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The East Central Ohio Education Association is YOUR district. As one of the ten OEA districts, ECOEA represents 8,000 OEA members in Carroll, Columbiana, Holmes, Stark, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties. We are the link between your local association and the Ohio Education Association.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT A GLANCE:

• December 1-Hospitality Night at the OEA RA for delegates 8:00-11:00 PM
• December 2-OEA Fall Representative Assembly, Columbus
• January 27-ECOEA Winter Workshop on Zoom-STRS, SERS, and much more!
• January 31-OEA Scholarships & Awards deadline
• February 22-24-Advocacy and Organizing Institute, Columbus-ECOEA scholarships available, apply now!
• March 8-ECOEA Legislative Dinner-LaPizzaria, Save the Date!

On behalf of the leadership of ECOEA, our deepest sympathy to the members of the Tusky Valley Teachers' Association, the Buckeye Career Center Education Association , and Carrollton Education Association on the loss of your precious students, parent, and our union brother and sister.

Mail can be sent to locals at:

Tuscarawas Valley Intermediate ES

c/o Sarah Witting

216 PARK AVE NW

BOLIVAR, OH 446129504

Buckeye Career Center JVS

c/o James Young

545 University Drive NE

New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663-9439

Carrollton Education Association

c/o Travis Ledford

Carrollton Elementary School

252 3rd St. NE

Carrollton, OH 44615

The Deeper Well

by Julie Holderbaum, Minerva Local EA

I had been looking forward to the NCTE convention in Columbus for months. A gathering of authors, English teachers, vendors, and speakers, all sharing ideas and inspiration. I had been excited and eager to make the trip.

But my drive to Columbus on Thursday morning was emotional. I couldn’t stop thinking about the Tusky Valley band, making the same journey about the same time just two days earlier. They too had been anticipating their trip, and they were probably filled with the same exuberance I was, the giddiness of being away from school on a weekday, the sun beating down from a blue sky. I passed a charter bus and glanced over, noticing the underneath storage area. I teared up thinking about the musical instruments lost in the accident, as if that was the tragic part. I suppose it was easier than thinking about the human loss.

Use the button to continue reading

ECOEA WINTER FINANCE WORKSHOP

ECOEA invites you to join us in your jammies on Saturday, January 27, on Zoom. We have a full line-up of financial and retirement sessions for all members-clasified, certified, early and late career! Attend one, two, three or four sessions, whatever works best for you. Get up-to-date information from SERS and STRS representatives, Student Loan Forgiveness, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, and the very practical and informational How to Read Your Paycheck (the things you learn!).

There is no charge to attend any sessions, PD certificates for the hours you attend, door prizes, and lots and lots of good information! Sign up today!

ECOEA PUBLIC RELATIONS GRANTS AWARDED

Congratulations to the following locals for their Public Relations Grants that were awarded at the ECOEA Delegate Briefing on Saturday. They will use their $500 grants for community projects that demonstrate their local and members are commited to the community where they work. Grants were awarded to:

• East Canton Education Association, Craig Linerode, President; Ida Gorman, Grant writer. "Student of the Month Yard Signs"
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• Minerva Local Education Association, Katie Reusser, President and Grant writer. "Scholarship Race Sponsorship"
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• Northwest Teachers' Association, Barb Newton, President and Grant writer. "Christmas on the Canal"
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• Rittman Education Association, Alicia Mayfield and Jennifer Dziczkowski, Co-Presidents; Grant writer John Casper. "Aultman Ambassadors' Outdoor Classroom"

Congratulations to these locals. We can't wait to see what you do! There will be another round of Public Relations Grants in the spring. Make sure YOUR LOCAL is eligible by electing and sending delegates to the ECOEA Spring Representative Assembly.

Join other OEA members at Educator Appreciation Nights at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Use the button below to see all games where you as an association member can purchase discounted tickets! Watch for more offers at this site. Cavs tickets make great holiday gifts for a fun family night out.

Rocket Mortgage is also offering discounts to other events at the Fieldhouse such as the Monsters, Disney on Ice, The Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Jam, even Mariah Carey! Take advantage of these offers at the brown button below!

ECOEA is providing ten full $100 scholarships to members to attend the OEA Advocacy and Organizing Institute. One scholarship per local with preference given to members attending for the first time. Apply today for consideration!

Sixty-eight members and guests enjoyed their turkey dinner and pie at the Hartville Kitchen before the Legal Update presentation by OEA attorney Rachel Reight. In an engaging and informative evening, Rachel shared cases involving educators in Ohio. We also welcomed OEA Vice President Jeff Wensing who gave remarks. Along with receiving a certificate for one hour of PD, there were lucky "door pies" winners too. Plan on joining us next year for this annual October event!

Hello my OEA friends!

I am excited to announce that our new cell phone program launched today. The NEA Wireless Program is offered in partnership with Consumer Cellular, a top-rated wireless provider that provides cellphones and no-contract service plans and uses the networks of the largest cellular providers in the U.S., with access to 99% of the U.S. population! This new program offers NEA members and their families affordable and flexible cell phone service plans.

The NEA Wireless Program provides members with superior nationwide coverage with plans starting as low as $20 per month. Family members can also be added for just $15 per month. With no termination, contract, or activation fees, members have fee-free flexibility and may change rate plans mid-month without penalty. They can receive $50 off each new line activated by December 31, 2024, applied as individual $5 credits on ten (10) monthly invoices.

You can check out the programs here:

NEA Wireless Program: https://www.neamb.com/products/nea-wireless-program

Best wishes for a great Thanksgiving!

Guy J. Kendall-Freas

Have you contributed to the OEA Fund for Children and Public Education? You can make a one-time or monthly donation to support pro-public education candidates who work for your interests as a public education employee. As no dues dollars can be used for political campaigns, the OEA Fund provides monetary support to endorsed candidates in their election campaigns. Donate today!