Some of you may recognize Jennifer Esau as an OEA Board member or from her leadership positions at her local association. After years of being an active member, Esau now joins OEA staff as the Northeast Organizing Specialist.
“It has always been my goal to advocate for teachers and for public education at the local level or beyond,” Esau shared.
Esau brings her expertise as a National Board Certified educator who taught Special Education for 24 years at Claremore Public Schools. She holds a BS from The University of Tulsa in Communication Disorders and a MS from OSU-Tulsa in Special Education.
After many years of being in the classroom, Esau was ready to extend her reach.
“I loved working as a Special Education teacher and was able to advocate at a local level, but it was time to have a new challenge. Now, at OEA I will be able to affect so many more teachers, specifically in the NE and rural communities,” Esau said.
Beyond education, Jennifer has a passion for running, reading, and baking pies. She and her husband Andy have also raised two remarkable young women, Claire and Isabelle, who will graduate college this May.
It is clear that Esau’s love and advocacy for public schools has inspired her daughter Isabelle. She is following in her mother’s footsteps as a soon to be educator and as president of the Oklahoma Aspiring Educators Association (OAEA).
As an organizer, Esau wants to make sure that educators like her daughter feel seen and are taken care of.
“Oklahoma children deserve teachers who want to be there, who want to be in their classrooms. When we take care of our teachers, we take care of our children,” Esau reflected.
Esau understands that public schools are the core of our community.
“Public education is the most impactful part of our society and for our children. When we have strong public schools, we affect change,” Esau said.
We are excited for everything that Esau brings to the OEA team (including those pies). Please help us in welcoming her to her new position!
