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OhioSchools
FEBRUARY 2019
Sharonville Elementary
students are excited about
books they selected from
the Princeton City Schools
Mobile Book Center.
Driving literacy
Princeton educators lead student
success with mobile book center p12
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OhioSchools
OhioSchools
FEBRUARY 2019
VOL. 98 NO. 1 FEBRUARY 2019
COVER STORY The professional publication of more than
12 Driving literacy 122,000 members of the Ohio Education Association
The OEA Mission Statement:
Princeton educators lead student Sharonville Elementary
students are excited about
The OEA will lead the way for continuous improvement
success with mobile book center
books they selected from
the Princeton City Schools
of public education while advocating for members
Mobile Book Center.
and the learners they serve.
FEATURE Driving literacy
Princeton educators lead student
success with mobile book center p12
OEA Board of Directors
President Becky Higgins
15 OEA members focus on photo by Tim Revell
Copley-Fairlawn
Vice President Scott W. DiMauro
using power to create Worthington
change at 2019 Advocacy
Secretary-Treasurer Mark Hill
Worthington
and Organizing Institute Samuel Adu-Poku, Youngstown State University; Barb Armour, Brunswick;
Nola Brooks, Xenia; Herman “M.J.” Burkett, Steubenville; Amy Butcher,
Westlake; Jeff Caivano, Northwestern; Melinda Campbell, Bethel; Joyce
DEPARTMENTS
Coney-Lacy, Mad River; Kellie Crawford, Ohio University; Lonnie Dusch,
Princeton; Kelly Duwve, Sylvania; Amanda Dyer, Kenton; Angel Dyer-Sanchez,
Columbus; Larry Ellis, Youngstown; Cindy Endres, Jackson; Rob Fetters, Mount
2 President’s Message Vernon; Amy Fugate, Huber Heights; Julie Garcia, Lorain; Jorge González,
Kings; Amy Grittani, South-Western; Melanie Hameed, Warren; Deborah
Power and possibility Jackson, Princeton; Linna Jordan, Hilliard; Marchell Josie, East Cleveland;
Mary Kennedy, Hilliard; Carol Kinsey, OEA-Retired; Tammy Koontz, SCOPE;
Tammy LaPlante, Ashtabula; Brenda Lemon, Logan-Hocking; Karen Linch,
3 Notebook Wooster; Debra Lipnos, Twinsburg; Teri Mackey, Wadsworth; Dwayne Marshall,
Gahanna-Jefferson; Thomas McOwen, Bethel-Tate; Tyler Meyer, Mount
Across the nation, teachers take to the streets to defend public education Healthy; Tamika Moss, Canton; Carol Nance, Fairfield; Jerry Oberhaus, Liberty
Center; Geneva Parker, Canton; Amy Shenefield, Buckeye Valley; Erin Stevens,
5 Extra Credit
Pickerington; Ty Tatman, Zane Trace; William Van Pelt II, Belpre; Cheryl
Williams, Dublin.
Comic strip created by OEA member Chris Pearce (Middletown TA) NEA Directors
Let’s talk about Betsy DeVos! Andrea Beeman, Maple Heights; Adrienne Bowden, Pickerington; Dan
Greenberg, Sylvania; Emilly Osterling, Lakota; Kim Richards, Cardinal; Sophia
Rodriguez, Coldwater; Angela Stewart, Newcomerstown; HaSheen Wilson,
8 Making the Grade Youngstown State University.
Chardon student’s wish creates world-class space for vocal music Staff Executives
Sheryl Mathis, Executive Director; Kelly Bailey, Paralegal; Jim Capehart,
Crestwood EA partners with local businesses to help families Director of Membership; Ric Castorano, Executive Assistant—Field; Joe
affected by government shutdown Cohagen, Controller; Dawn Elias, Human Resources Administrator; Linda Fiely,
General Counsel; open, Director of Human Resources and Workforce Planning;
Educators and students honor Public Education Week in Ohio at Davy Kenimer, Executive Assistant—Business Services; Dana Mayfield, Human
statehouse event Resources Coordinator; Briana McKay, Manager of Administrative Services—
Governance; Patricia Collins Murdock, Assistant Executive Director—Field;
20 Political Action
Patty Nyquist, Director of Education Policy Research and Member Advocacy;
Tina O’Donnell, Manager of Administrative Services—Operations; William
Baird, Elections & Conference Coordinator; Kristy Spires, Assistant Executive
The power and potential of our stories to stop the testing insanity Director—Business Services; Matt Cooper-Whitman, Assistant General
Counsel; David Williams, Director of Government Relations, Communications
Make your voices heard at OEA Member Lobby Days and Marketing; Bret Benack, Regional Director, Region A; Kristin Jaeck,
Regional Director, Region C; Cristina Muñoz-Nedrow,
18 Legislative Update Regional Director, Region B.
OEA Legislative Priorities for the 133rd General Assembly Ohio Schools Editorial Staff
Julie A. Newhall, Editor
23 Association
Kimberly A Tallarico, Graphic Designer
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a year: February, April, June, August, September, October, December by the
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Report of the OEA Secretary-Treasurer Address all advertising or editorial correspondence to Editor, Ohio Schools.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Ohio Schools, Ohio Education
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OEA Summer Academy—June 17-18 Periodicals paid at Columbus, OH.
27 Members in the Community
Buckeye Valley teacher’s initiative warms students’ heads and hearts
www.ohea.org
www.facebook.com/ohioea
www.twitter.com/ohioea
Power and
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
possibility
WE ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST OVER-
TESTING SO WE CAN FOCUS ON WHAT
MATTERS—CARING FOR OUR STUDENTS
AND INSPIRING A LOVE OF LEARNING.
Our work as educators begins Many students needed to retake Our students need a broad
all seven tests resulting in the loss of curriculum and rich learning
by meeting our students’ most nearly 22 hours of class. experiences that engage them and
basic needs to be healthy and One senior arrived late to avoid allow them to discover their strengths
safe, to know that they are the test, then refused to leave her and interests, but state policies
English class. Students in a carpentry have placed an over emphasis on
cared for and loved. program refused to miss trade standardized testing that has too
classes to take the tests. One student often led to a narrowing curriculum.
Our work continues by fostering
went home vomiting. A student who In recent years, parents, educators,
a love of learning—the joy of lost her home overnight begged students and policymakers have
discovery, sense of curiosity, not to take the test. And another pushed back resulting in reductions
confided he used drugs and alcohol in testing. But we must take further
creativity and imagination—that to destress. action to reduce the number of state-
happens when students read Johnson called her union. required tests to federal minimums.
books, perform music, creates Columbus EA and OEA leaders Less mandated testing frees up
listened to her concerns and went to time and resources, creates less
art, do experiments, or write work on a plan to fight back against pressure to teach to the test, and
stories. over-testing. allows educators to focus on what
On January 26, more than 100 matters—caring for our students and
But in Ohio, our efforts and our teachers met in Columbus to discuss inspiring a love of learning.
students’ learning are being the impact of testing in classrooms Our stories and the conversations
throughout the state. we have with parents, administrators,
undermined by the increased Ohio Revised Code 3301.0729 community leaders and legislators
demands and pressure of Time Spent on Assessments—passed about education policies and their
into law March 16, 2017—was impact make a difference.
testing. designed to limit time for student We are on a path to working with
O
EA member Courtney testing to just two percent of the legislators and other leaders toward
Johnson, school librarian at total school year. Yet nearly two change that will ease the burden of
Fort Hayes Arts and Academic years later, the measure remains over testing for our students and our
High School in Columbus, spent three unenforced and fails to address to schools. This is just the beginning.
weeks administering nearly 900 AIR underlying issue of over testing.
retakes last fall. Ohio is one of only 11 states in the
Students had no access to school nation to require more tests of our
library resources or their librarian children than the federal government
during that time. The assessments mandates.
also tied up two school counselors We have the power to influence
and other educators needed as our state legislators to change this.
test administrators. Intervention One of the OEA’s Legislative
specialists had to serve all the non- Priorities for the 133rd General Becky Higgins
tested IEP students, so students with Assembly is the reduction of testing OEA President
IEPs could have extended time and requirements.
small groups.
2 OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019
NOTEBOOK
Across the nation, teachers take to the
streets to defend public education
A ccording to Labor Department data released in early
February, 533,000 American workers were involved in
strikes or work stoppages last year—more than at any point
“In the richest country in the world, the issue is not a
lack of money but a lack of political will. If neither political
party is capable of leading on reinvestment, teachers and
since 1986. parents and students will continue taking to the streets to
In 2018, the two largest labor actions were statewide defend the essential civic institution of public education.”
teacher strikes in Arizona and Oklahoma. Major statewide The three-day strike in Denver resulted in a contract
educational work stoppages also occurred in West Virginia, that provides an additional $23.1 million toward teacher
Kentucky, Colorado and North Carolina. compensation, gives average raises of 11.7 percent next
Teachers are continuing to stand up for public education year, and establishes a new, 20-step salary schedule that
this year. In January, 33,000 educators in Los Angeles went starts at $45,800 a year and tops out at $100,000 annually for
on strike—the first in 30 years. On February 11, Denver teachers with 20 years of experience and a doctorate.
teachers went on strike for the first time in 25 years.
According to Alex Caputo-Pearl, president of United Our strike and our unity on the picket lines
Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), the Los Angeles teachers resulted in tremendous contract and policy
strike resulted in a new contract that, in addition to a 6
percent pay increase, brings reductions in class size; more victories. The strike made us stronger as
nurses, counselors and librarians; and less standardized a union for future struggles, connected
testing. The contract also includes a mayoral and district
endorsement of a state school funding measure called us with parents in ways we have never
Schools and Communities First; a district call for a
moratorium on charters; a reduction of searches that
seen before, and fundamentally shifted the
criminalize students; and an immigrant defense fund. narrative on public education in the US..
“Parents and students supported the teachers in the Los
Angeles strike because they wanted to win on matters such ALEX CAPUTO-PEARL,
PRESIDENT OF UNITED TEACHERS LOS ANGELES (UTLA)
as class size, but they also supported the strike because it
articulated some basic truths: Students aren’t getting what
they need,” said UTLA’s Caputo-Pearl.
OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019 3
photo Josh Kob, Fresno CTA
An educator and son are captured at the UTLA rally at LA City Hall on January 22. Photo by Josh Kob, Fresno CTA.
“This is a victory for Denver kids and their parents accepted by the union in health care and other areas. Under
and our teachers,” said Rob Gould, lead negotiator for the deal, faculty union members can be furloughed for one
the Denver Classroom Teachers Association. “Educators day per semester and workload and layoff language will
in Denver Public Schools now have a fair, predictable, remain the same.
transparent salary schedule. We’re happy to get back to “When the administration/Board imposed an incredibly
work.” unreasonable contract on January 4, their objective was
On February 20, teachers in Oakland, California, went the same as it has been for nearly two years: to break our
on strike, and teacher protests are planned in the state union,” AAUP-WSU leaders wrote on the union’s Facebook
capitals of Maryland and Texas. page. “They failed! By standing together and going on
In Ohio, members of the Wright State chapter of the strike, we have reversed much of the worst in the imposed
American Association of University Professors (AAUP- contract and, in particular, have retained our right to
WSU) were back in the classroom February 11 after bargain over health care.”
reaching a tentative deal with the administration to end a In Northeast Ohio, teachers and intervention specialists
20-day strike thought to be the longest faculty union strike at Summit Academy in Parma authorized a strike in a vote
in the state’s history. February 1 after management refused to improve teaching
The nearly five-year deal will extend through June 30, and learning conditions.
2023. As part of the contract, the AAUP-WSU’s 560 or so Summit Academy in Parma is only the third charter
members will join a university-wide health care plan. school in the nation to authorize a strike.
“There’s very strong language in the contract now,” According to the Ohio Federation of Teachers
said AAUP-WSU president Martin Kich. “No fact-finder which represents the educators, the Summit Academy
is going to be able to look at it and say: ‘they gave up their Community School teacher union has been negotiating
right to bargain over health care.’” its first contract to improve teaching and learning at the
AAUP-WSU members will also receive a 2.5 percent charter school, which caters to students with special needs,
raise in 2022 and a 2.5 percent raise in 2023. But the raises for nearly a year. Currently there are 24 teachers serving
will not necessarily make up for financial concessions roughly 200 students.
4 OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019
EXTRA CREDIT Comic strip created by OEA member Chris Pearce (Middletown TA). For more of Pearce’s work, visit Teachable Moments at https://chrispearce.wordpress.com.
First Annual OEA Educational Foundation Fundraiser
Heartland Jamboree
May 10, 2019
Marriott Columbus University Area
3100 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43202
The mission of the OEA Foundation is to design, develop, promote, and implement public education programs and materials
intended to educate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education professionals in the State of Ohio.
The OEA Educational Foundation’s first annual fundraising event will be held on May 10th at the Marriott
Columbus University Area from 6-11 p.m. Join fellow OEA and community members for delicious food, live
music, both silent and live auctions, dancing and much more. Dress is festive Western attire.
ALL CONTRIBUTIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS OF MONEY AND DONATIONS TO AUCTION
ARE DEEMED CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR IRS PURPOSES. THE OEA
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION IS A 501(c)3 Organization.
SCHEDULE 6pm-7pm Happy Hour (cash bar) with light appetizers, silent auction bidding
7pm-8pm Dinner, silent auction bidding continues
8pm-9pm Live auction, student performances, grant recipients
9pm-11pm Dancing
TICKET COST $
25.00 per person
SPONSORSHIPS
CARDINAL SPONSOR—OVERALL EVENT SPONSOR—$5,000
(10 tickets, name recognition in program and on table sign, as well as in Ohio Schools magazine and in OEA’s digital media)
BUCKEYE SPONSOR $1,000
(4 tickets, name recognition in program and on table sign, as well as in Ohio Schools magazine and in OEA’s digital media)
CARNATION SPONSOR $500
(2 tickets, name recognition in program and on table sign, as well as in Ohio Schools magazine and in OEA’s digital media)
TICKETS Tickets will be available beginning March 1 via a link on the OEA website and social media pages.
This inaugural event supports the Foundation’s mission. Proceeds benefit the following OEA Educational Foundation grants to OEA members and
locals, Diversity Grant, Whisper Fund, Innovation Grant, and Make-A-Wish. Detailed information on these grants is available on the OEA website,
https://www.ohea.org/oea_foundation.
MAKING THE GRADE
Chardon student’s
wish creates
world-class space
for vocal music
I
n 2012, a tragic school shooting “You see Disney wishes a lot. You she’s had. We are certainly deeply
took place at Chardon High School see shopping sprees a lot. But you honored by the fact that she wanted to
in northeast Ohio. Three students don’t see give-back wishes quite often pay it forward.”
were killed when a 17-year-old at all. It’s very, very rare,” she said. “It When the results of her wish were
student from a nearby school opened takes someone special to make that unveiled for family, friends and fellow
fire in the school cafeteria. decision.” members of the Chardon Chamber
This January, Chardon High School Lessick worked closely with Choir, Lessick joined in trying the
was back in the news—this time for a Chardon Choir Director and OEA new piano and acoustics with fellow
heartwarming surprise. member Fritz Streiff on the renovation choristers.
Since being diagnosed with a that included a new piano to replace “I hope it makes our music program
malignant brain tumor in 2016, one that wouldn’t stay in tune, more attractive,” Lessick said. “I hope
Chardon senior Katy Lessick, acoustical tiles to enhance sound, it makes people say, that’s a cool place
a dedicated student musician gray and scarlet décor, new posture- to be. Let me see if that’s right for me.
and vocalist, has been treated at enhancing chairs and risers. Oh wow, this is really great! Let’s keep
Nationwide Children’s Hospital in “He’s taught me how to be a it up—let’s make this program the best
Columbus where she often played singer,” Lessick said of Streiff, who that it can be.”
Mozart on a practice piano in her room. has been her music teacher since sixth To make the wish reveal even
When the Ohio, Kentucky and grade. “He’s shown me my favorite more special, Chardon teachers also
Indiana chapter of Make-A-Wish, artists and he inspires me to be better.” surprised Lessick with voice lessons,
offered to grant a wish to Lessick, she Lessick hopes to continue singing music books, a baton, a keyboard and
decided to do something to improve when she attends college and would other gifts.
her school and help future students like to direct a chorus and compose her Make-A-Wish® creates life-
for years to come—she asked the own music. changing wishes for children with
foundation to transform her school’s “I want to be as good a director as critical illnesses. Research shows
choir room into a world-class teaching, him one day—that’s my goal, to be a children who have wishes granted
learning and performance space. Mr. Streiff,” she said. can build the physical and emotional
Isabella Marini, Make-A-Wish Of his student, Streiff said, “She is strength they need to fight a critical
program associate, who coordinated an amazing individual, and it doesn’t illness. The OEA Educational
the six-month improvement project, surprise me she would do something Foundation will support this work
said she was surprised when she heard like this—she wants to make as much through its make a wish grant.
Lessick’s wish. joy as she can out of all the sadnessCrestwood EA partners with
local businesses to help families
affected by government shutdown
F or 35 days, 800,000 federal
workers, most of whom are
union members and federally barred
do to help those in need. Fellow
teachers and union members
agreed they should help and began
in Streetsboro. Families received
the food free of charge, with the
union paying a reduced fee for each
from going on strike, were without brainstorming. coupon distributed.
pay. “We started talking about hosting Crestwood EA members
The partial government a spaghetti dinner or something like promoted the effort throughout the
shutdown left thousands of parents that, but one of the other teachers community and on social media.
struggling to make tough choices said, ‘I don’t think people will feel Crestwood Superintendent David
to keep their families afloat. It comfortable going for free food,’” Toth also notified families about the
also affected tens of thousands of Marfy said. Someone else suggested opportunity by email and telephone.
federal contractors and countless that we should find a more discreet The union initially budgeted
others who rely on business from way for people to receive food. $500 to help about 75 families but
government employees most of Working with local businesses, was prepared to increase the budget
whom will not receive back pay. Crestwood EA created a plan to depending on community need.
After seeing news reports that make it possible for Crestwood During the shutdown that ended
businesses were offering free students with a family member January 25, the efforts of Crestwood
services to federal workers impacted working for the federal government EA members offered an unplanned
by the government shutdown, to pick up a coupon providing either lesson for students.
Eighth-grade social studies 2 pounds of ground meat from “It’s modeling at its best,” said
teacher Kim Marfy (Crestwood K&K Meat Shoppe in Mantua, pizza Marfy. “We’re supposed to model for
EA) wondered what she and her from Gionino’s Pizzeria in Hiram, our kids and that’s what they have
colleagues and students could or a pizza from Blasiole’s Pizza seen—all of us stepping up.”photos by Julie Newhall
Educators and students
honor Public Education Week
in Ohio at statehouse event
Educators and students celebrated public education at the Ohio Statehouse
on January 24, showing their appreciation for Ohio’s public schools through
dance, music, poetry, art, sign language and video.
T
he second annual Celebrate Public Education alternative public-school choice in their respective
ceremony, hosted by Public Education Partners, public schools’ districts.
offered inspiring academic and artistic student At Wickliffe Progressive Elementary, art teacher
performances that honored Public Education Week Lindsay Bennett has led an innovative project in
in Ohio and demonstrated the need to provide the which a love of art connects fourth-grade students
resources, supports and services to ensure that all and adults with Alzheimer’s disease. The community
students come to school healthy and ready to learn outreach project was shared through a slide show
and grow each day. and student reflections on the indelible impact of this
East Cleveland’s award-winning Mighty Shaw shared experience.
High School Marching Band, directed by Donshon English students from Fort Hayes High School’s
Wilson, and a talented guitar, trumpet and ukulele Poetry Slam Team held the audience spellbound while
trio from Columbus’s Fort Haye’s High School they “slammed down” some deeply introspective,
demonstrated the importance of arts education original poetry. The students were joined by English
through music, song and dance. teacher and Poetry Slam advisor Nancy De Leon and
First-grade hearing-impaired children supported librarian Courtney Johnson.
by expert deaf educators in an inclusion setting Original student-produced videos created for
with their first-grade “hearing” friends from Huy a statewide contest sponsored by the Ohio School
Elementary in Columbus shared their words about Boards Association, proved “Standing Up for Public
learning together in their school. Teachers Britt Education” isn’t more than a powerful slogan. Award
Mickley and Jeff Bernardi spoke of the benefits of this winning video teams from Boardman (Media Director
collaborative learning. Chris Clones), Upper Sandusky (multimedia teacher
Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School in Upper Shelly Simon) and Hoover High (media teachers Tom
Arlington and Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Wilson, Tim McCarty) schools shared compelling work
Center in Columbus offer an arts/academic integrated about how their public schools have inspired them
10 OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019and made a difference in their Russo, Lisa Sobecki, Juanita
lives. The award-winning videos Brent, and Beth Liston, and Ohio
are available at Senators Teresa Fedor, Michael
www.ohioschoolboards.org/ Rulli (represented by his aide),
osba-student-video-contest. and Kenny Yuko presented
An expert school resource the Public Education Week
team from Cincinnati’s proclamation.
Community Learning Centers “What we have witnessed
shared a visionary model for together during CELEBRATE
helping students and families in PUBLIC EDUCATION proves
economic distress and trauma that state takeovers of Ohio’s
recovery by offering health public school districts are not
services, counseling, after- the solution to educating our
school programs, nutrition struggling children who live
classes, parent and family in poverty and trauma,” said
engagement programs, career Maureen Reedy, Public Education
and college access services, Partners board member.
youth development activities, Public Education Partners
mentoring, arts programming invites Ohio’s legislature and
and more in each public school. Governor DeWine to come
Nearly 20 years since its together on common ground for
inception, Community Learning Ohio’s children by reinvesting in
Center model has over 750 Ohio’s Public Schools.
partnerships with community “Passing and funding
businesses and organizations legislation to support Ohio’s
that share resources, staff and Public Schools in embracing
support to help students and wrap-around models to help
families face challenges that are connect children and families
barriers to students’ learning, in poverty and trauma recovery
growing and building healthy, with community resources on
happy and successful lives. site will finally address the real
During the celebration, Ohio root of the achievement gap in
House Representatives David our public schools,” said Reedy.
Leland, Mary Lightbody, Allison
11COVER STORY
2.
The idea for the mobile book center originated in
2012, when Library Media Specialists Amy Price and
Tricia Roddy initiated a summer outreach program for
Sharonville students. They recognized that although
the area had a great public library, the Cincinnati Public
Library, its location made it inaccessible for students
who lacked transportation to visit during the summer.
“We were talking one evening about the need for
an inclusive program for our district and agreed that a
book mobile would fulfill the need we had to get books
into our communities,” Price said.
“We ask kids to come to us for nine months of the
1. year,” she said. “We decided we needed to go to our
kids during the summer.”
Driving literacy
Books were available at the school and not being
used when school wasn’t in session and they knew
there were students who could benefit from extra
support, said Roddy, now the district’s Director of
PRINCETON EDUCATORS LEAD STUDENT Communications.
“Sharonville has a high English Language
SUCCESS WITH MOBILE BOOK CENTER Learner population and we wanted to offer guided
opportunities and support year-round,” Roddy said.
On a sunlit February morning, Ronda Drapeau’s first-grade Joined by a dozen or so Sharonville Elementary
class boards the Princeton City Schools Mobile Book Center colleagues, Price and Roddy loaded crates of books into
for the first time. For the eager young readers at Sharonville cars and set out to visit surrounding neighborhoods.
Elementary School, the mobile library is a wonderland of The program started small—focusing on one or two
possibility. apartment complexes—but quickly grew as the teachers
Inside the brightly painted bus, bookshelves lined with colorful recognized that the need for such a program was great
books and cozy reading nooks invite students to find a favorite and the response from the kids was so positive.
and settle in. During those early stops, teachers and other
volunteers would spread blankets on the ground, sit
The result of educator-led efforts to instill a lifelong love of under the trees, play educational games, and read books
reading, the Princeton Mobile Book Center (PMBC) brings with students.
literacy to students and the community at events throughout the The visits helped teachers to close developmental
school year and through regular stops in local neighborhoods and achievement gaps, ensured that students were
during summer months. becoming strong readers, and offered easy access to
technology and materials. The summer stops also
F
or Sharonville’s educators, fostering literacy at an early built a foundation of increased student and parent
age is essential in a highly diverse school in which more engagement, and positive teacher, district, and
than one third of students are English Language Learners community relationships.
and more than 22 languages are spoken. At one of the first stops, an entire family came and
“We take kids where they are—as a student, as a learner, spent time sitting on a blanket reading.
as a reader—and we accept the challenge of caring for them “That day, those kids were completely engaged
and giving them every opportunity to succeed,” Principal Kasi with their parents as they read together,” Price said.
Jordan said. “Offering opportunities for these connections for our
“The true payoff of Princeton’s Mobile Book Center is the kids and their families is so important.”
‘wow’ we see in our students,” Jordan said. “Kids experience On February 2, 2017, Roddy stood in front of a bus
the joy and fun of reading. And it offers them an escape into that First Student, Inc. had just donated to Princeton
stories and imagination that inspires them to grow as learners City Schools in honor of Superintendent
and readers.”
12 OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 20194.
5. 6.
3.
1. District Library Media Specialist Amy Price helps Sharonville students’ select books to take home.
2. A’Mya Ford finds a comfortable seat to read on the bus.
3. Tricia Roddy, Director of Communication, greets Nora Webbink, a frequent visitor to the Mobile Book Center
4. Students look for non-fiction books to borrow for an unlimited time from the PMBC.
5. Second grade teacher Jenny Powers helps students Kany Diouf, Hannah Scott, and Bakari Jones-Heard find books to read.
6. Student Addison Marksbury is happy to check out Anansi The Spider.
Dr. Thomas S. Woods-Tucker who had been named “We lean on the hard work of teaching staff at all levels,
National Superintendent of the Year in 2016. paraprofessionals, maintenance staff, and administrators,”
Earlier that morning, she had learned about the Price said. Our staff, our principals, Superintendent Tom
Scripps Family Literacy Grant, an early literacy grant Burton, our community, and corporate volunteers and
available from a partnership including the Scripps Howard partners have been so supportive. Our program wouldn’t
Foundation, WCPO 9 On Your Side, Greater Cincinnati be the same without their belief and passion.”
Foundation, and the Duke Energy Foundation. The grant During a typical stop, visitors to the PMBC participate in
was a perfect fit for the Princeton educators’ mission to story time and one-on-one reading time, play educational
create equity across the district through focusing on early games, have summer workbook checks, enjoy snacks, use
literacy, eliminating summer slide, and making sure kids Virtual Reality Readers, and, of course, check out books.
had access to books year-round. For Price and Roddy, making sure students have
Price and Roddy wrote a grant proposal right away. exposure to printed books is an important part of the PMBC
In mid-April, they received word that they had been program.
successful. Two months later, with $100,000 in funding, “Our bookmobile helps underscore the importance of
a vehicle, materials, staff, and volunteers, Princeton’s the school library.” Price said. “It’s a safe, welcoming place
“Driving Literacy Home” program was up and running. for all that creates a positive feeling toward books and sets
Using materials donated by corporate partners, the tone for a child’s desire to learn and read.”
Princeton’s maintenance staff transformed the bus Roddy, who has fond memories of the bookmobile she
into a bookmobile—removing interior seats, building visited as a child, wants Princeton students to have the
bookshelves, reading areas and storage spaces, and same experience. To that end, there is no time limit for how
installing lighting and wireless technology. The exterior long a student can keep a book. “We’d rather lose a book
became a vivid mural with trees, books, a school mascot, than a reader,” Roddy said.
and even Otis, a well-known book character created by Interactions with teacher volunteers—who play reading
author and illustrator Loren Long. games, read aloud using different voices and emotions,
The Princeton City Schools Thomas S. Woods-Tucker, ask questions about the text, book-talk diverse literature,
Ph.D. Mobile Book Center made 13 stops five days a week and act out scenes from stories—help improve students’
during that summer. Because work continued on the enjoyment of books, increase their reading skills, and model
bookmobile, volunteers were ready with boxes of books in reading activities for parents.
the trunks of their cars so that stops wouldn’t be missed. “Modeling best practices to vulnerable populations of
As it makes its way to area recreation centers, apartment English Learner families and families in poverty, we have
complexes, elementary schools, shopping centers, improved literacy skills and school-readiness,” Roddy said.
community events, and festivals, the PMBC relies on a More than 2,500 kids visited the mobile book center in
dedicated group that includes two program managers, two 2017. Students in one first grade class retained 73 percent of
daily operations specialists, and a bus driver. their collective reading knowledge after using the mobile
OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019 13book center for a summer, a retention rate 50 percent higher
than that of most other first grade classes scored an average
of 23 percent retention.
“You can’t quantify the power of Princeton teachers
coming to our kids’ neighborhoods,” said Price. “Our
program gives students and teachers an opportunity to
work together, laugh together, learn together, do summer
reading and workbook exercises together, play educational
games together—It’s building community for us which is
really important.
“We can measure test scores, but it’s the connection with
our kids and families that matters. It’s showing them that
we care about them and that we will come to them.”
Roddy agreed, saying that the most important part of the
program is fostering positive relationships and cultivating
confidence in parents as educational partners.
“How has the experience changed their ideas of what
they can do, of what is possible? Roddy said. “Where will
this take them?”
Since June 2017, 11,014 visitors have borrowed 18,635
books, with 11,548 books returned.
Through its Mobile Book Center, Princeton Schools have
also offered 126 outreach opportunities with Virtual Reality
Readers, reaching 4,438 students.
Working in partnership with Princeton Board of
Education Member Susan Wyder (a retired Princeton
teacher), local churches, Southwest Charities Partnerships,
Coach Tish Jones, and other organizations, the Mobile Book Center has
checks out the books of delivered much-needed clothing, food, and other resources
two students who found to the community it serves.
identical titles to borrow. Price and Roddy are at work completing applications for
The students planned to
grant funding that would allow the district to focus more
read the books together.
on early childhood and literacy and to add a van that could
make additional stops to support the Mobile Book Center.
In the future, the district would like to offer “lobby stops”
at local groceries and retailers, support new opportunities
for learning at after-school tutoring sessions, and have the
capacity to deliver additional necessities to area families.
As they prepare to expand their program, Price and
Roddy recall a stop that underscores the importance of
Princeton’s efforts.
During a visit last summer, PMBC volunteers met a mom
and her family of three young children who had just moved
into a mobile home across the street.
“They had nothing and were in need of any assistance
they could get,” Price said. “We were able to connect her
with Princeton resources to make sure her family was
established in a new community.”
“We literally showed up at her doorstep, and that’s what
this work is about—reaching out, and making sure kids and
families know we’re here for them,” Roddy said.
“It’s amazing when you pull up in the community¬—
even on a day we are not scheduled to be there but show up
to give out clothing or meals—and the kids come running
with their books, ready to return them and get new ones,”
she said. “It doesn’t matter why we are there, they know us
and trust us, and it’s built great relationships.”
Sharonville
Principal
Kasi Jordan If you’d like to donate books or volunteer, contact
and Princeton Amy Price at aprice@vikingmail.org, or Tricia Roddy at
Superintendent troddy@vikingmail.org.
Tom Burton visit with
students in the Princeton
Mobile Book Center.photo by Toi Amon
OEA members focus on using power to create
change at 2019 Advocacy and Organizing Institute
S
everal hundred OEA skills, and addressed the importance their children.
members gathered in of organizing and engaging members “We have a hand in shaping that
Columbus February 7-9 so that the OEA is in a better position environment when we succeed in
to participate in a 2019 to withstand challenges now and in ensuring that our schools have safe
Advocacy and Organizing Institute the future. and nurturing classrooms in which
(AOI) that focused on the value In her welcoming remarks, OEA our students can learn and prosper.”
of union membership and the President Becky Higgins stressed the The 2019 AOI provided
importance of collective voice. importance of being well-organized presentations on a variety of
Understanding the way in which and well-prepared for the challenges important topics, including
collective bargaining can make a educators and union members face Advocating for the Common
difference for OEA members and for as OEA redoubles its efforts to work Good, Alternatives for Traditional
the students they serve and having with friends on both sides of the aisle Bargaining, Community
the necessary bargaining knowledge in the legislature as well as the new Engagement—How to Make
and skill to ensure educators’ voices administration. Your Union Known Where You
are heard and contribute to the “When we advocate effectively, we Live, Cultivating Community: An
continuous improvement of public are not only serving the interests of Introduction to Restorative Practices,
education, is critical. our members and our students, but How the Role of the Association is
Training for local leaders and also the communities in which we Evolving, LGBTQ and Collective
bargaining team members at the live and work,” Higgins said. “Strong Bargaining, Outside the Box: Ideas
2019 AOI offered an opportunity to public schools are the cornerstone of a and Strategies for a 21st Century
learn the fundamentals of collective healthy, vibrant community in which Union Movement, Resparking Your
bargaining, refine existing bargaining people want to buy homes and raise ESP Local, The State of Ohio Schools,
OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019 151. 2.
3. 4.
OTES Change is Now!, Overcoming parties, to the spread of grassroots power truly is, how it flows, who
Challenges and Obstacles Women movements like Black Lives Matter has it, and how you can claim and
Face as They Rise to Leadership in the and $15 Now, people across the exercise it?”
Union, and more. country— and across the political Liu, who has spent a career
Eric Liu, founder and CEO of spectrum—are reclaiming power.” practicing and teaching civic power,
Citizen University and executive Though ideologically very diverse, spoke about the answers to these
director of the Aspen Institute Liu said, all are, in his view, part of questions as he outlined his definition
Citizenship and American Identity the same phenomenon. of power.
Program, joined OEA members for “All of these are everyday Power, Liu said, “is the capacity to
a conversation on citizenship and Americans who are not professionals, ensure that others do as you would
civic responsibility. Liu is a former who are not politically connected, want them to do. If that sounds
speechwriter for President Bill who didn’t have permission to menacing or distasteful, or makes you
Clinton, and the author of several organize, having essentially decided feel squeamish, I understand. And I
best-selling books. His latest is they’re mad as hell and not going to invite you to get over it.”
“You’re More Powerful Than You take it anymore,” he said. “They’re Liu argued that instead of
Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making ideologically divergent, but the worrying that the possession of power
Change Happen.” fact of their underlying similarities or use of it makes you a bad person,
“We are in an age of epic political provides evidence that this movement that power is something we all have
turbulence in America,” Liu told of bottom-up people power is the and need to use.
OEA members. “Old hierarchies and dominant fact of our time.” Offering examples from both the
institutions are collapsing. From He asked attendees: “Are you left and the right, and from both past
the election of Donald Trump, to ready for this age of bottom-up citizen and present, Liu shared the laws of
the upending of the major political power? Do you understand what power, and showed OEA members
165. 6.
photos by Shellee Fisher
Photo page 15: Keynote speaker Eric Liu shared insights on power and how to use
power to create change.
1. OEA Labor Relations Consultant Randie Cosby worked with member Julie Garcia
(Lorain EA) in a session on Local Constitution and Bylaws.
2. Attendees participated in a session on LGBTQ issues and collective bargaining.
3. Cheryl Williams (Dublin SA) and Kelly Modich (Westerville EA)
4. Larry Carey (Columbus EA) and Chris Williams (Columbus EA)
5. Cindy Ladig (Northeastern Local A of SE), OEA Labor Relations Consultant Amy
Yevincy, and Gabe Weatherspoon (Maysville EA)
6. OEA members learn about the traditional bargaining process at the 2019 AOI.
7. Dan Heintz (Chardon EA)
7. 8. Lisa Johnson (Columbus EA)
that they can generate the power needed to create the change wanted.
According to Liu, there are three laws of power.
“Number 1: that power concentrates,” Liu said. “Number 2: that power is always
justifying itself, with explanations of why the people who are in power ought to be
in power.
“If we just had those two laws, we’d be stuck in a pretty grim doom loop. But
what saves us is law Number 3, which is that power is infinite.”
In civic life, Liu explained, it is possible to generate power where it did not exist
before simply by organizing.
“This is obvious to people involved in grassroots politics, but it is completely not
obvious to tens of millions of bystanders of American democratic life who have been
observing and spectating but have never stepped onto the field themselves. The
current allocation of power is not fixed or finite.
“If you learn how to organize your neighbors, give a great public speech, use
social media, develop memes to stir up interest in a cause, you haven’t diminished at
all my ability to do those things. All you’ve done is you’ve added to the net amount
of power in civic life. One of the things we’ve got to do in this moment is restore
some fundamental faith that it’s possible for us in twos and threes, by starting clubs
8. and organizing, to begin to heal the body politic.”
172019
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
OEA Legislative Priorities for the
133rd General Assembly
Support Ohio’s students through a school funding such as the K-3 Literacy component, and move away from
formula that works arbitrary letter grades that are biased against students in
OEA believes Ohio must make substantial changes to high-poverty schools.
the state funding formula to ensure that every student has Reduce testing requirements
the resources needed to succeed regardless of where they Our students need a broad curriculum and rich learning
live or their family’s income. The school funding formula experiences that engage them and allow them to discover
should meet the needs of the whole child and provide their strengths and interests. However, state policies have
stable and predictable funding for school districts. placed an over emphasis on standardized testing that has
Additionally, Ohio’s school funding formula should be too often led to a narrowing curriculum. In recent years,
designed to provide direct per-pupil charter funding in a parents, educators, students and policy makers have
way that is fair to both school districts and charters, as well pushed back and this has resulted in testing reductions.
as local taxpayers. OEA supports further action to reduce the number of state
Repeal state takeovers and replace with “wrap-around” required tests to the federal minimums. Simply put, less
student support services time spent on testing means more time for teaching and
Ohio’s big government state takeover law violates learning.
every principle of local control. It eliminates oversight by Protect the voice of educators — support public
democratically elected school boards, terminates authority employee unions and collective bargaining rights
of local superintendents and silences teachers by taking Educators join together in unions to more effectively
away collective bargaining rights. Further, these takeovers communicate the needs and challenges that exist in local
are based on misleading state report cards that severely classrooms and school buildings. Effective unions improve
penalize students in poverty. the working conditions of educators and the learning
Revamp state report cards conditions of their students.
Ohio’s state report cards are confusing and misleading Enact graduation requirements that do not rely on
for parents, educators and policy makers. A revamp is high-stakes testing
needed to make report cards transparent, meaningful and This spring, the Ohio Board of Education is to present to
understandable. Ohio should eliminate indicators based the General Assembly a long-term proposal for graduation
on counter-intuitive methodologies that are deceptive, requirements that reduces reliance on state testing,
18 OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 20199
encourages local innovation, and supports Expand early childhood and
student readiness for a career, college and pre-kindergarten education
life. OEA supports these goals and urges Students should have access to
the adoption of high school graduation research-based, developmentally
requirements that allow students to appropriate, high-quality, publicly-
demonstrate what they have learned funded, pre-kindergarten programs. These
without relying solely on high-stakes opportunities help to address inequities
testing. in community resources before children
Protect the safety of Ohio’s students begin kindergarten and help ensure all
students start school ready to learn. Such
Every student deserves to learn in a
opportunities are shown to shrink the
safe and nurturing environment. OEA
achievement gap.
supports a multi-pronged approach
to improve school safety and believes End the expansion of private school
Ohio should invest in research-based voucher programs
approaches to school safety. This begins OEA is opposed to the expansion
with proper investment in school of current voucher programs or the
personnel who provide mental and creation of new ones. Taxpayer funded
behavioral diagnostic and counseling vouchers pay private school tuition for
services, such as counselors, social selected students. Approximately 90% of
workers, school psychologists and nurses. Ohio’s students attend public school. The
Additionally, OEA calls for resources and expansion of voucher programs would
training on threat assessment, trauma- drain resources from students in public
informed interventions and creating schools. Further, private schools do not
positive relationships between adults and have to accept all students and there is no
students. compelling evidence of improved student
performance in Ohio’s current voucher
programs.
FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE
of Public Education
OEA members have a long tradition of effective activism at the local, state and national levels. It starts with understanding
that the laws and policies affecting public education are created, written, debated and passed by people we elect.
Whether it’s rallying crowds, coming to Columbus for face time with legislators, or connecting with them through mail,
phone calls, emails and Facebook, our member-activists make the case for issues that matter to educators,
students and public schools.
By making contributions to the OEA/NEA Fund for Children and Public Education (FCPE) OEA members ensure that public-
education friendly elected officials, regardless of political party, are supported. This means that FCPE helps OEA reduce the
time spent on standardized testing and increase our students’ opportunities to learn, hold failing charter schools accountable,
and ensure that every student—regardless of zip code—has an opportunity to receive a high quality public education.
There are so many ways you can get involved—help make our collective voice stronger!
n Learn more about issues being debated in the Ohio General Assembly and U.S. Congress that affect you and
your profession.
n Attend an OEA Member Lobby Day.
n Make a contribution to the OEA/NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. Visit www.ohea.org/donate/.
OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019 19POLITICAL ACTION
l o f o u r
p o t e n tia ity
r a n d i n s a n
h e p o we t e s t i n g
T s t o p the
t o r i e s to
s
A teacher walks into a bar. No, this is not the beginning of a joke, or the beginning of a commentary on
the challenges of public education driving teachers to drink (well, not really). It’s the beginning of
a testing story. I was the teacher, and it was a holiday weekend in my small town a few years ago.
I
felt a bit like Norm on Cheers when I walked in. “Miss My former students were happy to see their old teacher
Moffett!” the kids nearest the door yelled. (I hadn’t been Miss Moffett. But I’m afraid that now, if they see their
Miss Moffett for years, but just as these young adults children’s teacher Mrs. Holderbaum out at a bar, instead of
would always be “kids” to me, I would always be Miss offering to buy me a beer, they might throw one in my face.
Moffett to them). The lessons I teach now are not what I enjoy teaching
There were hugs and smiles, and a few offered to buy and they are not what their kids enjoy learning and frankly,
me a beer. As we caught up, the conversation turned to the it makes me sick.
days when they had been students in my class. They had And I’m not alone
lots of good memories. On January 26, over 100 Ohio public school teachers
(Fill in the upcoming blanks with fun and meaningful, met to share stories about how testing has impacted our
but time-consuming activities). classrooms.
“Do you remember when we ______?” There were stories of kids of all ages puking and crying
“Do you still do that activity where we _______?” on test days.
“Do you still teach _________?” There were stories of teachers basically “bird-boxing” as
My answer was always, and sadly, that I don’t do any of they helped students with technical issues during an AIR
those activities anymore. Why? Because I have slowly but test, so great was the fear of breaking security protocol by
surely allowed testing to dictate what and how I teach. looking at the actual test.
20 OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019There were stories of teachers considering leaving the We need them to hear that because of the tests, we are
profession because of the pressure of these high-stakes developing anxiety in our students instead of curiosity, fear
tests, and stories of teachers telling their own children that of failure instead of freedom to flourish.
they would not pay for their college education if they went We are turning out test-takers instead of lifelong
into teaching. learners. Instead of being trusted as college-educated
In one activity, we listed words that expressed our professionals who can factor in our students’ varying
feelings regarding the overabundance of testing and what it situations, challenges, strengths, and growth to determine
has done to our students and to us. Want to hear a few just whether or not they have succeeded at a level needed to
from the six people at my table? pass our classes, we are being treated as assembly-line
Sad. Anxious. Angry. Overwhelmed. Exhausted. workers who must produce a uniform product that meets
Defeated. the same standards as every other product in the factory
Is that how we want to feel about our jobs? Is that how in the exact same way. This system might work well when
we want our students to feel about school? producing products, but it’s no way to produce people.
Of course not. We have two choices. Keep feeling that Don’t be afraid of reaching out to your legislators
way while we continue to adapt to testing madness, or because you don’t consider yourself a political person. This
start pushing back and standing up for ourselves, our is not a political issue. Children of both Republicans and
profession, and our students, and saying ENOUGH. Democrats are negatively affected by the over-testing in
I’ve written about testing several times previously. Ohio.
After that encounter at the bar, I wrote an open letter to my Ohio is one of only 11 states in the nation to require
former students apologizing in advance for the experience more tests of our children than the federal government
their kids would have in my classroom now that testing mandates; it is our state legislators who have the power to
has taken over. I’ve written about the irrelevant and change that.
inappropriate test questions and the challenge of preparing And it is Ohio’s teachers who have the power to
my students to address those questions, and last spring, influence them to do so with our stories.
I wrote about the absolutely insane fact that computers,
not people, are now grading our children’s essay answers — JULIE HOLDERBAUM, ENGLISH INSTRUCTOR AND ACADEMIC
on the test. These pieces share my stories and voice my CHALLENGE ADVISOR, MINERVA HIGH SCHOOL.
feelings about the impact of testing on my classroom.
But we need more voices. We need a chorus of voices so
loud that we cannot be ignored. We need YOUR voice.
Share your story with other teachers; send your story
to OEA at webmaster@ohea.org to add to the discussion of
how real teachers and students are being adversely affected
by testing insanity.
There is power in sharing our stories with each other;
anyone who attended the meeting last weekend can attest
to that. But that power turns into potential to change the
situation when we share our stories with those outside the
profession. We need to saturate the internet and bombard
our legislators with our stories. We need our communities
and our leaders to know that we will no longer be complicit
by silently going along with the changes in education that
are hurtful to our students.
Write your stories, and share them on your social
media platforms, using the hashtags #OvertestedOH and
#RedForEd.
Then, write to your legislators, or better yet, visit them
in Columbus or lobby them when they are at home in-
district. Let them know how you feel, tell them how the
testing affects your students; share your stories.
We need our legislators to hear our chorus of voices. We
need them to hear what it’s like to have our careers and our More than 100 OEA members met in January to talk about
classrooms commandeered by the demands and pressure of the impact of testing.
the tests. We need them to hear that Ohio’s children, instead
of feeling excitement at the idea of going to school, are
feeling dread.
OHIO SCHOOLS FEBRUARY 2019 21You can also read
