Public Education Matters

Public school educators are called to the profession by a dedication to serving their students. And, before their careers in the classroom, quite a few teachers served their country in the US Military. But not every veteran-turned-teacher knows their years of service in the military counts toward years of service for a higher initial placement on the salary schedule when they begin working for a school district in Ohio. That can mean missing out on a significant amount of money they should be receiving! Delaware City Education Association Member Josh Caslow shares his story of getting the credit he was owed for his time in the Army and National Guard, and his message to other veterans in the education profession.

KNOW THE LAW | Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3317.13 (Minimum Salary Schedule for Teachers), "years of service" includes: 

• "All years of active military service in the armed forces of the United States, as defined in section 3307.75 of the Revised Code, to a maximum of five years. For purposes of this calculation, a partial year of active military service of eight continuous months or more in the armed forces shall be counted as a full year." 
  • Unfortunately, since there is no minimum salary schedule in statute for Education Support Professionals in Ohio, years of military service does not necessarily impact salary schedule placement. But, just like teachers in Ohio, military veterans who become ESPs have the ability to purchase service credit in SERS/PERS, and also have licensure fees waived, if applicable to their position. 

GET HELP | If you are an educator who previously served in the US Military, and you think you should have been credited for years of service that you have not received, please contact your Labor Relations Consultant.

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Josh Caslow, US Army Veteran, Delaware City Education Association member
  • "I’ve been an educator for the last 11 years, teaching grades 5, 6 and 7 math to students at all ability levels.  Prior to education, I served in the United States Army for 6 and a half years, half being active duty and half in the Ohio National Guard.  I have two children, 10 and 13, that I raise with their bonus mom, Natalie Geer."

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on September 10, 2024.

Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Ohio District 14) says being a voice for Ohio's educators in the statehouse has been one of the greatest honors of his life. The OEA-Retired member taught in Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools right up until went to the Ohio House after winning election in 2022. Now, as the OEA member-recommended candidate seeks another term in the General Assembly, Rep. Brennan is reminding educators across Ohio that their voices are crucial in this election. He joins us for this episode to share his thoughts about what he has achieved in office so far, and what he still is working to do, including securing financial support for student teachers, among other aims. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE REP. BRENNAN STANDS | Visit brennanforohio.com to learn more about Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan's campaign for re-election and where he stands on the issues. Click here to read why Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer have endorsed Rep. Brennan for re-election. It reads, in part: 

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE | Election Day is November 5, 2024. Now is the time to make your plan to vote, whether early in-person at your county board of elections location beginning October 7th, absentee by mail, or in-person on Election Day at your local polling location. Early in-person voting ends November 3. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 4. Check your voter registration and find your local polling place at VoteOhio.gov

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Ohio Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan, D-District 14
  • State Representative Sean Patrick Brennan has dedicated his life to public service. He firmly believes that his story informs his calling to public service and proves that the American Dream survives. After his father abandoned his family, his strong mother modeled the importance of family and the satisfaction of a hard day’s work, making their trailer a home and utilizing public assistance only as needed. Sadly, his mother later suffered through an abusive relationship. As a result, Rep. Brennan was blessed when his loving grandmother took him in to help tend the family farm and focus on his studies.
  • Brennan went on to attend the University of Dayton where he graduated summa cum laude earning a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies concentrating in Russian and Soviet Studies. While there, he fell in love with Deena Denk from Parma, where they currently reside and raised their two beautiful children. He has also completed graduate-level coursework in history, political science, economics, and pedagogy at several colleges and universities and has a Master’s Degree in Secondary School Administration from Cleveland State University. Brennan’s scholarly activities involve projects on the subjects of the U.S. Constitution, religious freedom in America, and various other American political and historical topics at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, James Madison’s Montpelier, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, the University of Oxford in England, George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the Bill of Rights Institute in Arlington, Virginia, and the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University.
  • Brennan served as an award-winning public school teacher for three decades, as well as a Parma councilman for nearly two decades, including over a decade as the at-large elected President of Council and the Public Housing Board of Ohio’s 7th largest city. He is active in civic, professional, and charitable organizations, which include founder and board member of the Andrew Boyko Scholarship Foundation, St. Charles Borromeo Parish lector and adult server, Friends of Parma Libraries life member, founder of the Parma Peanut Butter Drive benefitting All Faiths Pantry, founder and past adviser of the Parma Youth Commission, advisory board member of Big Creek Connects, member of West Creek Conservancy, Parma Historical Society, the City Club of Cleveland, German Central Foundation, National Education Association, Ohio Education Association and Northeast Ohio Education Association.
  • An avid runner and advocate of healthy living, Brennan has completed more than 110 marathons, as well as countless other smaller running events. His love of running led to his creation of the annual Parma Run-Walk for Pierogies, which has raised thousands of dollars for local charities. Among other projects, his charitable work led to the creation of the script Parma sign which was subsequently donated to the City of Parma and adorns Anthony Zielinski Park and raising thousands of dollars to assist residents whose incomes were negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in v...

The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 educators across the state, across a wide variety of professional paths and in every stage of their careers. One of the big benefits of membership is having OEA's assistance in bargaining the strongest contracts possible to create the best learning and working conditions possible for everyone. In this episode, OEA Collective Bargaining and Research Consultant Eric Watson-Urban offers his wisdom on the PUMP Act, continuing contracts, and 403(b) special pay plans, three important areas where the law intersects with potential contract provisions and the language every Local bargaining team should be aiming to include in any future agreement.

CHECK OUT THE CHANGES TO OHEA.ORG | OEA just launched the much-anticipated redesign of its website. It is easier to navigate and integrates more seamlessly with the My OEA app than ever before. Take a look for yourself at www.ohea.org.

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guests: 

• Eric Watson-Urban, OEA Collective Bargaining and Research Consultant 
  • Eric Watson-Urban is an experienced negotiator with over two decades of service to the members of the Ohio Education Association (OEA). In his role, first as a Labor Relations Consultant and now as a Collective Bargaining and Research Consultant, Eric has successfully negotiated over 100 public and private sector collective bargaining agreements, demonstrating his knowledge in navigating complex labor negotiations and advocating for fair and equitable working conditions for union members.
  • In addition to his work at the OEA, Eric serves as the Treasurer of his union, the National Staff Organization (NSO), where he manages the day-to-day financial operations and contributes, along with his fellow Executive Committee members, to the strategic direction of the union. His dual roles underscore his deep commitment to supporting labor unions at the local, state, and national levels.

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on August 21, 2024.

Dr. Chris Orban, a physics professor at the Ohio State University, is running to represent District 6 on the State Board of Education because he wants to give educators a voice in policymaking in Ohio and work to return academic standards to the Board's purview. Dr. Orban has already played a big role in changing the public education landscape in Ohio, though, through his work to transform the way math is taught in our state and expand access to discrete math and computer science curriculum for Ohio students. Dr. Orban joins us for this episode to discuss his work and his vision for the future.
 
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATE | Click here to visit Dr. Orban's campaign website to learn more about his qualifications, platform, and more.

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE | Election Day is November 5, 2024. Now is the time to make your plan to vote, whether early in-person at your county board of elections location beginning October 7th, absentee by mail, or in-person on Election Day at your local polling location. Check your voter registration and find your local polling place at VoteOhio.gov

FIND THE OEA MEMBER RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES ON YOUR BALLOT | OEA members, go to ohioballot.com to see which pro-public education, pro-labor candidates are up for election in your voting district this year. OEA members who live in the State Board of Education's District 6 can learn more about Dr. Chris Orban and his campaign here.

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Dr. Chris Orban, Running for Ohio State Board of Education, District 6
  • "I am a physics professor at Ohio State University. My father grew up near Cleveland and his father worked at a unionized Republic Steel plant for most of his life. My mother graduated high school in Wooster and my parents met in the marching band at Ohio State. Teaching is a frequent occupation in my family. My mother and brother are music teachers. My aunt taught art and on my wife’s side of there are English and ESL teachers and my father-in-law is an ethics professor.
  • My wife Julia and I have been married for 15 years and we have an adorable 3-year-old daughter, and two grown godchildren who lived with us in a “kinship care” arrangement when they were younger. Our experience helping to raise our godchildren opened our eyes to the struggles that students of color face in general and in the school system in particular. My wife and I have lived in the Weinland Park neighborhood for about 18 years.
  • Julia and I are active members of a progressive and multi-racial Methodist church in the north Linden neighborhood in Columbus. My wife helps connect people in our community to resources including rental assistance and utilities programs. I often lead worship at our services where we sing a mix of traditional Methodist hymns and black gospel music.
  • Although I have a reputation for being knowledgeable in science, computer science and math, I love to write and no small part of my success in life thus far has been in using writing to communicate my ideas to other people (and to funding agencies!). No matter how specialized the workforce becomes, I still believe it is important to be a well-rounded person and I am grateful to all the English and music teachers I had growing up."

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on September 5, 2024.

Rep. Justin Pizzulli (R-District 90) draws on his experience growing up in Appalachia to guide his work in the Ohio House. In his work on the Primary and Secondary Education Committee, he has been proud to be a strong advocate for the needs of Ohio's rural public schools, especially. And, he has continued to stand up for public education and educators across Ohio, and against attacks like Senate Bill 83, despite huge pressure from his colleagues in the General Assembly. OEA members are recommending Rep. Pizzulli for re-election because of his record as a pro-public education, pro-labor leader. As Rep. Pizzulli tells us in this episode, he's focused on the big picture for Ohio.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE REP. PIZZULLI STANDS | Visit www.justinforohio.com to learn more about Rep. Pizzulli's campaign for re-election and where he stands on the issues.

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE | Election Day is November 5, 2024. Now is the time to make your plan to vote, whether early in-person at your county board of elections location beginning October 7th, absentee by mail, or in-person on Election Day at your local polling location. Check your voter registration and find your local polling place at VoteOhio.gov

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Ohio Rep. Justin Pizzulli, R-District 90
  • State Representative Justin Pizzulli was recently appointed State Representative for the 90th Ohio House District, which encompasses all of Scioto and Adams Counties, as well as parts of Brown County.  His priorities are protecting the sanctity of life, protecting Ohioans’ second amendment rights, and promoting economic growth and prosperity.
  • Outside of his role as State Representative, Rep. Pizzulli works as a realtor in Wheelersburg and as a Class 1 Commercial Freight Conductor in Portsmouth. He also has a packed resume of campaign and management experience. His previous experience and current careers allow him to bring a unique perspective to the table as an elected official and better represent the people of the 90th House District. 
  • Rep. Pizzulli lives in Franklin Furnace and in his free time, he is probably enjoying a movie.

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on September 5, 2024.

About one in every 100 Ohioans is an OEA member. That is a lot of power to shape the future of public education in our state if we use our united voices at the ballot box to support the best pro-public education, pro-labor candidates on Election Day. Rep. Joe Miller is a former teacher who is steadfast in his support of public education, and the OEA members say he is the best person to represent District 53 in the Ohio House in the next General Assembly. In this episode, Rep. Miller shares his goals for supporting public education in his next term.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE REP. MILLER STANDS | Visit www.joemillerforohio.com to learn more about Rep. Miller's campaign for re-election and where he stands on the issues.

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE | Election Day is November 5, 2024. Now is the time to make your plan to vote, whether early in-person at your county board of elections location beginning October 7th, absentee by mail, or in-person on Election Day at your local polling location. Check your voter registration and find your local polling place at VoteOhio.gov

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Ohio Rep. Joe Miller, D-District 53
  • State Representative Joe Miller proudly serves Lorain County, where he grew up and attended Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst. After working his way through Lorain Community College and earning his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Bowling Green State University, Joe furthered his education with two graduate degrees from Ashland University: a Master of Education and a Master of Arts in American History and Government.
  • Joe's diverse professional background spans both public and private sectors. He has experience as a teacher and coach in, an Associate Director of Planning at a design build firm, and a general manager in a print production office—roles that provided him with deep insights into the challenges facing Ohio businesses.
  • Motivated by the events of September 11th, Joe returned to education, teaching at both high school and college levels. He is also a certified USGTF Professional Golf Instructor, an OHSAA Basketball Official, and an active volunteer in his church and community. Joe lives in Amherst with his wife Kelly, also an educator, their two sons, Joseph and Jordan, and their bulldog, Heisman.
  • As a dedicated advocate for quality education, job creation, renewable energy, and veterans' support, Joe is committed to driving meaningful change. He champions a new, equitable school funding model that involves local stakeholders and meets the needs of 21st-century learners.
  • Throughout his tenure representing the Lorain County in the Ohio House District, Joe pushed for legislation that revitalized the local economy, promoted green energy, honored veterans, and reinstated local control in Lorain City schools. He has been a vocal leader in the fight against the opioid crisis and a staunch defender of women's rights and reproductive care. Joe Miller envisions Ohio as a leader in innovation, job creation, and sustainability—a prime place for working and raising a family.

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on August 28, 2024.

Ohio's public school educators work hard for their money. It's no surprise that a lot of educators have said they're interested in learning more about how they can get the most bang for their buck to save more of what they've earned. In this episode, Guy Kendall-Freas delivers the deals, and shares the details about the NEA Member Benefits savings OEA members can't afford to miss.

SAVE MONEY | To check out all of the deals and services that are available through NEA Member Benefits for OEA members and their families, visit neamb.com today.

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Guy Kendall-Freas, NEA Member Benefits 
  • Guy Kendall-Freas is an Affiliate Relations Specialist for NEA Member Benefits where he has been employed since 1996.  A former special education teacher, Guy was also a union leader in his local, district and state Association during his 12 years in the classroom. In addition, he served the Ohio Department of Education in various capacities, including serving on the Committee charged with Revision of Rules for Special Ed Services and as one of the first practicing teachers trained as Entry Year Teacher Assessors.  Working from the NEA Member Benefits Regional Office in Mansfield, Ohio, Guy serves members and locals in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on August 21, 2024.

Ohio's State Board of Education plays a critical role in the professional live of public school educators, and retired educator Rhonda Johnson says she is just the person to do the work of the Board, representing District 7. In this episode of Public Education Matters, Johnson tells us more about the journey that led her to this campaign, from learning in segregated schools as a child to leading the Columbus Education Association as its president to her ongoing mission to bring more young people of all backgrounds into the education profession.

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE | Election Day is November 5, 2024. Now is the time to make your plan to vote, whether early in-person at your county board of elections location beginning October 7th, absentee by mail, or in-person on Election Day at your local polling location. Check your voter registration and find your local polling place at VoteOhio.gov

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Rhonda Johnson, Running for Ohio State Board of Education, District 7
  • Rhonda Johnson is a retired teacher and OEA-R member who has worked tirelessly in the education community for more than 40 years. From 2014--2019, she served as the Education Director for the City of Columbus and ex-officio member of the Columbus Board of Education.  
  • During Rhonda’s tenure as a teacher in Columbus City Schools, her love and passion for education led her to be a committed advocate for teachers through numerous leadership positions with the Columbus Education Association (CEA). Among them were Vice President and President, serving members in those offices for two decades.
  • During her presidency, Johnson was a successful and active voice for Columbus teachers and students, both locally and nationally. During her leadership, CEA achieved a number of major educational reform projects, and the union remained in a competitive negotiating position. Johnson represented CEA and the City on numerous boards, councils and panels. She been recognized repeatedly for her work. 
  • A native of Tuscumbia, Alabama, Rhonda received a Bachelor’s degree at Alabama A&M University and a Master’s Degree from The Ohio State University in Business Education. 

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on August 20, 2024.

US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has always been a champion for public education and educators. His daughter, Liz Brown, has had a front row seat to see her dad's leadership and commitment to Ohio's schools, workers, and families throughout her life. And, coming from a family of educators, Liz has carried on the family mission of making lives better in her own career. As Liz Brown explains on this episode of Public Education Matters, Senator Brown will continue to fight for the dignity of workers and a brighter future for all of us when he is re-elected this fall.

MAKE A PLAN TO VOTE | Election Day is November 5, 2024. Now is the time to make your plan to vote, whether early in-person at your county board of elections location beginning October 7th, absentee by mail, or in-person on Election Day at your local polling location. Check your voter registration and find your local polling place at VoteOhio.gov

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHERE SEN. BROWN STANDS | Go to www.sherrodbrown.com to check out Sen. Brown's website and get more information about his campaign. Click here to read why OEA members are enthusiastically recommending Senator Sherrod Brown for re-election to continue his pro-public education, pro-labor work in the US Senate. Click here to watch Senator Brown's full interview on NBC4's The Spectrum that was referenced in this episode of the podcast.

Among his many priorities during his time in Washington, Sen. Brown has:

• Fought to make sure Ohio educators can retire with dignity by passing the Social Security Fairness Act which would ensure teachers, first responders, and other public sector workers and their families receive the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned.
• Secured millions to expand high-speed internet access for students and families across Ohio.
• Introduced the Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act to quadruple the amount educators can deduct from their taxes for out-of-pocket classroom expenses.
• Led the fight to help educators become homeowners so education can remain a sustainable career path that can attract the best talent to serve our state’s students.
• Introduced the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act to help students succeed by helping schools and districts implement wraparound supports – including medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance and continuing education courses.
• Spearheaded the passage of the SMART Act to reduce excessive testing that robs students and teachers of valuable instruction time.
• Secured nearly $300,000 to support training programs that prepare Ohio educators to teach life skills.
• Worked to level the playing field between workers and corporations to protect the right to organize and expand overtime pay for workers.
• Taken on Ohio’s private for-profit schools that take funds away from public schools and fought for charter school accountability.

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms, including YouTube. Click here for links for other platforms so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Elizabeth Brown, Sen. Sherrod Brown's daughter, YWCA Columbus CEO
  • Elizabeth Brown became President and CEO of YWCA Columbus in 2023, with more than 15 years of experience in non-profits, government, and public policymaking, including as President Pro Tempore of Columbus City Council and as Executive Director of the Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network, a statewide collective impact project to improve women’s economic security through public policy.
  • During her years on city council, Brown spearheaded laws to protect reproductive healthcare, provide paid family leave, defend residents against threats of deportation, support low-income families through COVID disruptions, erase medical debt, and increase access to early childhood education opportunities. She also commissioned an overhaul of tax incentive policies which resulted in the city’s first affordable housing and living-wage requirements. She has additional prior experience in economic development, AmeriCorps service, and state government.
  • At YWCA Columbus, Brown steers the 138-year-old non-profit’s front-line work in housing, childcare, emergency shelter, and social justice training, all while serving the organization’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
  • Originally born in the Berwick neighborhood of Columbus, Brown was raised in Granville, Ohio. She is a proud public school graduate and a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia University. She and her husband Patrick Katzenmeyer live near Columbus’ University District, along with their three children Carolyn, Russell, and Maribell.

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on

The Ohio Education Association's podcast is back for a new season, and back to shorter weekly episodes to make sure we're delivering the most impactful conversations to our listeners. In the Season 5 opener, OEA President Scott DiMauro provides valuable insights on the key issues facing public education in Ohio as the new school year begins, including educator shortages and the growing trend of new hires who are not new educators, plus the importance of political engagement, school funding challenges, the power of union organizing, and more.

SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to listen on Spotify so you don't miss a thing. You can also find Public Education Matters on many other platforms. Click here for some of those links so you can listen anywhere. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.

SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK | OEA members have been weighing in on the Public Education Matters podcast and on podcasts in general to help shape the future of OEA's podcast. More feedback is always welcome! Please email [email protected] or complete the podcast survey here.

Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Scott DiMauro, Ohio Education Association President
  • Scott DiMauro, a high school social studies teacher from Worthington, was elected President of the OEA in 2019 after having served as vice president for six years. Over his 34-year career as an educator, Scott has worked to provide students the critical thinking and decision-making skills they need to be successful citizens in our democracy while advocating for students, educators, and strong public schools at all levels of his union.
  • Scott’s priorities as president have included strengthening local affiliates, enhancing professional supports for members, and elevating the voice of educators in public policy to ensure all students are given access to a high-quality education that inspires their creativity, imagination, and desire to learn. As OEA President, he helped lead a successful coalition effort that resulted in the historic passage of the Fair School Funding Plan along with an increase in the state minimum teacher’s salary as part of the most recent state budget bill.
    Scott has facilitated OEA’s Board and leadership team in educating and organizing members to advocate for social, racial, and economic justice. That priority has framed OEA’s advocacy on school safety, resistance to attacks on educators’ freedom to teach and students’ freedom to learn an honest education, and a comprehensive strategy to attract and retain caring, qualified educators—both licensed and support professionals—in every community across Ohio.
  • As vice president, Scott was proud to guide the OEA Commission on Student Success to lay out a comprehensive vision for high-quality education for all students and lay the groundwork for positive implementation of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act in Ohio. He also led an initiative to increase student access to breakfast in high-poverty districts and served as national spokesperson for the Partners for Breakfast in the Classroom. At the national level, he currently serves as president of the National Council of State Education Associations.

Connect with OEA:

• Email [email protected] with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topics
• Like OEA on Facebook
• Follow OEA on Twitter
• Follow OEA on Instagram
• Get the latest news and statements from OEA here
• Learn more about where OEA stands on the issues 
• Keep up to date on the legislation affecting Ohio public schools and educators with OEA's Legislative Watch

About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on August 14, 2024.