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March 2, 2014.

WOEA Nomination Form/Letter of Intent
for Elections at the Spring 2014 Representative Assembly

The following Board of Directors positions will be filled in elections at the WOEA Representative Assembly on Wednesday, April 9, 2014:

WOEA Secretary                                                              
WOEA Treasurer                                                             
WOEA Area 1 Representative                                    
WOEA Area 3 Representative
WOEA Area 5 Representative
OEA/WOEA Unit 3 Representative

NOTE: Candidates interested in the Area and Unit representative positions need to be a member of that local for the area or unit. Click on the Area or Unit above for a list of locals.

Terms run from September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2016 for WOEA Secretary and Treasurer. Terms for the other positions run from September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2017. Members interested in serving in any of these capacities should submit a letter of intent to the WOEA office by Saturday, March 1, 2014. Candidates for the OEA/WOEA Unit 3 position must also submit the OEA form available from the office Carol Price, pricec@ohea.org no later than Monday, January 20, 2014.

WOEA Fall Forum - November 13, 2013

WOEA members gathered at Trotwood-Madison Middle School to hear reports from the OEA officers and NEA directors before breaking for workshops. President Sophia Rodriguez and Treasurer Nola Brooks gave away door prizes. Those winning $100 gas cards included, Marty Hammonds (Beavercreek E.A.), Linda Clay (Trotwood-Madison E.A.), Julie Curd (Beavercreek E.A.), Diana Black (Dayton E.A.). The Microsoft Surface 2 tablet went to Ann Ganson (Huber Heights E.A.)
OEA Secretary Treasurer Tim Myers at the WOEA Fall Forum OEA President Becky Higgins at the WOEA Fall Forum OEA Scott DiMaura at the WOEA Fall Forum Marty Hammonds (Beavercreek E.A. - reaction to winning a $100 gas card Linda Clay (Trotwood-Madison E.A.) wins a $100 gas card
Julie Curd (Beavercreek E.A.) wins a $100 gas card Diana Black (Dayton E.A.) winns a $100 gas card Ann Ganson (Huber Heights E.A.) wins the Grand Prize at the WOEA Fall Forum

Sherri Verdier Named OEA ESP of the Year

Sherri Verdier - 2013 OEA ESP of the YearSherri Verdier, Xenia Education Support Professionals Treasurer, was recently named by the Ohio Education Association as the 2013 ESP of the Year. Sherry is a new member of the XESP Negotiations Team, part of the Community Outreach Team and a Special Needs Assistant assigned to care for five students' needs. She has been a team player and an invaluable member of her local this year. Sherri began her career at Xenia Community Schools as a school bus driver and then transferred to a Special Needs Classroom Assistant. Last year when the district outsourced all of the bus drivers, custodial, maintenance and technology positions, she went from a classroom assistant working with nine students to a building assistant. Her schedule varied daily and it was hard to know where to be when. She created a daily schedule that she could wear on a lanyard and provided one to the office staff so she could be located easily if needed. This was also very helpful in the rare occasion she would need a substitute called in. Her attention to detail has been a tremendous help in organizing the XESP Treasury and on target for awards.
CONGRATULATIONS SHERRI!

WOEA ESP of the Year Nominations

Some years ago, support staffs were not members of the Ohio Education Association. Today, OEA/WOEA Education Support Professional members are actively involved in the Association, in bargaining, political action, community organizing, and school restructuring efforts, as partners with their teacher colleagues. Once a year, WOEA/OEA/NEA members join school districts and communities on National Education Support Professional Day to honor the many dedicated education support staff around the nation. The WOEA Board of Directors approved a special annual honor, the WOEA Education Support Professional of the Year Award, to further emphasize the contributions of education support professionals to their schools, communities, and all education workers. WOEA will present the Education Support Professional Award to a WOEA member whose activities reflect the contributions of education support professionals to public education. Recipients will receive a monetary award in the amount of $1000. The deadline to submit a nomination is January 15, 2014. The award will be presented at the Spring WOEA Representative Assembly on April 9, 2014.  Nomination Form

What's it like to be an educator in a so-called Right to Work state?

Dawn Wojcik
WOEA Past President, Dawn Wojcik, offers insight about why these laws are harmful and what to expect if they are enacted in Ohio. Read more.

OEA's Aspire Collective Bargaining Conference Scholarships Available

WOEA has 14 scholarships for WOEA members to attend the OEA Collective Bargaining Conference in Columbus on February 7-8, 2014. more information

WOEA Friend of Education Nomination

The WOEA Friend of Education Award recognizes a person and/or organization whose leadership, acts, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a statewide and/or national level. Any member of the Western Ohio Education Association may submit a nomination. The award will be presented at the Spring WOEA Representative Assembly in April 9, 2014. The deadline to submit a nomination is January 15, 2014. Nomination Form.