Top 10 Reasons to Belong to OEA

Throughout our more than 175-year history, OEA members have been involved in every struggle and effort to advance the finest of America’s dreams: a quality public education for every child. OEA currently represents more than 120,000 teachers, faculty members, and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children.

More About the OEA
OEA/NEA Member-Only Benefits
2022-2023 Member Resource Guide
Interested in belonging to the OEA? — Start Here

If you have additional questions, contact us at: 1-844-OEA-Info (1-844-632-4636) or send us an email to: membership@ohea.org.

It's Where You Belong

	#10 MEMBER BENEFITS Improve your buying power and save money with NEA’s Member Benefits program that offers extensive member-only benefits and discounts.
	#9 LIABILITY PROTECTION Because the liability potential can be so serious for individuals employed by schools and other educational units, your OEA provides all eligible members with professional liability insurance through the Educators Employment Liability (EEL) Program.
	#8 COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE As a member of your Association, you join forces with fellow educators to make a difference in the social justice issues that matter most to you. Your Association can provide training to members to develop new strategies to work to achieve equity in your schools.
	#7 ENHANCED RIGHTS A collective-bargaining agreement is an enforceable legal document that protects your rights. It contains a formal procedure for advancing grievances with the support of an expert (Labor Relations Consultant). Your Association will be there to offer guidance, advice, and, if necessary, legal representation.
	#6 POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR WORK SITE Your Association can work with the administration as a partner and collaborate with parents and community organizations to resolve issues in your school. As an educator who works with the children, you can work with the administration to solve problems together.
	#5 IMPROVED WORK SITE CONDITIONSYour Association empowers educators to advocate for smaller class size, less standardized testing, input into the curriculum, and safe buildings, just to name a few. These working conditions mean a better learning environment for your students.
	#4 NATIONWIDE COMMUNITY OF EDUCATORS When you are a member of your local Association, you are also a member of your OEA and the National Education Association (NEA). Your Association is your way to connect with like-minded colleagues across the district, state, and nation who are working to better students’ lives.
	#3 IMPROVED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Your Local helps you advocate for access to high-quality professional development and increased collaboration time so you can improve your practice. Your Association (and that means you and your co-workers!) can work with the administration to develop mentoring and other supports from more experienced colleagues.
	#2 INCREASED PAY & BENEFITS As part of your Association, you can advocate for professional pay, health care, and retirement security so a career in education is a viable profession.
	#1 VOICE AT THE TABLE There’s power in numbers. Belonging to your OEA and your local Association gives you greater influence over the decisions that affect your students, your classroom, and your career. Whether you advocate for changes at your work site, speak at school board meetings, advocate for increased school funding at the state and local level, or lobby your state legislators and city/county board members, we will support you.