The Voice of Public Education in Western Ohio

Each boot camp will begin Friday at 5:00 p.m. and conclude by 4:00 p.m., Saturday. All meals, materials, and overnight lodging will be provided for each participant. Participants will be notified regarding the status of your application approximately three weeks prior to the boot camp.

Click here to apply online: bootcamp.ohea.org. Need more information before applying? Contact Eric Watson-Urban at urbane@ohea.org.

Dayton October 18-19th Application Deadline: September 20, 2019
Columbus November 15-16th Application Deadline: October 18, 2019
Findlay November 22-23rd Application Deadline: October 25, 2019

An OEA Bargaining Boot Camp is an intensive, team-based training about incorporating essential organizing and bargaining concepts as part of your local association’s culture. The training will also provide local-specific financial analysis, health insurance, and contract language assessments.

Joyce Coney-Lacy
WOEA President

To apply or nominate a member or local association, click on the award above. Deadlines appear to the right of the award.

WOEA AWARDS

​​​This past summer has brought many challenges to our area. It began with the tornadoes on Memorial Day. Families were displaced and wondering how they were going to cope with the loss of their homes and many familiar places in the community. The community rallied and supported one another. You could see neighbors helping neighbors and strangers coming to the aid of people they did not know but they wanted to help. As the summer days moved on a sense of recovery began to build, then just as sudden our community takes on another disaster, this one man-made but just as heart wrenching. A gunman attacks innocent bystanders in the heart of the Dayton community. How much more can we take? The question that rises in my heart is “How are the children?”

As educators, we know that we have students who come to us with many needs that should be addressed. We face the challenge daily of how do I help my students succeed and achieve their highest potential. I do not have the answers to the challenges you face but I heard the cry of Dayton to “Do Something”. Every day in your school do something to make life a little better and kinder for those who cannot do it for themselves. As your WOEA president, I will do my best to advocate for you as you advocate for your students. There are many initiatives that will be coming forward this year. One that I believe in and would like each of you to participate in is “RED for ED” Wednesday. Please wear something red each Wednesday. You may ask why red, not in my words but I strongly agree with them.

​What Does It Mean To Wear RED.

• The color RED is the color of Energy, Passion and Action.
  
• The color is a warm and positive color, associated with our most physical needs and our will to survive. It exudes a strong and powerful energy.
  
• RED is energizing. It excites the emotions and motivates us to take action.
  
• It signifies a pioneering spirit and leadership qualities, promoting ambition and determination. It also means strong-willed and can give confidence to those who are shy or lacking in willpower.
  
• Positive keywords associated with RED include: action, energy and speed, attention-getting, assertive and confident, energizing, stimulating, exciting, powerful, passionate, driven, courageous and strong, and spontaneous and determined.
  

These words describe every educator that has been in my life the first one being my mother. Each of you have taken on numerous challenges and have persevered. Thank you for all you do. WOEA is here to support you. Have a marvelous school year. Stay union strong.

From the president

​Summer is coming to an end. The weather is starting to change. There’s a nip in the air. The longer days seem to be flying by much more quickly. Soon you will see back to school sales everywhere. Students and teachers are shopping for that new outfit for school. They are eager to see old friends, find out what they did over the summer and somewhat anxious and excited about meeting new friends. It’s that time again- the school year has begun.