Legislative Update

legislativeupdate

One of the facets of our mission is to passionately advocate for our members. In order to live this mission, the OAESA Executive Committee—Kesh Boodheshwar, President; Carrie Sanchez, President-Elect; Abbey Bolton, Past President; and Katie Nowak, NAESP Representative—along with NAESP Zone 3 Representative April Knight, joined OAESA Executive Director Dr. Becky Hornberger, OAESA Associate Executive Director Mark Jones, and OAESA Advocacy Specialist Barbara Shaner to attend the NAESP National Leaders Conference March 1-3 in Washington, DC. Nearly 200 elementary and middle-level administrators from across the country gathered in the nation’s capital to undergo leadership training and advocate for legislative and funding priorities on behalf of Ohio principals.

“Having an opportunity to speak to our legislators about the current state of education through the lens of the principalship was monumental and a once-in-a-lifetime event,” OAESA Past President Abbey Bolton said. The team at OAESA also had the opportunity to hear and get a selfie with US Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona.

“His words resonated with the 350 administrators from around the country,” Bolton said. “In that moment, we felt united, refreshed, and ready to fight for education—in our Capitol, in our State and in our Schools!”

The OAESA team worked collaboratively with the administrators from OASSA: “The collaboration amongst the Ohio teams to advocate for the needs of school leaders was second to none. Ohio has a profoundly strong team,” OAESA President-Elect Carrie Sanchez said.

Overall, the team left feeling positive about the experience.

“What a great experience to visit our Congressmen and their staffs on Capitol Hill. It was a good reminder that they really need to be able to put a local face with the issues they are voting on in Washington,” OAESA Advocacy Specialist Barbara Shaner said. “More than one legislative aide commented that they appreciated hearing from educators on the front lines.”

Want to learn more about how you can get involved on the OAESA Advocacy Service Team? Email info@oaesa.org to learn how you can get involved with this group!