| The OEA Wellness Cadre has created another year of opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate with fellow educators. Save the dates for the upcoming virtual events designed to ignite your creativity and inspire your soul.
The next session is Virtual Paint and Sip on February18, 2026 from 6:00pm -7:00pm. Learn how to apply for this OEA grant and support your fellow educators by hosting a local Wellness event. |
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER |
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Kick off Read Across America, led by naturalist and educator Aaron Campbell, with an inspiring and interactive session that connects reading, curiosity, and care for our planet! Join us for “Save Our Earth —It’s Up to Us! Be a Nature Nerd”, a lively presentation that encourages students and educators to explore the natural world, ask big questions, and take small actions that make a real difference.
This session blends storytelling, science, and real-world experiences to spark environmental awareness and a love of learning.
The Ohio Educator of the Year will be recognized on the court during the pregame and several educators will have the opportunity to hold the Big Flag during the National Anthem.
Every educator that purchases a ticket will receive a Cavs/Ohio Educator Co-Branded Hat.
Other games included for discount for educators are:
Sunday, Match 8th vs Boston Celtics
Sunday, March 15th vs Dallas Mavericks.
Come out and support Ohio Educators and cheer on our Cleveland Cavaliers. Limited time offer – secure your seats now
A retirement system for public employees in the state of Ohio.
Join us for an online presentation on Zoom to learn more about how SERS works for
you to help you prepare for retirement.
SPEAKER: Cameron Vaughan, Member Education Coordinator, School Employees Retirement System (SERS) of Ohio
DATE: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
TIME: 5pm
WHERE: Online, you can join on your phone or your computer
Register at https://tinyurl.com/y2ct22a8
All OEA members are welcomed to attend.
OEA-R SERS webinar flyer_Jan 2026
Sponsored by OEA-Retired https://oea-r.ohea.us
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, OEA testified in opposition to House Bill 473, sponsored by Representative David Thomas (R-Jefferson). The bill would prohibit public employers from paying any portion of an employee’s pension contribution to a state retirement system. You can read OEA’s opposition testimony to HB 473 here.
HB 473 is an attack on the collective bargaining rights of Ohio’s public employees. A prohibition on this type of compensation narrows the scope of bargaining and creates needless disruption for locals who have bargained a pension pickup. This would lead to labor disputes. OEA was joined in opposition by other labor allies such as the Ohio Federation of Teachers, the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters, and the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio.
Another argument against the bill is that it would increase costs to taxpayers just to pay an employee the same effective pay rate. If pension pickups are no longer permissible, salaries would need to increase to avoid a de facto pay cut. However, increased salaries also increase other costs to the public employer (employer pension contributions, Medicare taxes, and other salary-based payments).
Urge your state representative to oppose House Bill 473 and reflect how this issue affects you and your school district.
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American Education Week, is about celebrating educators like you—and also about fighting for the excellent public education system that our students deserve. That we deserve. Together, we can and will do both.
Thank you for all that you do every day.
In solidarity,
Becky Pringle, President
National Education Association
Subscribe to OEA emails and newsletters for the latest updates and alerts where you can take action on topics of interest which include:
Legislative Watch – OEA offers insight and analysis of the issues and legislation that affect public education.
OEA Action Alerts – News for activists committed to advancing education policies focused on building great public schools for all students.
Events and Promotions – Emails about special discounts and events offered exclusively to OEA members.
OEA Updates – Important information about OEA operations and services.
OEA-R Newsline – A quarterly newsletter from the OEA-Retired Advisory Council.
Disclaimer: We do not share the information you’ve given us with unaffiliated groups. We will not make any of your information publicly available.
OEA’s first member lobby day of the 136th General Assembly will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
If you are unable to attend the March 19th Lobby Day, OEA plans to create a virtual activity for you to connect with your legislators. Also, OEA, in collaboration with NEA, will host a walk-in events across Ohio to stand up against attacks on public education from Columbus and Washington on March 19th. To view NEA’s March 19th toolkit, please click here.
If you have any questions about OEA’s member lobby day, please do not hesitate to reach out to OEA Government Relations by calling 614-227-3056 or emailing govtsrv@ohea.org.
