2022 Ohio Teacher of the Year: "I will continue to teach the truth"

Oberlin High School social studies teacher Kurt Russell was inspired to become an educator by his 8th grade math teacher, the first Black male teacher he had in school. Now Russell is the first Black male to be named Ohio Teacher of the Year in the nearly 60 year history of that program. He shares his thoughts on honesty in education, representation, equity, and the other messages he hopes to spread in his new role.

Show Notes

Featured Education Matters guest: 

• Kurt Russell, Ohio Teacher of the Year
  • Kurt Russell is a veteran teacher at Oberlin High School in the Oberlin City Schools district who believes education can transform students’ lives. For the past twenty-five years, Russell has included cultural relevance in the curriculum for the 9th-12th grade classes he teaches: African American history, US history, IB history of the Americas, and Race, Gender, and Oppression. Russell received the teacher of the year awards from the Oberlin Heritage Center (2009) and the Oberlin Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (2019). In addition to teaching history classes, Russell also serves as a lead teacher at Oberlin High School and advisor for the Black Student Union, Student Council, and Junior Class. Since 1996 Russell has coached basketball for Oberlin City Schools. As the head coach of the Boys Varsity Basketball team, he has received numerous awards, including the Lorain County Basketball Association’s Coach of the Year and the Northeast Ohio Coach of the Year. 
  • Russell decided to become a teacher when he was in middle school. He was inspired by his math teacher, who was the first Black male teacher he had in school, and enjoyed learning about history. Russell received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in history and minor in black studies at The College of Wooster. He obtained a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University and continues to take courses in child development at Oakland City University.

Featured School Board Candidate:

• Maggie Cook - Running for Mentor Board of Education
  • Currently works as a Speech and Language Pathologist for Chardon Schools.
  • Maggie Cook has lived in the Mentor School district for the past twenty years. She and her husband, Brian, chose Mentor Schools for their two daughters. Sophomore, Hallie, and seventh-grader, Willow attend MHS and Memorial Middle School. Maggie is an educator, entering her 21st year of teaching. She has received a Bachelor's of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Thiel College and a Master's of Arts in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Akron. Maggie works as a Speech and Language Pathologist for Chardon Schools. She has worked in K-12th grade classrooms for over 20 years earning real life experience that she will bring to the Board.  Maggie is an advocate for education in and out of the classroom. She has served on multiple teams and earned experience in school finance, negotiations, and benefits plans. Maggie has extensive experience in special education; she understands how to implement quality programs with accountability.  Maggie has been a member of PTA each year that her children have been enrolled in Mentor Schools.  She is an active parishioner of St. Gabriel's Catholic Church.  
  • Maggie is a proud member of the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association, North East Ohio Education Association, Chardon Education Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Ohio School Speech Pathology Educational Audiology Coalition
  • MORE | To learn more about where Maggie Cook stands on the issues, check out her campaign website here.

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About us:

• The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
• Education Matters host Katie Olmsted serves as Media Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association. She joined OEA in May, 2020, after a ten-year career as a television reporter, anchor, and producer. Katie comes from a family of educators and is passionate about telling educators' stories and advocating for Ohio's students. She lives in Central Ohio with her husband and two young children.

This episode was recorded September 30, 2021.

What is Public Education Matters?

Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million children - 90 percent of students in the state! What happens in the classroom has impacts far beyond the walls of the K-12 school building or higher ed lecture hall. So, on behalf of the 120,000 members of the Ohio Education Association, we're taking a deeper dive into some of the many education issues facing our students, educators, and communities. Originally launched in 2021 as Education Matters, Public Education Matters is your source for insightful conversations with the people who shape the education landscape in Ohio. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on Public Education Matters? Email us at [e-mail]