WOEA Spring Representative Assembly The WOEA Spring Representative Assembly was held April 9 at Wayne High School. Delegates heard the OEA briefing and speeches from OEA/NEA officers, directors, and candidates. The WOEA E.S.P. of the Year Award was presented to Sherri Verdier (Xenia E.S.P.) by Nola Brooks (WOEA Treasurer) and Sophia Rodriguez (WOEA President). Nola Brooks (Xenia E.S.P.) was elected WOEA Secretary and Marty Hammonds (Beavercreek E.A.) was elected WOEA Treasurer. Their terms are for two years beginning September 1, 2014. April Braun (St. Marys E.A.) was elected the WOEA Area 1 Representative for a three year term beginning September 1, 2014. There were no candidates for WOEA Areas 3 and 5. Members of locals in those areas who are interested in serving, please contact the WOEA office. There were two WOEA By-Laws amendments which passed: a WOEA dues increase and WOEA Officer stipend increases. These changes will take effect September 1, 2014. Sharen Neuhardt (Ed FitzGerald's running mate endorsed for Ohio Governor by OEA), told the crowd about her upbringing in Dayton. She talked how that upbringing instilled values which guide her today. She is a facilitator of job creation and economic growth, an advocate of women's health, and as a mother of two children who attended public schools, she is committed to making sure educators and schools get the support they need.

WOEA TEACHER APPRECIATION BANQUET WOEA teacher members (current and retired) who would like an evening of entertainment, food, and laughter will enjoy attending the WOEA Teacher Appreciation Banquet on Wednesday, May 7. There is a deposit of $20 which will be refunded the evening of the event. Non-WOEA members are welcome to attend, but the fee is non-refundable. This event will take place at Aullwood Farm which is nestled in a 200-acre nature sanctuary which is three miles west of Dayton International Airport.  The auditorium windows look across a grassy lawn to a century-old bank barn and pastures. Kay Frances, Motivational Humorist, will share her message to "lighten up, stress less and take care of yourselves." Kay's humor combined with her expertise in stress management not only offers useful information, but shows folks a rollicking good time in the process. It's clean, energetic "humor-with-a-message" at its funniest. Feeling stressed? Worried about change? Dealing with difficult people? No need for "brain-strain." It's Motivational Humorist, Kay Frances, to the STRESS-cue! PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by APRIL 30, 2014

WOEA GROUP OUTING ANNOUNCED WOEA has reserved thirty tickets to the Dayton Dragons vs Lake County Captains game on Sunday, June 15 at 2 pm. Tickets are $16 in advance. WOEA members will receive reimbursement for the cost of their ticket the day of the event. Guest tickets are non-refundable. This event will sell out fast - Buy tickets!

Wednesday, March 26th is the first listening session for the City of Learners campaign. There will be 12 listening sessions throughout Dayton in the coming weeks to hear what people think the community can and should do to improve the outcome of educating our kids and preparing them for the jobs of the future. Please consider this an invitation to attend any of these sessions to share your thoughts and ideas. Sessions scheduled April 23: Private schools issues, 6:30 pm, Chaminade-Julienne High School, 505 S. Ludlow St. April 28: Charter schools issues, 6:30 p.m., Dayton Leadership Academy, 1416 W. Riverview Ave. May 1: Immigrant community issues, 6 p.m., Ahiska Turkish American Community Center, 1306 E. Fifth St. May 3: National League of Cities, 8 am to noon, UD River Campus, 1700 South Patterson Blvd. This meeting will be sponsored by Learn to Earn Dayton and the Montgomery County Educational Service Center. Legislators, school board members and superintendents, among others, have been invited.

Announcing Scholarships to the OEA Summer Academy   The OEA Summer Academy is August 4-6 at the Columbus Hilton Downtown. WOEA awards 21 scholarships for WOEA members to attend the Summer Academy. The first deadline to apply is Monday, April 7. If there are scholarships left, the second deadline is May 12. NOTE: Conference registration on the OEA website opens May 1, 2014.

WOEA Women's Caucus - Save the Date! NEA Human and Civil Rights Women's Leadership Training Program  June 20-22, 2014 Crowne Plaza in Columbus-Dublin, OH 600 Metro Place North, Dublin 43017  Developing Your Leadership Skills for Experienced Leaders REGISTRATION FORM

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