A Message from ECOEA President Juliann
Hello members,
I hope everyone is staying warm during this extended cold spell! I have two requests for all ECOEA members. The first is to join us on Friday, March 6th at our Legislative Dinner. We have multiple Senators and State Representatives attending so now we need YOU! Please make plans to attend as well as invite your friends! Let's fill the room with members to advocate for our students and public schools!
We are thrilled to announce our 2026 Friend of Education which goes to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank which brings me to my second request. If each ECOEA member would donate just $5, we could raise more than $35,000 for them which would result in many backpacks being filled and so many students and families benefitting. Use the green button in the article below to make your donation today.
I hope to see you on March 6th and can't wait to see what we can raise for the Foodbank!
In solidarity,
Juliann Doerschuk
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ECOEA LEGISLATIVE DINNER
Join us on Friday, March 6, at LaPizzaria Restaurant for an inspiring evening dedicated to public education. Engage with local legislators over a complimentary dinner while sharing insights and discussing the issues affecting public education in Ohio.
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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 link below to apply. The application deadline is March 1, 2026.
Apply here for the Quinn Member and Child of a Member Scholarships
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INTERNAL ORGANIZING GRANTS FROM ECOEA
Have a great idea but need some cash to implement it for your members? Here's an opportunity to get those funds!
ECOEA provides grants of up to $500 for locals to engage and retain membership through Internal Organizing Grants. Eligible locals can apply at the button below by the March 1, 2026, deadline.
In 2024, Northwest TA used their Internal Organizing Grant to raise morale and foster community among members by having a member appreciation lunch. Food is a great way to get members to come together! Good job, NTA!
Apply here for Internal Organizing Grants
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SPRING PUBLIC RELATIONS GRANTS
ECOEA is offering a second round of Public Relations Grants to eligible locals this spring. Engaging your local as a community supporter reflects positively on your local association and members. Get your association name out there in the community by using an ECOEA PR Grant!
Minerva Local EA used a Spring PR grant to purchase Scholastic books to distribute at the Minerva Downtown Wonderland. Books were labeled as gifts from MLEA and ECOEA and distributed by MLEA members to the children as they participated in the community event. It was a great gift of reading to the Minerva children and community!
Apply here for Spring Public Relations Grants
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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.
OEA-Retired members are welcome to participate in all ECOEA events. We'd love to see you at the Legislative Dinner, March 6!
Read Kathleen's February Newsbrief here.
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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:
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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.
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Innovation Grants — Up to $6,000 - For the pursuit of innovative and creative practices where learning is enriched by experiences or projects.
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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.
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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.
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Advance your career in education while managing costs.
In partnership with Edvance, your NEA College Benefit offers discounted tuition on undergraduate and graduate programs. Members like you are using this benefit to:
- Advance their skills and pursue higher pay-scale tiers with Master of Education programs
- Build new skills & pathways in education foundations, psychology, business, and other in-demand programs.
- Extend the benefit and its savings to spouses, children, and even grandchildren to support their goals.
Explore programs today: https://hubs.la/Q041_Lgt0
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Ohio Deferred Compensation Participant Webinars
Ohio DC offers webinars on a variety of topics. February webinar topics include:
- Approaching Retirement - Beyond the Basics: February 11
- Asset Allocation & Managing Risk: February 18
- Ask Ohio DC. We're Here to Help!: February 25
If members can't join one of the live webinars, they are recorded and can be watched later at their convenience. Register at the ODC webinar site.
Ohio Deferred Compensation 457(b) is a supplemental retirement savings plan open to all public employees in Ohio that allows for a flexible and tax-advantaged way to plan for retirement. Like a 403 (b), a 457 (b) offers educators the ability to grow their retirement savings tax-free while working.
One key difference is a 457 allows for penalty-free withdrawals at any age which can be beneficial for people who retire before the age of 59 1/2 years old that's required for distribution in the 403 plan.
Learn more about the 457 (b) option at the ODC website.
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Your ECOEA officers and staff:
President Juliann Doerschuk, Canton Professional EA
Vice President Heather Zuniga, Malvern EA
Recording Secretary Kelli Mohn, Plain Local TA
Executive Director Valerie Heban, OEA-Retired, North Canton EA
Website ecoea.ohea.us
ECOEA Office Phone (330) 499-8587
ECOEA Email ecoea@sbcglobal.net
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