OEA

After an "inaccurate, cruel, and politically motivated" state board of education meeting on Thursday and deadline week at the Capitol, it is time to check in with OEA's legislative expert Ivy Riggs.

Your first years as an educator can be especially difficult, so the OEA created the New Educators of Oklahoma Network (NEON) to help those newest to the classroom network and feel supported. Melani Ford, a Mid-Del pre-K teacher, and Kevan Dunkelberg, a Noble drama teacher, are joined by OEA early career coordinator Josh Frazier to talk about the benefits of NEON, the relationships they have made along the way, and their vision for growing the network of future leaders.

As an OEA member, you are automatically allowed special benefits through NEAMB.com on everything from insurance (life, home, car, even pet!) to student loan forgiveness to discounts on travel and online shopping at over 3,000 sites. Please check it out to ensure you are making the most of your OEA membership.

We also share the story of Terri Story, Mustang Creek Elementary's library media specialist, and the school's media assistant Salinda McCubbins, who transform the inside of their library into a magical Polar Express for students as part of their professional mission as educators to cultivate a lifelong love of reading.

This week we are joined by Rep. Mark Vancuren (R-Owasso), a 32-year biology teacher and basketball coach before running for office in the 2018 wave of educators.  The House Common Education Committee Vice-Chair speaks about multiple education bills he authored, including the HB 1423 Education Employee Assistance Program that would provide mental health and counseling for any education employee. 

Katherine and Ellen also recap a robustly successful organizing conference, SB 99, and the Teacher of the Year announcement.

Isabelle Esau is a junior Elementary Education major at UCO and president of the Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association (OAEA). She joins OEA Aspiring Ed Coordinator Josh Frazier to talk about the return of "Outreach to Teach," a yearly OAEA program that collects donations to improve an Oklahoma public school. On Friday, March 3, they will paint, clean, and beautify Coolidge Elementary in Enid — all while getting to know each other and making an impact in the community.

Ivy Riggs also returns to break down the education bill that passed the house, the apparent defeat of an anti-OEA bill, deeply concerning statements made by the State Superintendent at the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, and the response by House Republicans like Mark McBride who disagree with the Superintendent's rhetoric.

The Oklahoma House Republican Caucus unveiled their education plan, which differentiated from agendas laid out by the Governor and State Superintendent. It included a $2,500 pay raise for all teachers, a substantial investment into the general education fund, but also included tax credits for private and home schooling. While there is still a long way to go, and the legislation can still change dramatically, OEA legislative expert Ivy Riggs breaks it all down — the good, the bad, and the could be prettier.

In an eventful week for education news in Oklahoma, we break down the Governor's State of the State from Monday, as well as a poll conducted by the Tarrance Group released by the Oklahoma Education Coalition on Tuesday that showed 74% of Oklahomans oppose giving tax dollars to private schools.

Dr. Nicole Been, University of Oklahoma Associate Athletic Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, joins the pod to discuss how DEI  strategies and initiatives help everyone reach their highest potential.

Former teacher, principal, and friend of the pod, Rep. Melissa Provenzano, returns to Fried Okra to preview the legislative session, including education bills she has authored and the importance of listening to what actual Oklahoma educators say they need.

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If you thought a budget proposal would be uneventful, think again. Ivy Riggs returns to break down what happened with the State Superintendent's inauspicious rollout of his plans to allocate Oklahoma education dollars.

It's deadline week for bills at the Capitol with over 3,000 total bills submitted. Sen. Adam Pugh (R-Edmond), chair of the Senate Education Committee, also rolled out 13 proposed bills comprising his education plan. During a press conference, Sen. Pugh laid out a vision that included teacher pay raises, maternity leave, and increased funding. Ivy Riggs returns to break down why there are plenty of signs for optimism.

Fried Okra also welcomed Rep. Ronny Johns (R-Ada) to the pod to break down his four education bills, including HB 2412 that would give education support professionals an overdue and well-earned 6% pay raise.

This week we are excited to be joined by Woodward teacher Jolynn Love and Superintendent Kyle Reynolds from Woodward Public Schools. They share their success stories from getting students involved in "Teach Oklahoma" that allows them to explore a future in teaching at education programs in colleges across the state. Find out how to get your district involved here.

Ivy Riggs also returns to the pod to break down the recent changes at the State Board of Education, plus the inauguration of the Governor and new State Superintendent of Public Instruction.