Why it's time to stand up and tell the real story of Ohio's public schools

In his first weeks in office as the Ohio Education Association's new president, Jeff Wensing has faced everything from the Ohio House attempting to override the governor's vetoes on the most damaging property tax provisions in the new state budget to questions about what the legislature's moves to silence the voices of educators by removing elected positions from the State Board of Education and the State Teachers Retirement System Board will mean for the future or our public schools. He's also had the chance to meet with many educators as they begin the new school year. As we begin Season 6 of this podcast, Jeff shares his thoughts on how Ohio's educators can stand up for our public school students by shining a spotlight on their success. 

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Featured Public Education Matters guest: 

• Jeff Wensing, Ohio Education Association President
  • A high school math teacher in Parma City Schools, Jeff Wensing was elected OEA President in 2025 after serving as the Association’s vice president for six years. A public education advocate and leader for more than 33 years, Jeff served as President of the Parma Education Association from 2012-2018, and as President of the North Eastern Ohio Education Association (NEOEA) from 2016-2018. He served on OEA’s Constitution and Bylaws Committee and President’s Cabinet, as Vice Chair of OEA’s District Leaders Council, and as a member of the Fiscal Fitness Review Committee and Systemic Practices Committee. As Vice President, Jeff continued to emphasize the importance of organizing members throughout the state.
  • Jeff believes OEA’s commitment must be unwavering in protecting, promoting, and strengthening Ohio’s public schools. As President, he maintains open and effective communication with the OEA Board and district and local leaders to continue building OEA’s collective strength and lead the Association’s advocacy for all students and educators and efforts to ensure equity and inclusion.
  • As President, Jeff prioritizes empowering local affiliates, equipping leaders for successful negotiations, expanding and diversifying OEA membership, enhancing political advocacy, safeguarding equitable funding for public schools, opposing unchecked voucher expansion, defending collective bargaining rights, and promoting safe and supportive schools.

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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