Public education is not partisan, but it is political. What happens at the statehouse in Columbus makes a huge impact on what happens in our classrooms every day. That's why the OEA Ohio's New Educators (ONE) group is working to make sure educators have a seat at the table with lawmakers who are making education policy decisions. As ONE Member Organizer Alex Myers points out, the most effective conversations aren't always about policy specifics; they're about building constructive relationships and better understanding so lawmakers turn to educators for their input and stories.

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THE POWER OF ONE | To learn more about the Ohio's New Educators group and how you can get involved with this group of educators in the first ten years of their careers, click here.

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Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Alex Myers, Marietta Education Association member
  • Alex Myers a Physical Education Teacher for grades K-2. He is in his 8th year as a Building Representative for the Marietta Education Association. In the past 3 years, he has has leaned into his passion for advocating for his fellow educators and students, while working to build relationships with my legislators locally and throughout the state of Ohio and Nationally. He enjoys spreading this passion and these opportunities with fellow educators and hope the practice can be less intimidating and more routine!
     

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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 June 16, 2025.