She has helped OEA achieve the landmark school funding and education reform legislation of House Bill 1, signed into law in 2009. In 2010, Ohio received the prestigious Frank Newman Award for State Innovation from the Education Commission of the States for that legislative achievement. In addition, she has pushed for education funding through the American Re-investment and Recovery Act and strongly endorsed Ohio’s successful bid for $400 million in Race to the Top funding.

Under her leadership, OEA has worked to reauthorize and improve the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). OEA has worked with other organizations to elect members to the state retirement systems, and the state became a partner in the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Patricia represents the OEA on several NEA groups and committees, including the NEA Dropout Prevention Task Force, Collective Bargaining Professional Development, ESEA Advisory Committee, the Coalition for Public Education, the Transformational Dialogue for Public Education and Support Ohio Schools, a consulting and advisory group advocating for local school revenues. Additionally, she serves on the boards of the Ohio Appalachian Educator Institute, Education Voters and the Education Commission of the States. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Women.

Patricia has assisted, coordinated and worked with locals to close achievement gaps and to increase graduation rates. She has led the way to building strong effective partnerships and coalitions across the state. Patricia has also established ad hoc task forces to address the unique educational needs of members. One of her favorite causes is Read Across America, a national reading program for children, in which she visits schools around Ohio.

Under her leadership, the OEA adopted two priority goals: To preserve public funding and to preserve the economic security of members. These goals have focused the OEA’s work on numerous reform efforts. Patricia will continue to provide strategic leadership that keeps the Association and its members moving forward through empowerment and advocacy.

Patricia’s efforts on behalf of the OEA have strengthened the Association as Ohio’s largest professional union and as a leader in innovation in public education, including her participation in the NEA Foundation – Institute for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.

Bill has been a member of the OEA Board of Directors (formerly the Executive Committee) for 21 years, chairing various Strategic Planning workgroups. He also chairs the Healthcare & Pension Advocates for STRS, a coalition of employee, employer, and retired stakeholders that has worked collaboratively to ensure retiree health care and a secure pension for members of the system.

An English teacher for 24 years, Bill has served as a reader and consultant for the Advanced Placement Program of The College Board and as a member of the National School Reform Faculty for the Annenberg Institute for School Reform.

As your Vice President, I pledge to you the kind of leadership that you demand, and I know that we can accomplish our mission. We are all partners in building a better future for Ohio’s public schools, their employees, and our children. I will give my best effort to make sure that teachers, education support professionals, and all public employees are taken care of and that they are rewarded for dedicating their lives to the public good.
 

Tim Myers is in his first term as OEA Secretary-Treasurer. He is a classroom teacher with the Elida Local Schools, teaching Life, Earth and Computer Sciences since 1981. In 1980-81, he was a coach and teacher at Columbus Grove High School.

Tim served on the OEA Board of Directors as a Northwest Ohio Education Association representative for five years and for six years as an NEA Director. He served on the OEA Program and Budget Committee for eight years, including one year on the Personnel Committee and two years on Constitution and By-Laws. While on the NEA Board of Directors, Tim served two terms on the NEA Program and Budget Committee.

Tim represents Ohio’s current and retired educators on the State Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees and was Chair from July 2010 until September 2011. He is also currently Chair of the NEA’s Pension Trustees Caucus. Tim was re-elected to the STRS board in April of 2012. Tim is committed to finding a fair and equitable solution to the pension crisis.

Tim believes that OEA must step up its efforts to get local members involved in legislative issues for the improvement of education. Senate Bill 5/Issue 2 has shown us that we can stop the anti-public education legislation that is flowing into Ohio if we work together.

 

Wicks’ success attracted the notice of Wyoming Education Association which appointed him its executive director. In that role, he created new programs in member advocacy and increased political involvement by WEA members.

In 1987, Wicks returned to Minnesota as executive director of the Minnesota Education Association. In 1998, Wicks worked with leaders of MEA and Minnesota Federation of Teachers to create the nation’s first-ever merged state education union recognized by both national education organizations, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers.

The 70,000-member Education Minnesota became known as the state’s most politically potent force. During his 10 years with Education Minnesota, membership grew; the state association achieved financial stability; local associations became more self-sufficient; and hundreds of member activists participated in an award-winning professional development program.