Following back-to-back weeks of State Board of Education meetings, another lawsuit aimed at the State Superintendent, and legislative session kicking off next week, we had to bring back Ivy Riggs to break it all down.

If you come to the Capitol on a Tuesday during legislative session, you are likely to run into a cadre of educators who made the three-hour drive from northeast Oklahoma to advocate for public schools. Kaci Hoffer, a 14th-year reading interventionist from Miami, explains why that journey for Civication helps them build relationships with legislators and share the real issues facing public education in Oklahoma.

Tyler Outlaw, OEA legislative and political organizer and former Norman teacher, rejoins the pod to discuss the State Department of Education's latest budget proposal to the legislature and how you can connect with your lawmakers about the needs of your students, colleagues, and school.

Per hungerfreeok.org, 14.5% of Oklahoma households are food insecure, 67% of SNAP participants are children, elderly, or disabled, and hunger costs Oklahoma over $1.4 billion each year through increased illness and decreased academic achievement alone. Chris Bernard, president and CEO of Hunger Free Oklahoma, joins the podcast to discuss this serious issue that affects our students.

What are the State Board of Education's changes to rules and accreditation and what do they mean? How did Tulsa maintain local control of their schools? Are private schools sending materials about vouchers to families who already attend private school? Find out on this week's episode of Fried Okra!

The OEA is an association of educators, by educators, and that means Oklahoma teachers and support staff make up the elected leadership roles within the organization.  Tiffany Johnson and Krista Farris are each teachers in Shawnee and both offer their spare time to be their zone's board member and president of the Shawnee Association of Classroom Teachers, respectively. They discuss the importance of getting involved in the OEA from the state to the local level.

Unfortunately, it is the fine arts that are often the first to go when facing budget cuts. OEA member and Noble High School drama teacher Kevan Dunkelberg has still found a way to provide a pocket for arts through the creativity of his students, the generosity of a small-town community, and his own passion and hard work. Through determination and imagination, a third-year Oklahoma teacher has improved the lives of Noble students and the community.

Months ago, Ashley Daly visited a mostly empty State Board of Education meeting as a Tulsa parent, never imagining the political spectacle they would become. Daly has traveled from Tulsa before the sun rises to speak at board meetings for nearly a year. She wants other actual parents of public school children to find their voices and not be intimidated by the current charged climate around the State Department of Education.

The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation addresses the ongoing educator shortage crisis in Oklahoma by helping current education employees earn their degree to become certified teachers, while supporting high school graduates to work for public schools as they attend college. We speak with their CEO and President, Mary Mélon-Tully, about the successes they've had and how it can be replicated across the state.

Today, we are joined by Fort Gibson school board member and former Oklahoma State School Board Association (OSSBA) President Scott Abbott about the importance of running for school board, keeping them non-partisan, and the direct impact they have on schools. Visit ossba.org to find information on how you can run for your local school board. Candidate filings are open December 4-6!