OEA

Rowdy Washburn and Rena Grissom of New Educators of Oklahoma Network, or NEON, explain the value of NEON and other resources within OEA for professionals in their first few years in the classroom. They also explain that, while this may be unprecedented times for everyone, new teachers especially are looking for guidance and understanding.

Heather Sparks joined the OEA while still a student and has been a member and avid supporter ever since. The 2009 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year currently oversees a program at Oklahoma City University that educates new teachers embarking on their classroom career. While she sees the struggles the future of education faces every day, Sparks lets us know these new educators are up for the challenge in creating a brighter future for our students.

The State Department of Education has a Child Nutrition program that oversees federal food service programs, national school lunches, child and adult food care program, daycare centers, and many others that help feed Oklahoma children. Alicia and Carrie speak with their executive director, Jennifer Weber, about this important work.

Alison Taylor is the president of the Oklahoma PTA and she joins the pod to discuss the importance of parents and education professionals working together with a common goal of improving public education for our students/children.

This Friday we are joined by Kris King, lead organizer for VOICE (Voices Organized In Civic Engagement), who discusses their upcoming roundtable for Congressional District 5, which will include candidates and lawmakers from every level in the state.

Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer, or P-EBT, provides benefits to people across Oklahoma. You may have received a letter with a card with their information. Do not throw it away! Jordan Park and Devin Schroeder from Hunger Free Oklahoma explains why it's so important, as one in five kids in this state were food insecure even before this pandemic.

Go to hungreeok.org/pebt for more information.

The Census is a crucial aspect of how we count every person to ensure the proper amount of resources are allocated to your area, including representation. They happen every 10 years, which includes 2020, so Fried Okra spoke with Josh McGoldrick, chief of staff and general counsel for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce about how educators can help. If you have not filled out the census, please do so here or by phone at (844) 330-2020.

OEA's Center for Advocacy is on the front lines ensuring that the rights of educators are met. Every advocate we send across the state has worked in a classroom before and understands the challenging situations that can arise. One of those advocates, Cal Ware, joins the show to shine a light on him and the hard work advocates do fighting for educators.

In honor of this extended weekend holiday, Fried Okra presents a special Labor Day episode. We are joined by American Federation of Teachers OKC's first ever Black president, Torie Shoecraft, about the importance of solidarity among workers and what the role of the labor movement going forward.

We are also joined by the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Labor, Leslie Osborn, who explains the unique and necessary functions of her department, like ensuring escalators and roller coasters are safe, to her evolution from a successful business owner, to lawmaker, to a state commissioner who advocates the importance of this state investing in itself.

Also, stick around for a terrific performance by OEA member, and friend of the pod, Aaron Baker, of a song dedicated to the labor movement. Solidarity!

Our head of legislative and political organizing, Amanda Ewing, returns to the show to discuss recent primary elections in Oklahoma and what we need to be doing down this final stretch before the major election this November.

OEA's teaching and learning center is a terrific resource that provides services such as traveling (or Zooming) to districts across the state offering free professional development. Laura Miller, one of our T&L specialists, joins the show to discuss their new "Tips and Tricks Tuesday" series for educators that will premiere as a Facebook Live on Tuesday, September 2, at 4pm on OEA's page.

Legislative guru, Ivy Riggs, returns to the pod with Choctaw-Nicoma Park Association of Classroom Teachers President, Amber Spradlin, to discuss how people can still get involved in campaigns during a pandemic.

Oklahoma Teacher of the Year, Jena Nelson, also shares her incredible journey from a life-changing high school teacher, to a career in the film industry, a switch to education, and ultimately using her voice to stand up for students and educators as Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister returns to Fried Okra to discuss everything back-to-school; the process, her proposal to the state board, how districts have responded, and how we adapt in the future.

Local author and educator, Dennis Mathew, who was featured on our DEAR Oklahoma series last April, hops on the podcast to talk about his journey into being both a writer and speech pathologist. You can find his work at booksbydennis.com.

OEA legislative guru, Amanda Ewing, returns to Fried Okra to discuss the process of interim studies at the Capitol and which ones of the over 100 recently approved affect education.

Speaking of interim studies, Rep. Jacob Rosecrantz, and Norman educator, Hailey Couch, speak on their collaboration for "How Play-based Learning Leads to Better Mental Health and Better Academic Outcomes" interim study. Research shows that play-based learning is essential for children's academic, social, emotional, and physical development. Additionally, play is the most accessible approach to learning for young children. Evidence suggests that children love playing because it allows them to practice, apply, and extend new learning.

OU Medicine’s pediatric infectious disease expert, Dr. Donna Tyungyu, for a special video edition of Fried Okra to provide up-to-date accurate information that schools must understand in order to return safely.

Stick around to just after the 28-minute mark to hear a fascinating conversation between members of OEA’s Native American Caucus, NEA Alaska President Tom Klaameyer, and Fairbanks, Alaska Athabascan educator Lynda Leal Prince. It’s an open and honest look at how Native American images have an impact on our students and our indigenous brothers and sisters, and how we all can do better when we know better.