2014

The Growth and Develop-ment Grants are designed to help improve a local’s effectiveness, and this ap-plication deadline is needed for locals planning activi-ties between August and November of 2014. Grant amounts are from $2,000 (for locals with 100 or fewer members) to $5,000 (for locals with more than 800 members) and are awarded for a one-year period. Prior-ity is given to first-time ap-plicants, but previous grant recipients are also encour-

aged to apply. Stipulations may apply—for example, conducting a FCPE drive.

Grant awards will be made following the June board meeting.

More details and the ap-plication form are on the Central Website (www.centraloeanea.org). If you have questions, contact Andre Prenoveau, Central OEA/NEA Project Manager (pm@centraloeanea.org).

Growth and Development Grant Applications are Due by April 15, 2014

Spring 2014

4

OEA Minority Leadership Training ProgramThe OEA Minority Leadership Training Program (MLTP) targets ethnic minority members who have an interest in Association leadership roles and activities.

The training fosters development of an understanding of organizational culture, an appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusiveness, and the identification and demonstration of skills required for effective leadership in a multi-cultural setting. The training also explores the importance of minority involvement at all levels of the Association.

This year, there will be one subsection for novice members and one subsection for experienced members. An emphasis will be placed on the importance of social justice within our Association.

The training for Central members (Region 1) will be held on June 13-14, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza in Dublin. For registration information, contact Demetrice Davis at OEA via e-mail at davisdem@ohea.org.

In February, the Central Executive Board approved the hiring of five Area Political Action Coordinators (PACs): Amy Grittani (Area 1), Soozie Hettersheidt (Area 2), Jim Templeton (Area 3), Ty Tatman (Area 4), and Billie Sarich (Area 5). The Area PACs are employed to assist with various organizing and educational advocacy activities. Their responsibility is to keep each local association informed concerning political issues being discussed in the General Assembly. The Political Action Coordinators’ goal is to educate members concerning these issues, to work with local presidents and Education Advocate Leaders (formerly LPALs) to increase the political activity of local members, to be available to attend local association and UniServ Council meetings, and to assist with political organizing of members.

Education Advocacy in ActionBy Adrienne M. Bowden, Political Action Oversight Chair

In mid-February, the Area PACs spent the day at a training workshop to prepare them for their new role. Throughout the day the PACs learned about various leadership styles, how to assist locals in organizing, the importance of the Fund for Children and public Education (FCPE), how to organize a FCPE drive, and how to assist the local Education Advocate Leaders (EALs).

The next major task for the Area PACs was to recruit and train local EALs. Each local can have up to three EALs who work with the Area PACs to inform members about political issues facing public education. In March, each area hosted a training for members interested in becoming an Education Advocate. The EALs were trained on what their new roles would entail, the importance of effective messaging, the

fundamentals of FCPE and how to conduct a drive, and ways to engage other members in public education advocacy activities.

Central is excited to have these members working for the betterment of all Association members and the students we serve. If you need assistance from your Area PAC, contact information can be found on the Central website at www.centraloeanea.org/political-action/pacs.

If you are interested in becoming an Education Advocate leader, you can sign up on the Central website www.centraloeanea.org/eal. EALs who complete the mandatory requirements will earn a $100 stipend. Please consider becoming an Education Advocate!

Spring 2014

5

The Ohio State University Offers the Teacher Leader EndorsementThe Ohio State University’s Teacher Leader Endorsement is tailored to meet the needs of the working professional educator who aspire to serve in leadership roles within their

school and district while maintaining their positions as classroom teachers. Indi-viduals holding this qualifi-cation are well positioned to support the development of new teachers, lead school improvement initiatives, assist school administra-tors with professional development activities, and attend to other leadership

needs within the school. The Teacher Leader En-dorsement will also help qualify educators for the Lead Professional Educa-tors License, the highest qualification on Ohio’s highest 4-tiered Licensure Structure.

Apply by April 1 for this year’s program. All appli-

The OEA Fund for Children and Public Education State Convention was held on Saturday, February 1, 2014, in Columbus. The two major items of business were to endorse statewide candidates and vote on two amendments to the FCPE Constitution. All candidates running for a statewide office were asked to screen with OEA. Both constitutional amendments were adopted and the endorsed candidates are listed below. OEA endorses candidates who are pro-public education.

Amendment #1: State Council Concurrence in Endorsement

3.16 The screening and recommendations for endorsement of the house district candidates shall be the responsibility of each OEA-FCPE house district committee and district screening council and shall be completed by August 1 of an election year. Endorsement of candidates

requires the concurrence of the State Council.

3.18 The screening and recommendations for endorsement of senate district candidates shall be the responsibility of each OEA-FCPE senate district committee and district screening council and shall be completed by August 1 of an election year. Endorsement of candidates requires the concurrence of the State Council.

Rationale: This change now requires concurrence of the State Council in order to make endorsement

cants must have a master’s degree and completed 4 years of teaching by the enrollment date. See our website ehe.osu.edu/edu-cational-studies/endorse-ments/teacher-leader/ for more information on courses, eligibility, and ap-plications.

OEA-FCPE State Convention Update

in a legislative race. This amendment is based on the rare occurrence when the endorsement guidelines are not followed and a candidate with no ability to win is endorsed over a legislator in a position of power and influence. The local endorsement decision has policy ramification for the entire state.

Amendment #2: Friendly Incumbent Process3.8 The State Council shall establish specific procedures for screening and OEA-FCPE committees shall comply with such procedures. The State

Council may establish procedures for endorsing incumbent, pro-public education legislators without conducting a screening.

Rationale: Under the old Constitution, there was no provision to endorse selected incumbent legislators without a need for conducting a screening in the race. This process will allow the removal of the screening process for our allies.

Attorney GeneralDavid Pepper

State TreasurerConnie Pillich

Secretary of StateNina Turner

State AuditorJohn Patrick Carney

Spring 2014

6

This year’s summit focused on three competencies designed to empower members inside and outside of the classroom: Governance & Leadership, Leading our Professions, and Organizing. The conference opened with a motivating keynote by New York Times bestseller author, Daniel Pink. He discussed the factors that motivate people and used research to demonstrate that merit pay isn’t a motivator for educators. Throughout the conference, participants heard from each of the NEA officers as they explained the leadership qualities required to support a student-centered and association-led organization. The summit closed with a high-energy and inspiring talk from Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, who gave the participants “permission to engage” and fight for a quality education for all our students.

“What we were able to accomplish in the short time we were there was impressive. Most of all, I enjoyed the leadership focus of the event. Each and every session and small group event centered around the leadership focus and allowed me to reflect on my own leadership style as well as ways to empower others to be leaders.” ~Jenny Dotson, Groveport Madison EA

This conference was not just about learning, but about action! Throughout the weekend, members were asked to use technology as a means to engage other members, cyber lobby with representatives back home, and tweet to NEA members unable to attend the conference to share the information they were receiving. Sessions involved leadership surveys to improve participants’ knowledge of themselves, looking at model schools as a resource to improve schools in participants’ home areas, learning how to create a student-centered learning environment, and storytelling to use the power of experience to engage other members in action. It was a weekend filled with learning, networking, and engaging all members for the improvement of public education.

“I…returned enthusiastic and educated! From the moment I arrived on the first day to the minute the summit ended, NEA summit organizers offered leadership training to help me return to Ohio ready to “Educate, Advocate, Agitate and Tackle”. Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams rallied members at the Women’s Leadership Training with her call to educate everyone we encounter about what a great public school needs. The next step, she informed us, was to advocate for those needs to state and local governments, but don’t stop with advocating. Sometimes we have to agitate. Just like the agitation in the washer cleans those dirty clothes, agitation by us will clean out those standing in the way of great public schools.” ~Soozie Hetterschidt, Olentangy EA

Student-centered, Union-led

Further Thoughts from Central’s members

“I went there with little expectation and walked away with a wealth of knowledge that will help me to become a better educator and association member. We are more than an Association that handles bargaining and grievances; we are an Association that wants to ensure a student-centered focus while improving the educational environment. ” ~ Dwayne Marshall, Gahanna EA

“I learned how to take action and promote the importance of quality education in my community. I met other passionate, professional, and influential educators who shared the same vision and desire that I possess.” ~ Kelly O, Groveport Madison EA

“One of the things that I came home with is that the best way to motivate is to show progress every day. If our members feel that they are making progress, even small steps, they will be motivated to continue. ” ~ Mary Kennedy, Hilliard EA

“I learned a lot while I was at the NEA Leadership Summit. We were able to look at the type of leader we are and gain some insight on what type of people we need to have around us. I have many new things that I can try with my local, and I was able to network with people from all over. ” ~ Heather Miller, Pickerington EA

In February, Central OEA/NEA members traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the inaugural 2014 NEA Leadership Development Summit for the East Region.

Annual Reach Out and Read CampaignOnce again, Central OEA/NEA is participating in the annual Reach Out and Read campaign in conjunction with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. We invite all local associations to participate. The goal of the program is to collect monetary donations, as well as new and gently-used books for children from birth through four years of age.

These books are distributed or “prescribed” during well visits at participating pediatricians’ offices through-out central Ohio. If you would like to learn more about the program or sign up your school to participate, please look on Central OEA/NEA’s webpage or contact Michelle Vayansky at Michelle.Vayansky@central oeanea.org. You can also find information about the program by visiting www.reachoutandread.org.

My name is Jamel C. Ammons, and truly it is a great time to be an educator. I am a member of the Newark Teachers Association. Currently, I teach 9th grade world history at Newark High school. Having been actively involved in my local and Central OEA/NEA since 2009, I have inquired, learned, listened and worked to improve the lives of the children we serve and the members we represent.

Thus, I enthusiastically seek your support to serve on the Ohio Education Association Board of Directors. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had the “… audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds …” I believe my experiences have prepared me to help lead in the fight for the realization of this awesome dream here in Ohio.

The Central OEA/NEA Executive Board endorsed Jamel for OEA Board of Directors at-large at the March 2014 meeting.

Central OEA/NEA Executive Board Endorses Jamel Ammons for OEA Board of Directors at-large

From left to right: Cheryl Williams, Asa Schrek, Howard French, Mark Parkey, Krista Rybak

NEA held its annual ESP Conference: Education Support Professionals: Ensuring Student & School Success in San Francisco, California, at the Marriott Marquis from March 7-9.

There were workshops for Advanced Leaders, Emerging Leaders, Diversity, Family-School-Community Partnerships, and Social Justice.

First-timers and Session I workshops were held Friday, March 7, in the afternoon with the Conference Opening and ESP Award Dinner Friday evening. The keynote speaker at dinner was NEA President, Dennis Van Roekel.

Saturday’s lunch keynote speaker was David Esquith, Director, U. S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students, and to end the conference Sunday morning, the keynote speaker was NEA Vice President, Lily Eskelsen Garcia.

Attendees could take sessions in tracts of Advocacy and Economics, Leadership and Organizing, Technology and Communications or Elevating ESP Careers. Attendees could also choose to attend sessions that went across the tracts.

Leaders of Tomorrow: NEA/ESP ConferencePat Stegman, President, Worthington Education Support Professionals

I personally took a course titled, “Eat, Drink, & Be Prepared: Food Allergies in the School Environment,” which taught me how to administer an Epi-Pen which in 29 years of school work, I’d never been trained to do. How enlightening!

I would encourage any ESP who has never been, to attend one of these conferences.

Thanks to Central OEA/NEA for the scholarship that funded my trip!!

Spring 2014

8In this issue2 What a Conference

3 Growth & Development Grants Due

3 We’re All Going to the Zoo

3 Central Represntative Assembly April 26

3 Scholarships for OEA Summer Academy

4 OEA Minority Leadership Training

4 Education Advocacy in Action

5 OSU Offers Teacher Leadership Endorsement

5 OEA-FCPE State Convention Update

6 Student-Centered, Union-Led

7 Leaders of Tomorrow: NEA/ESP Conference

7 Central OEA/NEA Executive Board Endorses Jamel Ammons

for OEA Board of Directors at-large

7 Annual Reach Out and Read

Central OEA / NEA

OSU Offers the Teacher Leadership Endorsement

We’re All Going to the Zoo

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBUS, OHPERMIT No. 204

CE NT RA L O EA/NEA, Inc.947 Goodale BoulevardColumbus, OH 43212

COMMUNIQUÉ

3

What a Conference

2 6

Student-Centered,Union-Led

5

Apr. 17 6 - 8- p.m. Area 2 at Tavern 42, Delaware

Apr. 22 6 - 8- p.m. Area 4 at J.R. Hook’s, Circleville

Apr. 23 6 - 8 p.m. Area 5 at OSU Golf Course, Columbus

Apr. 24 6 - 8 p.m. Area 1 See Central website for location

Apr. 28 5:30 - 8 p.m. Area 3 at Simon Kenton Inn, Springfield

Apr 26 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Central Representative Assembly at Worthington Kilbourne High School

Mar. 9 - 10 OEA Representative Assembly at Veterans Memorial

Jun. 14 Noon - Central Zoo Day at the Columbus Zoo

Registrations for all events are available on Central’s website at www.centraloeanea.org