A Message from our President
Happy Holidays,
I just returned from a busy but productive weekend in Columbus. I subbed at the OEA Board of Directors meeting on Friday and then attended the OEA Representative Assembly on Saturday. The weekend was action-packed with the vital work of our association. During the RA, a New Business Item spoke to our immediate need to organize, build our capacity and gather together to spread the importance of fully funding and backing public education along with the need to retain our collective bargaining rights. We are at critical times and need to be working now to elect pro-public education candidates both locally and statewide. I hope for all of you to take action today. Some ways to take action include speaking to your legislators, meeting with community partners to strengthen existing relationships or to create new ones, chat with members and friends about the issues facing public schools (most likely they support you and will continue to support us if they are aware), attend school board meetings, participate in union activities when possible and continue to fight to maintain collective bargaining rights. Together we are stronger!
May your holidays be merry and may the next few weeks go quickly!
In solidarity,
Juliann Doerschuk
| | | | |
ECOEA at the OEA RA
The OEA Representative Assembly was held over the weekend in Columbus with over 700 delegates from across the state in attendance. ECOEA had 40 active members from twelve different locals and three retired delegates attend. NEA Vice President Princess Moss was a special guest and addressed the assembly. Spirited debate over an emergency New Business Item united the assembly in their resolve to fight to protect collective bargaining rights in Ohio, and the immediate need to elect pro-public education candidates. Electing and sending delegates in your local is critical to be part of the conversation. It is not too late to hold an election so you can be represented at the Spring Rep Assembly.
We were especially proud to have seven first-time delegates attend. The following locals were represented at the OEA RA:
- Claymont EA
- Canton Professional EA
- East Liverpool EA
- Fairless EA
- Jackson Memorial EA
- Minerva Local EA
- North Canton EA
- Plain Local TA
- Rittman EA
- SCEPTA
- Southern Local TA
- Wooster EA
| | |
Nominations are open for ECOEA Expiring Terms
Expiring Terms on the ECOEA Executive Committee, three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026 (2026-2029). To declare your candidacy, complete the Letter of Intent by March 1, 2026. To apply for a county rep position, your local must be in that county.
- Carroll County Rep
- Holmes County Rep
- Stark County Rep #5
- Stark County Rep #6
- Wayne County Rep #2
- Minority Rep (to fill a vacancy, term ending 2027)
Expiring Term that requires OEA Declaration of Candidacy to be filed with OEA by January 26, 2026:
- OEA Board of Directors, Unit 1
Candidate must be a member of a local in ECOEA Voting Unit 1.
Expiring Terms to represent ECOEA on OEA Standing Committees, three-year terms, must complete the Letter of Intent by March 1, 2026. Open to all ECOEA active members.
- ECOEA Rep to Collective Bargaining Committee
- ECOEA Rep to Organizing Strategy and Member Advocacy Committee
- ECOEA Rep to Convention Planning Committee
| |
Our next member event is on Saturday morning January 31, on Zoom to talk about your money--your paycheck now, and the money you anticipate receiving when you retire. EVERY member needs to understand their pension system from day one of employment. At 9:00 AM, we have two simultaneous sessions-one for certified members with STRS, and one for classified members with SERS. At 10:00 am, learn about Edvance College Benefit from NEA Member Benefits open to you and your family that will match you with an online college program that you can attend at discounted cost, including you with a Masters program! We are super happy to have Julie Nelson, president of North Canton EA, for the final presentation where she will break down your paycheck and explain the numbers, where the money goes, what is negotiated and what is law. She will explain what obtaining a Masters degree can do for you over your career and make your retirement even sweeter!
Retirement isn’t an age — it’s a financial milestone. Learn how to have the money ready when you reach it. No cost to attend, door prizes, PD hours! Your spouse or advisor can watch with you, too! You can't afford to miss this workshop!
| |
William and Dolores Quinn Scholarships for Members and Children of Members
ECOEA is proud to annually award scholarships in honor of our first Executive Director William Quinn and our first Executive Secretary Dolores Quinn.
The Quinn Member Scholarship provides $500 for continuing education and is chosen by a lottery drawing of all applicants. This year we are also awarding a memorial scholarship to a member for $500 in honor of Mrs. Quinn who passed away last summer. We will draw the second scholarship from the same group of applicants for a total of two member scholarships.
The Quinn Child of a Member Scholarship of $1,500 is awarded to a child of a member who is seeking a degree in education at an accredited college or university. The scholarship is awarded by lottery drawing from all eligible applicants. The scholarship is paid directly to the college or university in the child's name.
Use the button below to apply. The application deadline is March 1, 2026.
| | | | |
Join our friend from NEA Member Benefits Guy Kendall-Freas for a workshop on Student Loan Forgiveness. Each session is the same and will last one hour and 15 minutes. Guy will help you make sense of the options and changes in the student loan qualifications and eligibility. Guy has been a blessing to our members, many of whom have received thousands of dollars in forgiveness with his guidance and the use ot the NEA Student Loan Debt Navigator tool.
Guy is retiring at the end of this month after 30 years of member service with NEA Member Benefits. We recognized Guy as our Friend of Education in 2023. We will miss Guy's dedicated service to our members.
| |  | |
| |
OEA-R Retired Update
OEA-Retired members continue to advocate for public education and the benefits you have earned. Kathleen Purdy, retired from Plain Local TA, is the OEA-Retired Advisory Council member representing ECOEA, and a past president of ECOEA. Check out Kathleen's report below.
Read Kathleen's December Newsbrief here.
| | | | |
Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 OEA Educational Foundation Innovation and Diversity Grants!
The work of the Ohio Educational Foundation is to fund initiatives that enhance student learning, student achievement, and well-being, as well as promote social justice. There are four Grants available to members:
-
Diversity Grants — Up to $3,000 - To develop and pursue instructional classroom programs or curriculum that promote diversity, tolerance, and respect for humankind within the classroom and educational environment.
-
Innovation Grants — Up to $6,000 - For the pursuit of innovative and creative practices where learning is enriched by experiences or projects.
-
Whisper Grant for Students in Need — Up to $500 per individual or $10,000 per school - Funds provided directly to an OEA member to assist a student or group of students with an identified hardship in meeting an educational or personal need.
-
Make-A-Wish — In collaboration with Make-A-Wish®, the Foundation provides seed money for OEA Locals seeking to make a child’s wish come true. The Foundation will provide a $500 Grant to match the first $500 raised.
The Whisper Grants and Make-A-Wish Grants are available year-round. The Diversity and Innovation Grant Applications open December 1 and are due February 14, 2026. The grant actions/activities must be completed by May 31, 2027 at which time a report is due back to the Foundation. All applications have an online fillable or downloadable form.
| | |
LET'S GO CAVS!
In addition to the Ohio Educator Appreciation Night, the Cavs offer steep discounts for other games for our members. Catch the action live and save BIG with exclusive Cavs game discounts for a limited time only! Now’s your chance to see your favorite matchups at unbeatable prices — these discounts disappear soon, so grab your tickets before they're gone!
40% OFF
Dec. 3 vs Trail Blazers
Dec. 19 vs Bulls
Dec. 22 vs Hornets
Dec. 23 vs Pelicans
Jan. 12 vs Jazz
Jan. 23 vs Kings
Jan. 26 vs Magic
Feb. 11 vs Wizards
Feb. 19 vs Nets
30% OFF
Nov. 30 vs Celtics
Dec. 31 vs Suns
Jan. 4 vs Pistons
20% OFF
Jan. 2 vs Nuggets
Jan. 10 vs Timberwolves
Jan. 19 vs Thunder
USE ACCESS CODE: NEOPTA22
‌
Once you select the game of your choice, please click the "Use Access Code" button to enter your code listed above to proceed with your purchase and receive your special offer pricing.
‌
A few things to note for this special offer:
· Tickets are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis
· This ticket offer is only available online
Great online Holiday Shopping and Stocking Stuffers for our members!
This discount code works for other events at Rocket Arena such as Cleveland Monsters, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Disney On Ice! Do your Christmas shopping using this code!
| | |
PROFOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
Stark County Proud! Coming Dec. 19
Did you go to school with or teach with one of the 97 professional football players who hail from Stark County? Discover why Canton was chosen as the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and celebrate the achievements of the five Hall of Famers from Stark County whose legacies helped shape the game. Explore “Stark County Proud!”, a powerful showcase of football tradition featuring stories from 18 local high schools and nearly 100 Stark County high school graduates who went on to play in the NFL. This limited-time exhibit is your chance to connect with the roots of football excellence. Stark County residents receive 50 percent off walk-in tickets with proof of residency. 📢Make sure to tell your local friends and family about this new exhibit!
| | |
Coming in our January Newsletter-registration for the ECOEA Legislative Dinner on March 6, 2026, ECOEA Spring Public Relations Grants, ECOEA Internal Organizing Grants!
Per ECOEA Policy 3.6 Access to Financial Reports-the monthly Executive Committee financial report is available to any member upon request.
| |
|
Your ECOEA officers and staff:
President Juliann Doerschuk, Canton Professional EA
Vice President Heather Zuniga, Malvern EA
Recording Secretary Kelli Mohn, Plain Local TA
Business Manager Valerie Heban, OEA-Retired, North Canton EA
Website ecoea.ohea.us
ECOEA Office Phone (330) 499-8587
ECOEA Email ecoea@sbcglobal.net
| | | | |
