Getting Involved with OFLA has been a Career-Changer

Megan Brady, OFLA President Elect
Spanish Teacher, Northwest High School 

As a recent college grad with a degree in Spanish, I had big plans to go on to become a bilingual counselor and move to Chicago to help the Chicano population. However, it turns out that wasn’t what was in the cards for my future. A good friend and mentor to me asked me to fulfill a long term sub position at an all-girls school in Toledo while working on my masters degree and that was a life-changer. I realized how much I love teaching, and I’ve never looked back. The thing that got me to take that sub position is the same thing that has helped shape me into the successful teacher I am today.  That “thing” is OFLA. As a camp counselor during the first year of Camp OFLA, I never envisioned myself working with OFLA for more than camp, because of my plans to move away and do other things. However, the bonds I made with the teachers and directors there were so strong that they are still, 19 years later, a big part of my life. They have encouraged me during every stage of my career, and I am eternally grateful for those mentors. 

OFLA has been more than just a professional organization to me and many others. OFLA has offered me all of the professional development that my districts have never been able to provide to me, especially as a small, non-tested department; has offered me a chance to network with others across the state; and has given me opportunities to grow and lead others. There is no other organization that has had as much impact on my life as OFLA has, including my universities.

I know some of us tend to think that if we aren’t going to go to the annual spring conference, that our OFLA membership may not be worth it. I encourage you to think again, and to not only renew your memberships, but also to save the dates of our upcoming events which will allow you to sharpen your teaching skills, network and brainstorm with other teachers like (and unlike!) yourself, keep up to date on initiatives, research, and advocacy pieces, and help others grow and thrive alongside you. Even more, I encourage you to get involved with OFLA, jump on a committee to help your state colleagues, become the chair of your committee and help the board find new ways to support your colleagues, or just come to our events and help us help you! OFLA can truly be such a valuable resource, which is what your OFLA board strives to make it each and every day. We’d love to have you join us! For more information on how to join us, please reach out to me at meganbrady211@gmail.com.