OEA

In our latest episode, we're thrilled to host Traci Manuel, the State Teacher of the Year and renowned English teacher from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa! Tune in to hear Traci's incredible journey and insights into the world of education.

Tune in to the Fried Okra podcast, as we dissect the latest Oklahoma chaos stirred by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, plus key updates in education news. Don't miss the breakdown!

Former Norman 5th-grade teacher and current OEA Vice President Cari Elledge joins Ellen as co-host this week with legislative expert Ivy Riggs returning for a lively discussion on the pros and cons of deadline week and yet another reported scandal about the State Superintendent.

Ellen and Ivy agree it was a "weird week at the Capitol" with multiple anti-educator voice bills making it through the State Senate, but some promising legislation making its way through the State House. The two legislative experts have a candid conversation about it all.

The indominable Ivy Riggs returns to the pod to discuss Public Schools Day at the Capitol, the good and the bad of education bills making it through committee, and responds to the continued onslaught of false and inflammatory rhetoric coming from the State Superintendent.

2023 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Traci Manuel has a conversation about the current state of public education with OEA President Katherine Bishop in front of a crowd full of educators at the annual OEA Organizing Conference.

Ellen relates the podcast to weekly "legislative therapy" and this week OEA legislative and political organizer Tyler Outlaw returns to the therapy couch to break down some education bills that made it through committee — including another teacher pay raise and a controversial cell phone bill.

On Monday, the governor gave his annual "State of the State" address to the legislature to kick off the 2024 legislative session. Ivy Riggs returns to analyze what was said and give us insight on what to expect at the Capitol over the next few months.

Following back-to-back weeks of State Board of Education meetings, another lawsuit aimed at the State Superintendent, and legislative session kicking off next week, we had to bring back Ivy Riggs to break it all down.

If you come to the Capitol on a Tuesday during legislative session, you are likely to run into a cadre of educators who made the three-hour drive from northeast Oklahoma to advocate for public schools. Kaci Hoffer, a 14th-year reading interventionist from Miami, explains why that journey for Civication helps them build relationships with legislators and share the real issues facing public education in Oklahoma.