- Retired
Volume 26, Number 2
February 2026
A publication of the North
Eastern Ohio Education
Association
OEA Fall Representative Assembly Report
by Karen Carney, NEOEA-R Chairperson
What do passionate educators do on a Saturday morning in
December in Columbus? They attend The Ohio Education
Association’s Fall Representative Assembly. When all was
said and done, 704 elected delegates filled Kasich Hall in
the Ohio Expo Center, with one goal in mind: to advocate
fiercely and tirelessly for Public Education. Having
attended numerous RA’s throughout my teaching career I am still moved by the
compassion and dedication of Ohio’s educators! This is my second RA representing
NEOEA-R…yes, even retired teachers continue their advocacy for our students and
educators!
6001 Landerhaven Drive, Suite D,
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124-4190
216-518-0200
retired @ neoea.org
NEOEA-R Organizing Committee
OEA is committed to a true partnership among federal, state and local governments in
the delivery of public educational services in the nation. The association is deeply
committed to the success of every student. Thus the core values of Democracy,
Collective Action, Fairness, Inclusion, Integrity and Professionalism are the
cornerstones of our advocacy. The RA is filled with reports, NBI’s (new business
items), action items and keynotes addressing the major concerns and successes in
education. The procedures and protocols used to conduct these RA’s is second to
none; allowing everyone involved to have a say in the legislative policies and practices.
It is literally quite an experience observing the participants discerning between the
yellow, white, red and green cards. The checks and balances are in place and
democracy in action is a beautiful thing to behold. There were numerous business and
action items brought forward, discussed and voted on-too numerous to list. The robust
conversations and the cheers and boos were heard loud and clear. Participants were
engaged and encouraged to speak their minds while maintaining a decorum of
professionalism. However, the thing that resonated with me as the biggest win is the
willingness of educators to continue the advocacy and fight for Public Education!
Karen Carney, Campbell EA-R;
Chairperson
Dennis Lewis, Parma EA-R; Vice Chair
Sherri Koncilja, Painesville City TA-R;
Secretary
Nancy Wonson, Lakewood TA-R; Past
Chair
Jené Wilson, ACCESS-R; NEOEA Liaison &
OEA-R NEOEA Representative
Debbie Bernauer, Brecksville-Broadview EA-R
Dave Ciborek, Twinsburg EA-R
Nanci DiBianca, Cuyahoga Hts AoT-R
Martha Dunford, Perry EA-R
Marti Franks, Twinsburg EA-R
Patricia Frost-Brooks, East Cleveland EA-R
Hank Haynes, ACCESS-R
Becky Higgins, Copley TA-R
Gary Hollow, Bristol Assn. School Emp.-R
Teri Mackey, Wadsworth EA-R
Adele Matias, Mayfield EA-R
One of the highlights of the RA was the keynote
delivered by NEA VP, Princess Moss. Her first
order of business was to shout out our NEA directors
and their visionary leadership! Princess came from
humble beginnings and was quick to point out that
all involved in public education are equally
important. Both her parents were school bus drivers
in West Virginia-the first point of contact for many
students every day. She values everyone in the
Deb Molnar, Clearview EA-R
Tom Moscovic, Willoughby-Eastlake TA-R
Sharon Seitz, Cuyahoga Hts. Assn. of T-R
André Taylor, Twinsburg EA-R
Pat Wagar, Mayfield EA-R
Valenta Ward-Gravely, East Cleveland EA-R
“Education Ecosystem.” As educators we must fight to keep that ecosystem moving
forward as we continue to advocate for Public Education!
“We are stronger together!”
MegaConference is Saturday, March 8
The 2026 Megaconference, will be presented by NEOEA’s
Environmental Concerns, ESP Organizing, Leadership Development, Legislative,
Minority Organizing, NEOEA-R Organizing, Personal Welfare and Financial
Planning, Public Relations, Professional Development, and Social and Human
Concerns Committees.
