OEA

The “Mississippi Miracle”? More like the “Mississippi Marathon.” MAE's Erica Jones and OEA's Dr. Rhonda Harlow unpack the years of work behind Mississippi's reading gains and what Oklahoma can learn. #oklaed

What could SQ 847 mean for Oklahoma schools, CareerTech and public services? Skye McNiel, executive director of Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education (OKACTE), breaks it down on Fried Okra. #oklaed Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/oea/id1501888562 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5M9IBGM3WQar71SmFQAaCv

"Don't rob me of my joy!" Meet Amy Cantrell, OEA's Teachers Teaching Students Award winner, on Fried Okra. #oklaed Nominate someone today: okea.org/awards

“The library should be the heart of the school.” Muskogee teacher librarian Gina Batie joins Fried Okra to show us what a certified librarian really does and why students lose far more than books when schools go without one. #oklaed

Literacy is at the center of education right now. Edmond 2nd grade teacher and reading expert Cindy Rosario joins Fried Okra to talk about what works, what teachers carry and why every child deserves the chance to thrive. #oklaed

What happens at the Capitol when the Legislature isn’t in session? This week on Fried Okra, we break down recent education interim studies on professional development, school discipline and classroom culture, adjunct and emergency-certified teachers, alternative education, and more. #oklaed

This week on Fried Okra, Misty Bradley of Oklahoma Parent Legislative Advocacy Coalition shares how she went from public school parent to advocate, why showing up matters, and how Oklahomans can speak up for our neighborhood schools. #oklaed

Ashley Hunnicutt believes in “the power of a fresh start.” The Enid music teacher joins Fried Okra to talk cautious optimism, community and the joyful chaos of back to school. #oklaed

Tuesday’s results are in, but the election isn’t over. On the new Fried Okra, we break down what the primary runoffs and State Question results mean for public education, how the November picture is taking shape and what comes next. #oklaed

Tuesday is Election Day. Vote, then remind three people to vote, too. There’s something for everyone, and education is on the ballot. Andy Moore of Let’s Fix This joins Fried Okra to talk turnout, what’s at stake, and why your vote matters. #oklaed

Back to school means OEA members are back in action. This week on Fried Okra, we talk organizing across Oklahoma, an update on the recess bill and the education elections ahead. #oklaed

One last Fried Okra before our summer hiatus. We look back at a legislative session that started with talk of flat budgets but, through educator advocacy, ended with major investments in Oklahoma public education. We recap the wins, the fights, and what comes next for #oklaed

Sine Die is here, and the dust is still settling. On this week's Fried Okra, we break down what moved at the Capitol, which education bills were vetoed, and what the governor signed into law for Oklahoma public schools. #oklaed

"Busy, confusing, exciting, depressing." This week at the Capitol had a little bit of everything as lawmakers pushed hundreds of bills through late-night House sessions just one week before Sine Die. We break down what it means for public education, educators, and students. #oklaed

Fried Okra is back after a inspiring weekend with elected educators from across the state. We discuss the stretch run of the 2026 legislative session. Where do bills on salary increases, literacy, NBCT stipends, and more stand at the Capitol? Tune in as we break it all down. #oklaed

It's been one week at the Capitol. Gotta listen to the show so you know where the budget's gonna grow (and not grow) for public education in Oklahoma. Can't understand what we mean? You soon will. #oklaed

Movement is picking up at the Capitol and we break down what it means for Oklahoma public education. We look at where the budget stands, what could still change, and whether “across-the-board” really means pay raises for teachers. We also take a closer look at why property taxes matter and how they support schools and other critical services. #oklaed

A first look at the early budget deal and what it signals for public education, why it could still change, and how those decisions show up in our schools. We also talk with Andrea McDonald from the American Psychological Association about why student and educator mental health is a shared responsibility. #oklaed

Deadline week at the Capitol brought late night sessions, surprise amendments, and a flood of education bills moving fast. We break down what passed, what changed at the last minute, and what it means for Oklahoma classrooms. #oklaed

What was supposed to be a quiet week at the Capitol turned into a scramble. Tyler and Ivy break down a major rewrite to a bill adding seven instructional days, plus updates on library reporting, summer food for kids, teacher scholarships, and voucher expansion. #oklaed

Deadline week at the Capitol means dozens of education bills had to clear committee or die for the session. In this episode of Fried Okra, we break down what moved forward, what didn’t, and how member advocacy helped stop a bad bill earlier in the week. We also discuss state testing, career teachers, screen time in schools, teacher pay raises, the NBCT stipend, and more. #oklaed

We break down the Senate education plan, examine where the funding comes from, and explore what it could mean for current educators and those already retired. Strong public education should support every generation of educators, not create tension between them. We also recap a refreshingly uneventful OSBE meeting and check in on key bills ahead of deadline week.

Rep. Ronny Johns (R-Ada), a former educator, joins Fried Okra to discuss his bill providing $5,000 to Nationally Board Certified Teachers and why investing in educators is essential to recruiting, retaining, and improving outcomes for Oklahoma students. #oklaed

We break down dozens of education bills moving through the Oklahoma Legislature — from expanding a voucher program where 40% of recipients earn over $150K/yr to a host of other policy proposals that will shape our classrooms. We unpack what’s well-meaning, what’s concerning, and what it means for Oklahoma students. #oklaed

This week on Fried Okra, we break down Governor Stitt’s final State of the State, examine his public education legacy, and look ahead as education bills begin moving through the Legislature. Oklahoma’s future depends on long-term investment in #oklaed, not short-term fixes.