2019 Ohio Education Association Representative Assembly

On Friday, May 10, nine delegates from Medina City Teachers Association attended Day 1 of the Ohio Education Association Representative Assembly. Our task was an important one: advocate for our colleagues and students by voting for our leaders and debating and voting on policy.

We arrived on Thursday for our registration and networking, where we attended an election event for Jeff Wensing, who was running for the position of Vice President of OEA. Of course you realize that I can't resist a good selfie, so I'm warning you right now that there will be plenty of them. See if you recognize anyone.

Jeff Wensing, former President of the North Eastern Ohio Education Association

Mary Alice Conkey, Executive Director of the North Eastern Ohio Education Association

On Friday, we started bright and early at the Columbus Convention Center with introduction ceremonies and candidates' speeches.

David Hamman, President of Medina Teachers Education Association

Rob Thompson, who is apparently part of the Witness Protection Program, and Laina Makepeace, Treasurer of MCTA

Medina Delegates: Rob, Laina, Lori Berger, Katie Shaffer, Bradley Dalzell, Ed Dargay, Sherri Hufford, David Hamman

I had time for a mascot selfie!

We heard speeches from Jim Figley, WEA, and Scott DiMauro, Vice President of OEA, who were both campaigning for the office of President of OEA. We also heard from Jeff Wensing, Sophia Rodriguez, and Adrienne Bowman, who were running for Vice President of OEA. The speeches were all very well-done and it made me happy that we had such good candidates from which to choose.

Scott DiMauro

Jeff Wensing

After speeches, we had a lunch and voting break. It was so exciting to see 900+ delegates lining up to vote for our officers. I had time for more selfies with fellow-delegates and officers.

Scott DiMauro, Vice President of OEA

Sharron Callahan, OEA Director

Nicole Stratton, Copley Teachers Association President

I always take pictures with Copley delegates because I like to send them to my daughter. It kills her that I'm spending time with her teachers.

When we came back, we saw the awards for members who have contributed to the Fund for Children and Public Education. This was a special moment for me because my friend Steve Pierce earned a Lifetime Achievement Award, and my friend Jen Pierce, his wife, was accepting it on his behalf. Steve passed away two months ago, and his friends and family still deeply feel his absence. On this occasion, we were lucky to remember his generosity and dedication to public education. Becky Higgins, OEA President, said some kind words about him as Jen accepted the award.

Becky Higgins, Jennifer Pierce

The election for Vice President was pretty exciting because we had three strong candidates, and as predicted, there was a run-off vote, so off we went to the polls to vote again after a caucus with NEOEA.

As we waited for the results of the second vote, Vice President Scott DiMauro orchestrated a very touching tribute to Becky Higgins, as this was her last OEA RA. Some very impressive people spoke for Becky, including Senator Sherrod Brown, Betty Sutton, and many people whom Becky mentored during her tenure as President.

Nicole Stratton speaks of Becky's mentorship.

Becky Higgins

Betty Sutton made a live appearance!

We were pleased to hear the results of the election:

Our new OEA President is Scott DiMauro!
Our new OEA Vice President is Jeff Wensing!

I am confident that under their leadership, OEA will be stronger than ever. I look forward to being a part of that future.

On Saturday, we debated and voted on New Business Items. These were resolutions that delegates wished OEA to adopt, and there was vigorous debate about all of them. These resolutions included strengthening our lobbying to repeal and replace RESA, eliminate state testing and reliance of testing scores for teacher evaluations and school report cards, and adopt a state-wide non-discrimination policy for our LGBTQ students and colleagues.

Needless to say, it was a busy weekend! I drove home on Saturday afternoon exhausted but happy with our work.

The next step is the National Education Association Representative Assembly in July in Houston, Texas, and Katie Shaffer, Bradley Dalzell, and I will be attending. I am looking forward to representing MCTA on a national level.

Not gonna lie: the selfie game is going to be ON POINT!!!