OEA is pleased to celebrate, honor, and reward the outstanding work of our members, affiliates, and individuals who have made special contributions to the improvement of public education. Awards are presented at the OEA Awards Banquet during the weekend of the OEA Spring Representative Assembly. For an application or nomination form, use the links below or write to: Awards Committee, Ohio Education Association, P.O. Box 2550, Columbus, OH 43216.
- RETIREMENT BOARD TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
In the interest of supporting the best, most highly qualified OEA members in their preparation for election to Ohio’s retirement boards, the OEA is sponsoring a Retirement Systems Training Program. The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), the largest educational association serving the employee benefits and compensation industry, will conduct the training program.
To encourage participation in the Retirement Board Training Program, the OEA will offer scholarships for members interested in pursuing seats on the STRS, OPERS and SERS Boards. These scholarships will cover the cost of training sessions required to complete a Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy (CAPPP), as well as other related trainings and/or meetings. - JFK SCHOLARSHIP
The $4,000 John F. Kennedy Scholarship is presented each year to an OEA member who is a career teacher enrolled in a graduate-level program and in need of financial assistance. The applicant must be able to demonstrate a reasonable prediction of success in graduate work. - JEAN KERSHAW SCHOLARSHIP
The $2,000 Jean Kershaw Scholarship is presented each year to a student member currently enrolled in an undergraduate teacher education program in Ohio or a senior education student who has been formally accepted for graduate study in a master’s degree of education program at an accredited Ohio college or university. Applicants must be current members of the Ohio Student Education Association (OSEA) and the NEA-Student Program. Applicants must also be able to provide evidence of success in their teacher education program and of financial need. - MARILYN CROSS SCHOLARSHIP
The $4,000 Marilyn Cross Scholarship is presented to an OEA member and career teacher enrolled in a graduate-level program directly linked to his/ her current area of licensure, and must demonstrate a need of financial assistance and a reasonable prediction of success. - ESP AWARD
The Education Support Professional Award is presented each year to an OEA member whose activities reflect the contributions of education support professionals to public education. The recipient must have been a member of OEA for three years as of July 15 of the award year. Each OEA-affiliated ESP local association may nominate one of its members. The winner qualifies as the OEA nominee for NEA’s Education Support Professional Award. - OEA PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AWARDS
OEA recognizes individual members and local associations who have furthered the cause of peace and international understanding by presenting the OEA Peace and International Relations Awards, of which there are two: The Paul Swaddling Award and The Peace and International Understanding Award. - OEA FRIEND OF EDUCATION AWARD
The OEA Friend of Education Award recognizes a person and/or organization whose leadership, actions, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a statewide and/or national level. Any member may nominate an individual or organization to receive this award by submitting the name of the candidate to the office of the OEA President, along with rationale and evidence supporting the nomination. - MEDIA AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
The Media Award for Public Service recognizes an individual and/or organization for a major contribution to the better understanding of the problems, progress, and needs of public education, or for programming of an outstanding educational nature. A member or local organization may nominate a candidate for this award. - OEA BLUE RIBBON ASSOCIATION AWARD
The OEA Blue Ribbon Association Award recognizes a local OEA affiliate for its demonstration of innovative problem-solving techniques and/or unique public relations and communication skills. This award comes with a monetary award of $1,000.00. - FISCAL FITNESS AWARD
The Fiscal Fitness Award recognizes local associations that have in place best financial practices. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio demonstrating evidence of meeting all of the listed criteria. Treasurers who have previously received the award judge the portfolios against the published criteria. The Fiscal Fitness Award is presented to winning locals rather than to the treasurers of the locals. The award includes recognition as an OEA Fiscal Fitness Award winner at the May 2021 Representative Assembly and on the OEA website, a plaque or certificate suitable for framing, and a grant for the local association to be determined annually based upon the amount budgeted by OEA. This amount represents the added value a fiscally fit local adds to the OEA.
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