Shows / Public Education Matters
Public Education Matters
Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million children - 90 percent of students in the state! What happens in the classroom has impacts far beyond the walls of the K-12 school building or higher ed lecture hall. So, on behalf of the 115,000 members of the Ohio Education Association, we're taking a deeper dive into some of the many education issues facing our students, educators, and communities. Originally launched in 2021 as Education Matters, Public Education Matters is your source for insightful…
Episodes
- Public Education Matters
The Whole Team for the Whole Child: How OhioRISE Supports Students with Complex Needs
When it comes to learning, educators know there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The same is true for students with complex behavioral and mental health…
- Public Education Matters
Cloudy with a Chance of Feelings
For students to be successful in the classroom - and in life - they need to learn to identify and manage their emotions. But, teaching about abstract ideas…
- Public Education Matters
Celebrating The Un-Famous People Of History
History's unsung heroes have been getting their long-overdue moments in the spotlight in Ben Purdy's Rocky River Middle School classroom, thanks to a totally…
- Public Education Matters
Calling Balls and Strikes: Ohio Supreme Court Candidate Marilyn Zayas on Education, Opportunity, and Justice
Growing up in a neighborhood known as "Drug City USA," Judge Marilyn Zayas never imagined she would one day run for Ohio’s highest court. In this episode, the…
- Public Education Matters
Candidate Conversation: Rep. Greg Landsman's commitment to Ohio's public school students, starting in their earliest years
What happens in Congress makes a big impact on Ohio's public school students and educators, and when Rep. Greg Landsman is re-elected to represent the people…
- Public Education Matters
Chardon Care Closet empowers students to focus on learning without worrying about basic necessities
Every student deserves to walk into school with confidence, dignity, and the tools they need to learn. In this episode, Chardon High School teacher Kelly…
- Public Education Matters
Republican candidate for State Treasurer Jay Edwards: 'You can't love education if you don't have respect for educators'
What happens when one of the key legislative champions behind the Fair School Funding Plan sets his sights on statewide office? In this episode, OEA…
- Public Education Matters
Take the Dough, We Gotta Know: A conversation with the bipartisan sponsors of SB 443
Ohio is now spending more than $1 billion in public taxpayer dollars each year on private school vouchers, but how much do we really know about where that…
- Public Education Matters
Amy Acton's pro-public education, pro-labor vision for Ohio. Plus, a deeper dive into how OEA members make candidate recommendations.
***This is a special video and audio episode of this podcast - The full episode video is available at the bottom of these show notes or by clicking here.***…
- Public Education Matters
New School Year, New Opportunities: Public education matters. Vote.
As the new school year gets underway, Ohio's educators are renewing their focus on delivering on the promise of the great public schools our students deserve…
- Public Education Matters
Listening, Learning, and Leading through the Challenges Ahead
OEA Locals are not one-size-fits all franchises, like chain restaurant locations - Each Local faces unique circumstances, challenges, and opportunities. And…
- Public Education Matters
Tallmadge Teachers Association: Turning grant funding into member impact
OEA Locals can amplify the impact of their members' dues dollars through OEA grant programs - especially now, with the new Local Capacity Grants that are…
- Public Education Matters
The whirlwind adventures of the 2026 Ohio Teacher of the Year
Tiffin Columbian High School teacher Chris Monsour is the first person to tell you he never thought he'd be a teacher. Now, 27 years later, he's the Ohio…
- Public Education Matters
United for Public Education: Why you can't afford to miss this year's Summer Leadership Academy
Although we're heading into the final weeks of the school year, learning should never stop. OEA members have the opportunity to learn from each other, improve…
- Public Education Matters
Saying Thanks: Talking with my former teacher about his lasting impact, 20 years later
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8 this year, and across the country, we are celebrating the amazing educators who make a big difference for their students…
- Public Education Matters
Protect Ohio Schools: Decline to sign the property tax petition
Ohio's public schools are facing an existential threat. If a measure to eliminate property taxes in Ohio makes it to the ballot and passes this fall, the…
- Public Education Matters
Learning to love Lobby Days
Public education is not partisan, but it is political. Politicians in the statehouse make decisions that impact Ohio's public school classrooms every day…
- Public Education Matters
Ideas Worth Borrowing: How Twinsburg EA is turning OEA grants into Local wins
OEA's grant programs empower Local associations to do incredible things for educators, students, and their communities. The Twinsburg Education Association has…
- Public Education Matters
Creating Calm in the Classroom: Yoga, smoothies, and student success
Janaya Foster used to hate afternoons in her elementary school classroom in Columbus. Too often, something would happen during lunch and recess that would…
- Public Education Matters
"Charter School Reckoning"
Vouchers are 'the new kid on the block' for public education threats, but the executive director of the Network for Public Education says while everyone's eyes…
- Public Education Matters
What the heck is going on with student loans?
Student loans are a fact of life for many educators who relied on that support to make their education career path possible, or who are now on Parent Plus…
- Public Education Matters
Rep. Brennan on paid student teaching and why our union matters more than ever
Ohio Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) knows if you're not at the table, you get the scraps. After a 30-year career in a public school classroom, he's now at…
- Public Education Matters
Mr. Grimes in his classroom, Mayor Grimes around town
David Grimes wears many hats. By day, he's a middle school science teacher in Westerville. He's also a leader in his local union and has spent the last two…
- Public Education Matters
Vouchers were ruled unconstitutional - Now what?
As Ohio continues to spend more than $1 billion each year of public taxpayer money on unaccountable private school voucher schemes, more than 325 Ohio school…
- Public Education Matters
BISGITA: A small Local of small group instruction teachers making a big impact on student success
The hundreds of Ohio Education Association locals across the state come in all sizes, ranging from 4,000+ members in big Locals like the Columbus Education…
- Public Education Matters
A Lifetime of Love: Married educators share lessons from their 56-year teaching careers and beyond
She was the Ridgewood High School band director. He was a football coach for the Riverview High School team. She dropped her papers in the end zone. He helped…
- Public Education Matters
Orange TA member brings Cesar Chavez' legacy to life for students
EDITOR'S NOTE: This episode was recorded and published before allegations came to light accusing Cesar Chavez of sexually abusing several women and girls…
- Public Education Matters
IDEA at 50
Ohio's public schools are safe, welcoming learning environments for students of all backgrounds and abilities. But, only five decades ago, there was no…
- Public Education Matters
3-D Printing Possibilities: Educators create one-of-a-kind assistive device for their Anthony Wayne student
Educators often get a front row seat to see their students realizing their potential. Those lightbulb moments when a new concept clicks are what a lot of…
- Public Education Matters
Gifted students: The forgotten population?
In an education landscape that forces educators to prioritize getting kids to pass standardized tests, students who are already performing above grade level…
- Public Education Matters
Partners in Progress: Tackling chronic absenteeism with community support
In Ohio, roughly one in four students is chronically absent—missing 10 percent or more of the school year. Behind those numbers are complex challenges that go…
- Public Education Matters
Your Dues Dollars at Work: What you need to know about OEA's Local Affiliate Grants
OEA's grant programs put resources into the hands of members and empower Local associations to do amazing things for educators, students, and their…
- Public Education Matters
Love teaching science. Will travel.
Amy Boros and Shari Insley teach middle school science in different parts of the state, but they share a passion for bringing the real world into their…
- Public Education Matters
Meet OEA's New Vice President Dan Greenberg
When Dan Greenberg began his term as OEA Vice President in July, he faced a learning curve as he started to learn the ropes in his new role. But, while he was…
- Public Education Matters
Lessons learned from the Ashtabula high school roof collapse, one year later
On December 1, 2024, as Ashtabula Area City Schools educators and students were out on Thanksgiving break, five and a half feet of snow covered Lakeside High…
- Public Education Matters
Is DEI a dirty word? These rural Ohio students don't think so.
Kelsie Bullock is a small-town teacher making a big impact - and proving that every student deserves to belong. A few years ago, she started a Diversity…
- Public Education Matters
Educating lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about the needs of rural schools: "Red and Blue goes out the door"
Ironton Education Association President Daniel Murphy and his fellow educators in their rural community live in a deep red part of Ohio - Donald Trump won 75%…
- Public Education Matters
Turning anger into action: Jackson City EA leader rallies educators, community members for fair school funding
When Ohio lawmakers began signaling their intention to break their promise to finish fully and fairly funding our public schools in the latest state budget, a…
- Public Education Matters
Why you should use your educator voice in your local city hall
As Columbus Education Association member Shanette Strickland puts it: "If you can manage 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, adults are no problem." Educators have many…
- Public Education Matters
Understanding Ohio's property tax situation - Part 2: The Solutions
After years of refusing to have the state pay its fair share of the cost of running Ohio's public schools and forcing local property tax payers to carry a…
- Public Education Matters
Understanding Ohio's property tax situation - Part 1: The Problems
For years, the Ohio legislature has pushed to have the state pay a smaller and smaller share of the cost of running Ohio's public schools, placing a bigger and…
- Public Education Matters
Fighting to protect World Language programs in our schools
Whether they're learning Spanish, French, German, or any other language, World Language programs open up doors for Ohio's public school students every day…
- Public Education Matters
Stuck in the middle? With burnout on the rise, pilot program aims to support mid-career educators
Educators who are in their second decade in the profession are facing burnout at alarming rates - 66% report that they're considering leaving their careers…
- Public Education Matters
The Power of ONE: Getting a seat at the table with lawmakers
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…
- Public Education Matters
Practical tools for managing common classroom behavior issues
Ohio's educators are feeling burnt out in big numbers, and a lot of them report worsening behavior issues as one of the big reasons. Brittany Myers, an…
- Public Education Matters
Engaging students in elections & celebrating a win for Dayton educators. Plus, a Public Education Matters Day save-the-date
In this jampacked episode, we spotlight three important dates: 10/4, 10/6, and 8/15. October 4, 2025, is OEA's Public Education Matters Day celebration at…
- Public Education Matters
Why it's time to stand up and tell the real story of Ohio's public schools
In his first weeks in office as the Ohio Education Association's new president, Jeff Wensing has faced everything from the Ohio House attempting to override…
- Public Education Matters
Turning the page: Scott DiMauro reflects on OEA presidency, education career, and what’s ahead
After 34 years in public education, Scott DiMauro is retiring from teaching when his second term as OEA President ends in July. As he prepares to finish that…
- Public Education Matters
Urgent Legislative Update: The threats to public education and the opportunities to act now
From the Trump administration's 'skinny budget' that aims to cut $12 billion from the US Department of Education to the latest version of the state budget…
- Public Education Matters
VFW's Ohio HS Teacher of the Year brings lessons in citizenship outside the classroom
Recently named the High School Teacher of the Year by her local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, the wider VFW district, and the state VFW organization under the…
- Public Education Matters
Celebrating Diverse Readers in Lima and Diversity Read-Ins in Twinsburg
Books that feature diverse voices - from diverse characters and diverse authors - help students discover their own voices and write themselves into the history…
- Public Education Matters
Finding their voice: How ACCESS emerged from a bargaining crisis stronger than ever
When the Association for Cuyahoga County Employees for Special Students (ACCESS) sat down at the bargaining table a few years ago, they were told, 'if you…
- Public Education Matters
Creating pay equity for Career Tech Educators
As the demand for Career Tech education continues to grow in Ohio, Career Tech programs continue to struggle to attract and retain educators to serve students…
- Public Education Matters
How OEA members - and their families - can get big discounts on online college & certification courses
Union membership empowers educators to improve their lives and advocate for themselves and their students to ensure Ohio's learners have the supports and…
- Public Education Matters
For Educators by Educators: Ohio Educator Standards Bd. rolls out new Professional Learning Standards
Ohio educators want professional development opportunities that give them the tools to be the best educators possible for their students. But, too often…
- Public Education Matters
Mason educator shares lessons in Building Stories and Building Bridges
Mason High School intervention specialist Hakim Oliver believes relationships are the basis of who we are. He created his multi-session Building Bridges…
- Public Education Matters
Licking Heights educators to Ohio lawmakers: 'Keep your promise to fully and fairly fund our public schools"
Almost 90% of Ohio's children - in big cities, small towns, and rural communities - grow up, learn, and dream at one of our public schools. But, House Bill 96…
- Public Education Matters
Michelle Obama said 'Do More'—So this educator ran for office. Now, he wants you to run, too.
Eight years ago, Chardon Education Association member Dan Heintz was feeling distressed by what was happening in federal politics, when he heard someone ask…
- Public Education Matters
Akron ESPs try new events, strategies to engage community & members
The 126 members of the Akron Association of Classified Personnel - one of five unions representing educators in Akron - have their work cut out for them when…
- Public Education Matters
Celebrating Music in Our Schools
When students have access to music education in their schools -- taught by licensed music educators -- the impact on their lives can be huge, as they learn…