Public Education Matters Ohio Education Association

Westerville Education Association member Pablo Chignolli believes everyone has a story to tell. His story is shaped by his experiences after immigrating to the United States from Peru as a young adult. The hardship and discrimination he faced then led him on a journey to foster cultural awareness and inclusivity. Now, as a Spanish teacher at Westerville Central High School, he has teamed up with another teacher to help immigrant students in their school tell their own stories and find their own voices. Mr. Chignolli discusses their new book of memoirs powerful conversation with Ohio Schools editor Julie Newhall. We also dive into plans for the 2nd annual Summer Celebration of Diverse Readers, which is offering East Cleveland students the chance to learn from the voices of diverse characters and diverse authors at a huge book giveaway event in early June.
GET THE BOOK | Click here to find "THE ONES AMONG US: Memoirs of Culturally Diverse High School Students in America" on Amazon. SEE THE ART | Following the release of "THE ONES AMONG US," Otterbein University art students and Westerville Central High School photography students created portraits of the twenty students who share their stories in the book. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Arts Council are hosting an interactive gallery display featuring those portraits at the Deer Creek State Park Lodge through July 1, 2024. Click here for more information about the art exhibit.
READ THE STORY IN OHIO SCHOOLS | Pablo Chignolli's story will be featured in the June/July issue of OEA's magazine. You can read the digital edition here. JOIN OEA AT THIS YEAR'S SUMMER CELEBRATION OF DIVERSE READERS | June 1, 2024, from noon - 3 p.m. at the Chambers Community Empowerment Center (14305 Shaw Avenue, East Cleveland, OH 44112). All are welcome for this huge community event featuring free diverse books, free food, free family activities, and community resources. FULL DETAILS: www.ohea.org/diversereaders

Featured Education Matters guest: 
Pablo Chignolli, Westerville Education Association memberA Spanish teacher in Westerville City Schools, Pablo Chignolli immigrated to the United States from Lima, Peru, in 2003. His arrival in the United States marked the beginning of a journey full of linguistic and cultural challenges. Mr. Chignolli navigated those hardships and issues with discrimination as he pursued a bachelor's degree in Latin American Cultural Studies, with a minor in Andean and Amazonian studies from The Ohio State University. He then went on to earn a master's degree in World Language Education. Upon graduating from that program, Chignolli became a teacher in Reynoldsburg City Schools before moving to a job in Westerville City Schools a few years later. Mr. Chignolli collaborated with fellow Westerville Education Association member Deb Jones, who teaches English Learners, to spearhead the creation of the "The Ones Among Us: Memoirs of Culturally Diverse High School Students," which was published in 2024. About us:
The Ohio Education Association represents about 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. Katie often jokes that her children are walking petri dishes because they are always bringing one kind of 'bug' or another home from preschool and d

As public employees, OEA members pay into - and count on - public pensions to provide an adequate retirement when they leave our public schools. But, as OEA Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hill explains, the explosion of vouchers using public tax dollars to pay for private school tuition in Ohio is creating a very concerning threat to the future sustainability of Ohio's public pension systems. We also hear from the campaign manager behind the ballot initiative to raise Ohio's minimum wage about the impact of that move on some Ohio educators and the families of the students that nearly all Ohio educators serve.
SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.
GET INVOLVED | To learn more about the One Fair Wage campaign and to sign up as a volunteer, click here. 
Featured Public Education Matters guests: 
Mark Hill, Ohio Education Association Secretary-TreasurerMark Hill began his career in public education in 1988, first as a middle school math teacher with Columbus City Schools and later with Worthington City Schools. Mark served as President of the Worthington Education Association from 2010-2018 and has served as a member of the OEA Board of Directors. Mark served as chair of the OEA Resolutions Committee as well as numerous committees for Central OEA/NEA. Mark was also elected to serve two four-year terms on the STRS Board from 2010-2018, serving as Chair and Vice Chair of the Board for each of those terms.Mark’s experience in leadership was shaped by the crises of Senate Bill 5 and pension reform. The SB5 attack on collective bargaining took place in Mark’s first year as president of Worthington EA, and he led his local association to participate in the statewide repeal effort. In the same year, as the STRS pension fund faced a solvency crisis, Mark worked with the rest of the STRS board to bring long term sustainability to the pension so that its members could count on a secure retirement.As Secretary-Treasurer, Mark has continued to advocate for a budget that reflects OEA priorities including supporting locals, organizing members to support public education, providing professional resources for members, and advocating for high-quality education for all students regardless of race or economic circumstances.Mark led the Board of Directors to adopt policies that make it easier for locals to recruit members and to ensure OEA has a streamlined process to hire quality staff to consult with locals. Additionally, Mark provides Local Treasurer’s Training differentiated by experience, and offers locals advice on financial reporting, membership enrollment, and issues with local elections.Mariah Ross, One Fair Wage Ohio Campaign ManagerClick here to learn more about Mariah's professional experience on LinkedIn
Connect with OEA:
Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn 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 WatchAbout us:
The Ohio Education Association represents about 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 p

In Ohio, students learning in school districts that are separated by just a few miles may feel like they are living in separate worlds. But these students have far more in common with each other than they may think, and together, they can take on some of the toughest questions in our society. Olentangy Teachers Association member Derek Burtch explains how his non-profit organization Erase the Space is helping to facilitate those connections. We also hear from India Strother, a Columbus school counselor, who has spent this school year honing her connection-building skills, among many others, as OEA's NEA Fellow.
GET YOUR STUDENTS INVOLVED | To learn more about the Erase the Space program or to sign your class up to participate in an exchange, click here.
SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. 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 guests: 
Derek Burtch, Olentangy Teachers Association member, Erase the Space co-founderDerek Burtch is the co-founder of the educational nonprofit Erase the Space and current English teacher at Olentangy High School. He is in his 16th year teaching high school English, including 6 years at North Union High School and 7 years at Olentangy Liberty High School--where Erase the Space was created and cultivated in partnership with Amelia Gordon and South High School in Columbus. Erase the Space engages students living in the segregated metro area of Central Ohio in democratic discourse across their segregated school districts through classroom learning exchanges. These exchanges are curated to engage students in conversation about shared social issues in order to move towards collaborative imagining of solutions. Derek is also one of the founding members of NExT Hub at Otterbein, a center for teachers to collaborate across districts in antiracist and liberatory efforts to support and provide solidarity for teachers engaging in acts of disruption across the Central Ohio area. His published works can be found in The English Journal, Theory Into Practice, and in the book of compiled essays titled The Ethics of Digital Literacy.India Strother, Columbus Education Association member, NEA Organizing FellowIndia Strother started her journey in education as an ESP in Warrensville heights city school district. From there, she continued her journey in education and graduated from The University of Akron with a master’s in education with a concentration in school counseling. India comes from an along line of educators who made working in education a proud family tradition. In 2022, she was awarded the OSCAR award from The Ohio School Counselor Association. As a counselor, India loves meeting the needs of her students social, emotional, and academic needs so they can meet their potential and fulfill their dreams.
Connect with OEA:
Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn 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 WatchAbout us:
The Ohio Education Association represents about 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

Our brains crave powerful narratives. Stories help us interpret new information and shape our understanding of the world. They can also motivate us into action. That's what makes storytelling such a powerful tool for organizing within a union. In this episode, Dr. Kevin Cordi and Katie Fuller continue to share their insights and their own stories to explain. Plus, we hear from the OEA endorsed STRS candidate Sandy Smith Fischer, who shares her story about what led her to run to represent active teachers on the State Teachers Retirment System board and how those experiences will shape her work, if elected.
STRS VOTING DEADLINE: May 6, 2024, by 4:30 p.m. | If you are an active teacher who did not receive a ballot in the mail, or if you've lost your ballot, contact the Election Services help desk at STRSOHHelp@electionservicescorp.com or 866-276-1506.
SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. And don't forget you can listen to all of the previous episodes anytime on your favorite podcast platform, or by clicking here.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OEA ENDORSED STRS CANDIDATE | Click here for more information on why Sandy Smith Fischer is running to represent active teachers on the State Teachers Retirment Board and her priorities to best serve the state's teachers in that position. 
Featured Public Education Matters guests: 
Katie Fuller, Huber Heights Education Association memberMs. Katie Fuller is a 5th Social Studies Teacher at Rushmore Elementary School in the Huber Heights City Schools District. Prior to this position, she had 7 years as a Positive Behavior Expert (PSC) Coach and Educational Consultant for grades K - 12 in the Dayton Public Schools District. In PBIS, her professional focus was education reform, the scaling up of evidence-based practices, cultural proficiency and organizational systems change.Ms. Fuller is from Dayton, Ohio and has four children and a dog named Hafe’.  She is in-tune with the community, performing organizing work as one of Ohio's New Educator Member Ambassadors (ONE).  She has a profound love and passion for teaching, reaching, and inspiring people to action.Ms. Fuller is a professional motivational speaker and workshop presenter and uses her powerful voice and international speaking platform to tell her life story and her “Why”.  She strives to share with people what drives education and social activism.  She encouraged her audience to find YOUR voice and tell YOUR story!!! Dr. Kevin Cordi, Associate Professor, Ohio University LancasterDr. Kevin Cordi is an Associate Professor of Education, Literacy, and Storytelling at Ohio University Lancaster where he has the honor of serving as the Middle Childhood Coordinator and the Advisor for the Aspiring Educators OEA Chapter.  According to the National Storytelling Network, he was “the first full time ;high school storytelling teacher in the country.”    He holds a Doctorate in Storytelling and Education from The Ohio State University.  He is an internationally known professional storytelling and presenter.  He has presented and performed in over 44 states, England, Japan,  Singapore, Scotland, and Qatar.  He has written book on storytelling, most recently, You don’t know Jack: A Storyteller Goes to School by the University of Mississippi Press.  Although he has studied storytelling as a discipline, he learned the art from listening to his mother tell West Virginia stories  to him and his five brothers and sisters.   He believes that story is the way we think and we can significantly change the way students learn in a positive way by including stories and storytelling in the curriculum.   You can find out more about him and his work at www.kevincordi.com Sandy Smith Fischer, Streetsboro Education Association member and OEA-endorsed STRS candidate.A highly experienced Intervention Specialist with over 23 years of

Just about every educator has no doubt worked with "that kid." It's the student who can't sit still, who can't just focus, who seems to lash out when faced with even a minor perceived slight. Lindsay Rice was "that kid" and she knows all too well how challenging, and even sometimes traumatic, school can be for other "that kids" like her. But now, as a third grade teacher, Rice is working to share her experiences and perspectives to help other educators better support neurodiverse learners in their classes and to help bring other neurodiverse educators into the education profession.  We also hear from an Aspiring Educator who is passionate about what she's learned about the importance of play-based, strengths-based early childhood education programs. With engaging conversations and practical insights, this episode offers valuable perspectives for educators seeking to create inclusive and effective learning environments.
SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. 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 guests: 
Lindsay Rice, Columbus Education Association memberLindsay has a Bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Science and a Master's degree in Childhood Education from SUNY Cortland. Over 11 years, she has demonstrated exceptional growth in high-poverty schools. A devoted member of ATE and NEA, she has presented for prominent organizations and authored impactful blogs for Better Lessons. Her leadership shines through the completion of NEA's Teacher Leadership Institute and ATE's Leadership Program. Lindsay served as an observer at the National Education Summit. Her unique perspective as a person with ADHD enriches her advocacy for neurodiversity. Her scholars consistently outperform predictions by 30 to 40 percentile points. She has also crafted curriculum materials and contributed to publications on trauma-informed practices. She is currently working on a book entitled When "That Kid" Becomes the Teacher. Brittney McCarey, Aspiring Educator - Grand Canyon University After several years of experience in customer service roles and as a stay-at-home mom, Brittney McCarey decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Grand Canyon University. She expects to graduate in 2026 and is seeking job opportunities in early childhood education, hoping to gain valuable experience and contribute her skills to a team. She is currently focusing on career development goals including participating in leadership conferences and networking opportunities, including those that brought her to OEA's Aspiring Educators division initially. She is also working to further self-care goals, including setting clear boundaries, identifying core values, and engaging in activities that promote relation and well-being.
Connect with OEA:
Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn 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 WatchAbout us:
The Ohio Education Association represents about 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, a

From its humble beginnings in a closet at an OEA Representative Assembly to its evolution into an important resource for all educators across Ohio, there's a lot you probably don't know about the Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals, or OASNP. In this episode, OASNP leaders Jené Wilson and Nikki Nadasky offer five surprising facts about the organization within OEA. We also hear from Medina City Teachers Association President David Hamman about how that local was empowered to take the lead in its own professional development, and why this PD Day was such a success for the MCTA's 470 members.
GET INVOLVED WITH OASNP | The Ohio Association of Special Needs Professionals is holding its annual conference April 26-27, 2024, at the Salt Fork Lodge and Conference Center. Click here to register. And, to learn more about the benefits of OASNP membership and to join OASNP by adding just $10 to your dues annually, click here. SEE THE PHOTOS FROM MCTA'S PD DAY | If you'd like to see some of the highlights from the Medina City Teachers Association's recent Professional Development Day, please click here to see MCTA's Facebook post.
SUBSCRIBE | Click here to subscribe to Public Education Matters on Apple Podcasts or click here to subscribe on Google podcasts so you don't miss a thing. 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 guests: 
Nikki Nadasky, OASNP Acting ChairpersonNikki Nadasky has been a Service and Support Administrator for the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities for 14 years, as well as Portage County Education Association for Developmental Disabilities union president and acting Chair of OASNP. Prior to acting chair, Nadasky was vice chair and also was the group's secretary. She has worked for 23 years in total serving those with developmental disabilities and has met many wonderful people, for whom she has so much respect.  They have shown Nadasky to live life with perseverance.Jené Wilson, OASNP Immediate Past Chair and Business Manager Jené Wilson was with the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities for 36 years, teaching pre-school and school-age students, and the last ten years as a Behavior Intervention Specialist. She has been actively involved in all levels of Association work since 1974 when her local, the Association of Cuyahoga County Employees for Special Students (ACCESS), went on strike just a few months after she was hired. Since retiring in 2009, she taught at Notre Dame College for nine years and is currently supervising student teachers at Cleveland State. She continues to be active in the association, serving on several statewide and NEOEA committees and as a delegate to NEOEA, OEA, and NEA Rep Assemblies. David Hammon, Medina City Teachers Association President "This is my 31st year teaching, the last 23 years at Medina High School. I teach Honors and AP Chemistry. I have served as the President of the Medina City Teachers Association since February 2017, having previously served in the position of Vice President from 2012-2017. My wife, Christina, is an OEA member and a curriculum coach at Medina High School. I have a daughter in college and a son in high school."
Connect with OEA:
Email educationmatters@ohea.org with your feedback or ideas for future Public Education Matters topicsLike OEA on FacebookFollow OEA on TwitterFollow OEA on InstagramGet the latest news and statements from OEA hereLearn 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 WatchAbout us:
The Ohio Education Association represents about 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 stud