All members are invited to participate in our annual ECOEA legislative event at An Evening with the Legislators, which will be held virtually on Friday, March 5, 2021. Last year's event held on March 6 was likely one of the last in-person outings for many who attended as in the days that followed, the state began to shut down and schools switched to remote learning. It's been a long year since we have been together and we anticipate there will be much to talk about!

We will be hosting the event on Zoom and have invited all the elected Ohio Senators and State Representatives along with the elected State Board of Education members that serve our six-county district. The evening will begin at 6:30 PM and conclude by 8:00 PM.

Both scholarship drawings will be held at the April ECOEA Executive Board meeting and awarded at the ECOEA Spring Representative Assembly. Deadline to apply is April 1, 2021. Use the button below to apply.

Common Scams

1.      Medicare Scam- Medicare will never call, email or visit you regarding their services. If you receive a call about a Medicare Update or issuing new cards, hang up. If in doubt, call Medicare at 1.800.MEDICARE

2.      Financial Scams- Do not open emails from an address you do not recognize. Also, do not click on links to websites in an unsolicited email. Although the link may look real, it could lead you to a fake site. Delete the emails. Request a free copy of your Credit Report each year. Call toll free 1.877.322.8228 or go to www.annualcreditreport.com

3.      Read Across America is just a month away. If you would like to be a reader, please contact Cindy Endres lae42590@aol.com. The theme is Diversity. Thank you Cindy for being the ECOEA-Retired lead person through our NEA-Retired Grant.

4.      Sign up for the OEA-Retired Spring Conference because these conferences are always very interesting, informative and affordable. You will be glad that you attended. The COVID pandemic has left many of us wondering if we will be able to continue to reach out to our members. While learning a new skill, such as Zoom, you will realize its benefits to connecting with family, neighbors, clubs and the OEA-Retired/NEA- Retired Conferences which Registration opened February 1. Please read your NEA-Retired periodicals and/or our website at www.ecoea-r.ohea.us for more information.

5.      Thank you to all that helped to collect STRS Petition signatures for our OEA Endorsed candidates, both active and retired seats. Next, be sure to vote as they are making sure that we receive all of the benefits possible.

6.      The February 3, 2021 OEA Retirement Webinar had good attendance, presenters and participants. The GPO/WEP (Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provision) presentation by NEA Sylvia Johnson, Ph.D is encouraging Ohioans to contact our State Representatives to support HR 82. This legislation has co-sponsors and need to hear your personal stories concerning the inability to collect your spouses or your Social Security if you are receiving benefits from a state retirement system. Personally, as a result of this present legislation, I am unable to collect any of the Social Security from my husband’s 38 years of paying into it. Congress allows the payment in all but 11 states, including Ohio. Please write or call today.

Welcome back to the Beyond the Classroom professional learning

on Thursdays and Saturdays. There's still time to sign up for the next session on February 18--Avoid Burnout with Mindful Self-Care and Self-Compassion.

ECOEA is looking for members to present relevant topics at our ECOEA Summer Leadership Workshop this summer. Our Summer Sessions will be held virtually on Thursday mornings and afternoons throughout the month of July. A stipend will be provided to member presenters. Use the button below to submit a title and description of your session for approval. Our members are awesome teachers!

The OEA Foundation provides four different grants to enhance student learning, student achievement, and well-being, as well as promote social justice.

See the OEA Foundation website for details and application information

The following offices have expiring terms in 2021. Elections for these positions will be held at the ECOEA Spring Representative Assembly. If you are interested in running for an ECOEA officer position, Executive Committee representative or ECOEA rep to an OEA Committee, please submit a Letter of Intent to the ECOEA Business Manager Valerie Heban no later than March 8, 2021 in order for your name to appear on the ballot. You may submit your Letter of Intent by mail or email.