Giving new Local leaders the tools to succeed

The Ohio Education Association is made up of about 750 Local associations across the state - each with its own elected leaders. But, when it comes to the prospect of stepping into Local leadership, some potential Local presidents may not even know where they would begin. As the presidents of the Trotwood Madison Education Association and the Northwest Teachers Association tell us, supports like trainings from the National Education Association for new presidents have been invaluable as they've embarked on and grown in their new roles.

SEE THE OHIO SCHOOLS STORY | Barb Newtown was also featured in the December/January edition of the Ohio Schools magazine. Click here to read the story on Page 21.  

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Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• David Graham, President, Trotwood Madison Education Association
  • An 8th grade science teacher at Trotwood Madison Middle School, David Graham is in his 17th year of teaching. The 2024-2025 school year marks his first year as Local president. Graham received his bachelor's degree in Middle Childhood Education from Wright State University. He is currently pursuing his Master of Arts degree in Religion at Southern Evangelical Seminary, and expects to graduate in 2025.
• Barb Newtown, President, Northwest Teachers' Association (Stark Co.)
  • Currently serving in her fourth year as Northwest Teachers' Association president, Barb Newtown is passionate about community engagement and advocating for members. She is a middle school Tech Resource Teacher who has been teaching for 31 years. During that time, Newton has served 20 years as a building representative for her Local union. She also has 20 years of coaching experience at the middle school and high school level. 

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About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents nearly 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Public Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May 2020, after a ten-year career as an Emmy Award winning television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children. 

This episode was recorded on December 16, 2024.