OSEA Member Zandra Jansma Named 2023 Oregon ESP of the Year
Oregon ESP of the Year Zandra Jansma of Three Rivers Chapter 22 (right) with Three Rivers School District Superintendent David Valenzuela. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has named OSEA member Zandra Jansma of Three Rivers Chapter 22 the 2023 Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year! Jansma is an office manager (and so much more) at the Southern Oregon Success Academy.... Read More
Oregon State Legislature Creates Annual Classified School Employees Week
On April 24, the Oregon Senate approved HB 2708 to create an annual Classified School Employees Week during the first full week in March. This seemingly simple nod from Oregon’s legislative assembly underscores the importance of classified education professionals in Oregon’s education system. HB 2708 is supported by education workers, including the state’s largest union of... Read More
OSEA Members Testify at the Capitol
On Thursday, Feb. 2, team OSEA headed to the State Capitol in Salem to speak before the House Committee on Rules about House Bill (HB) 2708, which would permanently mark the first full week in March as Classified School Employees Week (CEW). This recognition has been observed in Oregon for decades, traditionally by proclamation from the governor each year. But noting that classified... Read More
Register Today for Legislative Education Day (LED) March 5-6, 2023
Members — register today for Legislative Education Day (LED) on March 5-6, 2023! LED is the prime opportunity for elected officials at the state level to hear from the experts on education — OSEA members! Follow this to register… Read More
OSEA’S BIPARTISAN ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE 2022 ELECTION
We are proud to announce our endorsements for the 2022 general election! These endorsements are made only after OSEA members on interview panels, the Government Relations Committee (Committee Chair Misty Talerico, Tillamook Chapter 28, pictured on the right with OSEA’s Board of Directors) work for months to identify the candidates who will stand with us on the education and... Read More
OSEA’s Work Shouldn’t Hurt, Other Advocacy Power Doubles
Oct. 5, 2022 – OSEA welcomes new employee Susan Allen to her role as our second Government Relations Specialist – doubling our advocacy power at the local and state levels! Susan is a proud product of Oregon’s public education system. With a background in Oregon policy development, Susan has worked in labor and for nonprofits, served as a legislative aide, worked on candidate... Read More
OSEA Scholarships 2022-23
As educators, OSEA members know the value of education. That’s why our union awards over $20,000 in scholarships each year to help members and their families pursue their academic goals. Additional scholarships are available through our partners, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Union Plus. FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OSEA Guy Davis and Past Presidents’ Scholarships These... Read More
2022 OSEA Guide to Unemployment for School Employees
Thanks to advocacy from OSEA members statewide, custodial, maintenance, facilities, food services, pre-K and early intervention workers have new rights and protections and no longer need to pass the “reasonable assurance” test to receive benefits. Our union continues to advocate with lawmakers for expanded unemployment rights and protections for even more school employees. If... Read More
What We Learned from the Work Shouldn’t Hurt Survey
May 25, 2022 – During one of the worst school staffing shortages in Oregon history, a critical area is among educators who support the students with the highest needs. To better understand the risks of bodily harm and/or mental trauma these workers face and how to improve their workplace safety, OSEA conducted a survey of school employees working with special education and... Read More
Melinda Torres of OSEA Coos Bay Chapter 33 is 2022 Oregon ESP of the Year!
Please join OSEA in congratulating Melinda Torres, Oregon’s 2022 Education Support Professional of the Year! Melinda is a member of Coos Bay Chapter 33 and the liaison supporting students in foster care or experiencing homelessness for the Coos Bay School District. She manages the ARK (Keeping At Risk Kids Afloat) Project, a school-based program for youth and families experiencing... Read More
