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Upcoming Dates:

• May 15-Deadline for first-round consideration for an ECOEA scholarship to attend the OEA Summer Leadership Academy. Apply now to get your name on the waitlist for scholarships awarded after the May 15 deadline! See link below!
• May 22-Amy Acton townhall at the Canton Memorial Civic Center Register here
• May 28-Deadline to apply to attend the OEA Summer Leadership Academy
• June 18-ECOEA Summer Leadership/OEA Treasurers' Training
• June 22-OEA Golf Outing, Columbus
• June 22-24-OEA Summer Leadership Academy, Columbus
• July 4-7-NEA Representative Assembly, Denver, CO
• July 25-OEA Foundation Gala-COSI, Columbus
• July 29-ECOEA Summer PD Zoom-earn up to 3 hours at our PD Zoom!
• September 26-SAVE THE DATE! Public Education Matters Celebration Day for all members at zoos across the state!

Dear members,

As another school year draws to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our educators. Your tireless work and unwavering dedication to your students and communities are the backbone of our schools. I also want to express our appreciation to those who participated in our democratic process by electing delegates and ensuring representation at the OEA Representative Assembly this past weekend in Columbus. Your engagement is vital to keeping our collective voice strong at the state level.

Looking ahead, I encourage everyone to join us for an important Education Rally on May 22nd at the Canton Memorial Civic Center at 6:00 PM. This event will feature Amy Acton as our guest speaker. It is a crucial opportunity for us to stand together and advocate for the future of public education in our community.

For those looking to grow professionally and connect with fellow leaders, we have three excellent summer opportunities:

• OEA Summer Leadership: If you want to gain deeper union knowledge while networking and having some fun, apply to attend OEA Summer Leadership today! More details can be found in the newsletter below.
• ECOEA Summer Leadership: We urge all local Presidents and Treasurers to attend our ECOEA Summer Leadership on June 18th at Stark ESC (8:30 AM – 2:00 PM). This session will cover essential topics, including new grant opportunities, Auto Pay implementation details, and property tax issues. Sign up today!
• ECOEA Summer Zoom: Join us for up to 3 PD hours on Zoom, July 29, from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Relaxing at the beach? No problem! Zoom from there!

Finally, I wish everyone a safe and restful summer. You have earned this time to recharge and relax. 

In Solidarity, 

Juliann Doerschuk

ECOEA President

OEA SPRING REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY

The OEA Spring Representative Assembly was held in Columbus May 8th & 9th, with forty-two delegates from thirteen ECOEA locals joining with locals from across the state to do the work of the association. It was a busy weekend of reports, debate, celebrations, and recognitions.

On Friday, the OEA Awards Luncheon was held at the Hyatt Downtown where all OEA Award and Scholarship winners were recognized. Nominated by ECOEA, Kathleen Purdy received the Doris L. Allen HCR Award, and Terrance Jones, CEO of Simply Youth, received the Charles Glatt HCR Award. Through Simply Youth, Terrance provides summer opportunities for youth in Canton as well as a spring break HBCU college tour for 250 students. Congratulations to both of our ECOEA winners!

During the Friday evening session of the RA, Senator Scott Oelslager was recognized with the OEA Legislative Champion for Public Education award for his consistent support of unions and public education throughout his legislative career. Then former senator Sherrod Brown addressed the RA and met with members at a reception following the RA. The evening ended with the District Leaders' Hospitality Night with North Canton EA member Jim York spinning the tunes as members danced and networked.

Saturday's session kicked off with a powerful visit from Amy Acton who told her story how public education saved her from her life as a homeless student in Youngstown and led to her life of public service. We highly recommend ALL ECOEA members hear her story when she comes to the Canton Civic Center on Friday, May 22, through the efforts of CPEA with the support of OEA. REGISTER AT THIS LINK TO ATTEND. It was a full day of reports, awards, speeches, and debate with 9 New Business Items. We had several ECOEA members on the debate floor, working as floor assistants, at convention planning, and submitting NBIs. It was especially exciting for our first-time delegate Monica from East Canton EA who won a $1,000 travel voucher from NEA Member Benefits!

ECOEA delegates were everywhere! Good job!

Special thanks to delegate Mandy Wagner for sharing some great pictures of this weekend's activities. Be sure to follow ECOEA on Facebook!

Representatives from 13 of the 62 ECOEA locals were in attendance:

• Alliance EA
• Canton Professional Educators' Association
• Claymont EA
• East Canton EA
• East Liverpool EA
• Fairless EA
• Jackson Memorial EA
• Minerva Local EA
• Plain Local TA
• SCEPTA
• Southern Local TA
• Triway EA
• Wooster EA

We hope to see more locals participate in the governance of your association next year!

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See how Edvance can help you plan: https://hubs.la/Q041_Lgt0

Registration is now open for the OEA Summer Leadership Academy, June 22-24, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. Registration fee is $100 which covers two nights double occupancy at the hotel, meals, and workshop. ECOEA is proud to offer sixteen member scholarships to attend, one per local, first-come, first-served! Our scholarship is by reimbursement; member pays the $100 when registering. After the member attends the SLA, a refund check is sent to them. Apply now!

OEA is offering regional scholarships. ECOEA is in Region 2. The application is at the gold button below.

Your ECOEA officers and staff:

President Juliann Doerschuk, Canton Professional EA

Vice President Heather Zuniga, Malvern EA

Recording Secretary Kelli Mohn, Plain Local TA

Interim Executive Director Valerie Heban, OEA-Retired, North Canton EA

Executive Director, Laurie Spangler, Plain Local TA

Website ecoea.ohea.us

ECOEA Office Phone (330) 499-8587

ECOEA Email ecoea@sbcglobal.net