We would like to announce that there has been a leadership change at the Oklahoma Education Association. Katherine Bishop has resigned as the president of OEA to spend more time with her family.
“I have loved every minute as an educator and my time of advocacy and would do it all over again. I’m so proud of our Oklahoma educators – you rock! Keep fighting the good fight for our students and profession.”
Bishop dutifully served Oklahoma public schools as a National Board-Certified Special Education teacher and an instructional coach for 23 years. She was elected Vice President of OEA from 2015-2021 and President of OEA from 2021-2025. Additionally, she was heavily involved in committee work at the district and state level. We are grateful for her time and dedication to the profession and OEA and wish her all the best.
Vice President Cari Elledge has now stepped into the role of President. Elledge was a 5th grade teacher at Norman Public schools for 15 years and was a full-time release president of the Professional Educators of Norman (PEN). She served two terms as zone director for the Southwest B region on OEA’s Board of Directors and six years as chair of the Communications Committee. She was elected OEA Vice President in Spring 2021.
NEA Board Director Zach Grimm has been appointed by the OEA Board of Directors as the Vice President-elect. Grimm has worked in Moore Public Schools since 2012 as a Spanish teacher and currently serves as the full-time release president of The Education Association of Moore (TEAM). He has served on the OEA Board since 2018 and was elected NEA Director for the state of Oklahoma in 2020.
Please join us in thanking Katherine Bishop for her service and welcoming Cari Elledge and Zach Grimm into their new leadership positions!
