We are thrilled to be joined by Jessica Eschbach, the 2021 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year from Norman, about her year representing teachers throughout the state and her perspective on the work Oklahoma educators do every single day.

Legislative maestro Ivy Riggs also returns to breakdown where things stand with committee and filing deadlines. We also discuss how so many bills seem to target only educators.

Each week during session, one of OEA's legislative and political organizers joins the pod to break down what's happening at the Oklahoma Capitol. This Friday, we'd like to introduce you to our newest legislative and political organizer, Tyler Outlaw! Tyler was a middle school social studies teacher before joining OEA's staff. He talks about going from teaching about the civics process to living it every day.

Then Rep. Mark McBride (R-Moore) makes his first appearance on Fried Okra to discuss HB 3364, a bill he authored to provide stipends to new teachers and college students training to become educators in Oklahoma. Rep. McBride shares conversations he's had with the education community about the dire need for more teachers in the classroom and how they are the greatest commodity our for our state.

On this episode of Fried Okra, legislative guru Ivy Riggs breaks down how a small group of people with a large pool of money can turn their wish lists into copy-and-paste legislation in states across the country.

Then we are thrilled to be joined by former educator and OEA member, Rep. Melissa Provenzano, on her journey through the various levels of public education all the way to fighting for public schools as an elected representative inside the Capitol.

SB 1647, a voucher bill that could have destroyed rural public education, was defeated on the senate floor after a marathon vote late Wednesday night. We discuss the huge victory, the anxiousness of the evening, and how there are so many people to thank for protecting our public schools.

Then we are thrilled to be joined by Rep. Tammy West, who authored HB 3374, a bill that would institute a pilot program for community schools in Oklahoma. The bill passed the house by a vote of 78-12 and now moves on to the senate. Community Schools make use of up to $100,000 per school district of federal funds to allow schools to hire a resource coordinator who becomes familiar with individual student and family needs and pulls together resources available in the local community help meet those needs.

After many expected SB 1647 to be heard on the Senate floor this week, the Senators left for the weekend without holding a vote on the massive voucher bill. This delay is almost entirely due to the advocacy of you, OEA members, our partners in the Oklahoma Education Coalition, and all the community members who have used their voices to stand up for public schools. Ivy Riggs reminds us, though, that just because it doesn't have the votes now, doesn't mean it won't in the future. So stay vigilant.

We are also thrilled to speak with Brittany Hayes, policy director of the Healthy Minds Initiative. Hayes was originally a public school teacher in Oklahoma before noticing "a lot of the issues I was facing were at the policy level." Through their research, Healthy Minds help bring mental health services and systems to the forefront with legislators and communities.

Legislative expert Ivy Riggs returns to the pod to break down the first "deadline week" at the Capitol. Find out the good, the bad, and the ugly on where education bills stand, including a monster voucher bill making it through committee. Please contact your lawmakers, share your story, and let them know our public dollars need to remain in public schools that serve over 90% of Oklahoma kids!

Each year, the Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association selects a school to receive funds for the Outreach to Teach program that honors service to a community. Our winner this year is Lincoln Elementary in Lawton, OK. It is the oldest school in Lawton — established in 1908. They have around 350 student and 91% of their students qualify for free and reduced lunch. Heather Cody from OAEA and Darrell Morris from Lincoln Elementary join us to talk about the impact of this program.

In Carrie's final show as host, she delivers a heartfelt eulogy for her childhood teacher and an important message for all educators to understand the lasting impact they create.

We also speak with Fried Okra's next host moving forward, friend of the show and legislative wizard, Ellen Pogemiller, on the current state of the fight against vouchers at the Capitol.

Following Governor Stitt's divisive State of the State that promoted voucher schemes, and House Speaker McCall's statement that the House will not hear the SB1467 voucher bill, legislative expert Ivy Riggs returns to break down what it all means for educators.

Ted Dintersmith is one of America's leaders in innovation, entrepreneurship, and education. He's written books such as What School Could Be and produced films like Most Likely to Succeed aimed at empowering educators already doing incredible work, inspiring innovation, and improving the student experience. Mr. Dintersmith joins the podcast ahead of his upcoming appearance as the keynote speaker at this year's OEA Organizing Conference Feb. 25-26.

We are just days away from this year's legislative session, which is sure to require our collective energy as much as any other with another onslaught of efforts to divert public funds to private schools and attempts to divide our communities through public education. OEA is also pushing ahead with positive bills — like a much needed pay raise for education support professionals. The dynamic duo of Ivy Riggs and Ellen Pogemiller return to the pod to break down what we can do to help.

The Oklahoma Education Association prides itself on being comprised of educators elected by their fellow members across the state. Adrienne Hall, chair of OEA elections committee, a volunteer position, joins the pod ahead of candidate filing this election season beginning in February.

Our local legislative expert, Ivy Riggs, returns to Fried Okra to discuss a recent OEA member survey on the current state of education, how they are doing, and how the substitute shortage is affecting people. Spoiler alert: educators are feeling disrespected, undervalued, and exhausted.