Leadership

CEA President John Coneglio

John Coneglio knows the power of CEA. In 2002, when his high school principal was unwilling to address a problem, he called upon all of his training as a Faculty Representative to address the situation. Knowing the contract and knowing that his union would back him made a huge difference. Coneglio, also felt the power when he got involved with our anti-SB5 campaign. He was an OEA “Top 250” signature gatherer and helped get the issue on the ballot. John also worked the phone banks and joined demonstrators at the Ohio Statehouse—and his zeal to represent you did not stop there. John recognizes the difficulties his colleagues face as legislators tinker with education policy in our state—and as CCS struggles to regain the trust of taxpayers. High school teachers, in particular, have unique stresses and responsibilities. “In 2013, I had two opportunities to lobby at the Statehouse on behalf of teachers and students,” Coneglio said. “I think it is important to promote the concerns of high school teachers.” Coneglio has been an OEA delegate since 2002 and an NEA delegate since 2008. He was elected President of CEA in the spring of 2018. He lives in Clinton Township with his wife, Michelle, a kindergarten teacher at Clinton ES, their two daughters and “our dog who recently ate my camera.” He loves backpacking, camping and watching the Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. He also served as a Clinton Township Trustee.

 

CEA Vice President Phil Hayes

Victoria “Vicki” Evans has been an active CEA member since 1998. She volunteered as an alternate faculty rep. when Arts Impact MS, merged with her first school, Everett MS. She attended all meetings, taking studious notes and gathered information to report back to her staff. The next year she ran for faculty rep. and has been advocating and advising for CEA members ever since. She is a Multiple Disabilities teacher. Her program has been at Indianola Informal for the last 12 years. There she has served as Senior/Faculty Representative until she took on position as District 1 Governor. She has been a member of several CEA bargaining teams. Last year she served as a member of the core team that fought for our first strike in over 50 years. She loves her union and is always ready to put up a fight. She is an active member of Columbus Education Justice Coalition, DLAMC, OEA Women’s Caucus, NEA Environment and Climate Caucus as well as member of NEA Black Caucus. She recently served as a member of Communications Committee at her first NEA convention.

 

 

District 2 Governor J Sanchez

J Sanchez is a proud union member who understands the power of solidarity. His military background and coaching experience taught him that teamwork and togetherness are the foundations of success. CEA is the ultimate team. Each member is valuable in their own right. Whether stepping into the spotlight or working behind the scenes, J works for a better union team.

 

 

 

 

 District 3 Governor Joe Decker

Joe Decker grew up in Cincinnati as the child of a nurse and a teacher. Education, service, and the importance of social justice were concepts his parents modeled every day. Moving to Columbus with his wife Kristi, he supported his daughters as a volunteer when they began their education in Columbus Schools at Westgate Elementary, where Joe was PTA President, Chess Club coach, and a volunteer in the classroom. Wanting to do more, he earned his teacher’s license and returned to Columbus City Schools as an instructor in 2014 at Mifflin Middle School. As a Social Studies teacher, Joe helps his students explore the responsibilities of citizenship in order for them to live the best possible lives as leaders of our community. Being part of a strong union is an essential part of showing that behavior to his students and protecting their interests. As teachers, we are defenders of their rights and of the workplace that our union created for us.

 

District 4  (Vacant)

 

District 5 Governor Regina Fuentes

“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” is an old quote by Alexander Hamilton that Regina feels really captures her reasons for involvement in educational advocacy. Since her start as a high school English teacher at Eastmoor Academy in 1999, Regina has always found ways to advocate for teachers. She did not succumb to the pressures put on her  by irresponsible and unprofessional administrators during her early years who tried to push her out of the profession. Instead, she persisted by constantly challenging the status quo and using her CEA union resources to help her persevere and build a voice. 

Since 2015, Regina’s union advocacy has become even stronger. She has held the position of Senior Faculty Representative. In 2017 she was appointed as the official CEA Spokesperson which has allowed her to share CEA’s mission on many media outlets throughout the country and on many global platforms. Regina’s direct involvement in the 2022 contract negotiations and strike helped CEA win one of the most progressive contracts for teachers in CEA history. As a result, Regina was invited to represent Ohio teachers at the White House in September of 2022. While these accolades are nice, Regina prides herself as a positive voice for public educators everywhere. “I know that teachers feel defeated and unsupported on a regular basis,” Regina says. “Through my actions, I want them to know that I always have their back. We have to stay in the fight and do what’s best for educators. Teachers give so much of themselves and I want them to know that they are worthy.”

 

District 6 Governor Lori Barton

Lori began her teaching career in Columbus City Schools in 2007, after completing the Transition to Teaching program through the University of Dayton. As an Intervention Specialist, she taught elementary students with emotional disturbances for the first eight years of her career in schools on the northeast side of the city. She switched to teaching students with multiple disabilities in 2015, and she continues that work today at Avondale Elementary on the west side.

Her commitment to labor advocacy is rooted in a deep family tradition of union membership. Her father was an autoworker for 30 years and a proud member of UAW; her mother was a member of the UFCW; and her grandfather was a steelworker who served as president of his local for many years. Its union hall was even named after him in his memory.

Over the years, she has served as faculty representative, member of the Membership Action Team, picket captain during the strike of 2022, and now as Governor for the mighty District 6. She considers it an honor to serve her union, and will continue to do all she can to amplify and strengthen the collective voice of educators.

 

District 7 (Vacant)

 

District 8 Governor Amy Mondillo

Amy Mondillo has been an elementary teacher in Columbus City Schools for over 20 years. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and then moved to Columbus, Ohio when she was young. Amy attended The Ohio State University where she obtained her undergraduate and Masters’ Degree. Go Bucks!

Amy’s involvement in the union started when she was asked to run for election as an OEA Delegate. She went on to serve as an alternate faculty representative and then actively worked with many CEA members to defeat SB5.

Amy continued her involvement in CEA as a Senior Faculty Representative, a member of the district Reform Panel, a 2018 core bargaining member, Teacher Leadership Initiative (TLI) graduate, and a 2021 and 2025 bargaining team member. Amy has also served as a CEA representative on the district elementary report card committee, elementary portfolio committee, and as an OTES Assessment Leader. She has been involved with OEA and NEA by attending the Women’s NEA Leadership Summit, OEA Bargaining and Bootcamp Workshop, the summer OEA Leadership Conference and she has served as an OEA Delegate for many years. Amy enjoys being active in CEA and advocating for our members.

Amy lives in Columbus, with her husband Brian. She enjoys traveling, talking long walks, reading, and rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ohio State Buckeyes.

 

 

District 9 Governor Traci Arway

Traci Arway is all about making sure no one gets left behind. As a district Special Education Coordinator, she has seen how easy it is to lose sight of the umbrella of Association protection. “We are teachers on special assignment,” she said. “Sometimes we’re in that go between role between teachers and administrators.” When she was housed at Livingston Avenue ES, Arway saw professionals moving between buildings and struggling to build cohesive strength and certainty of their protection as CEA members. Sometimes coordinators were asked to overstep contract boundaries, and they were not sure how to say, “No.” “For instance, we cannot be put into positions to evaluate and report on teachers,” said Arway. That’s why Arway decided to get more involved. First, she served as a Faculty Representative of the newly-formed Special Coordinator unit. Now, as she enters her 16th year with the Columbus City Schools, she is beginning her term as District 9 Governor. Her aim is to continue the work she started. “Being in the role of coordinator and being in District 9 is unique,” she said. “Being governor helps me advocate for all the specialists involved in the IEP process. It helps me advocate for those people I work with every day. My goal is to continue to push the special education needs forward and continue to advocate for our profession and make sure we have a strong voice at the table.” Arway has taught at Livingston ES and Clearbrook MS. She comes from a union background. Her mother is a retired teacher and former OEA member. Her father, employed by the Ohio Lottery Commission, belongs to OSEA. “I’m also a political junkie,” she said. “Being involved in CEA keeps me in the forefront.” Arway and her husband, Kevin, a retired Whetstone High School teacher, live in northwest Columbus with their three children.

 

District 10 Governor Becky Coyne

In her 30 years as an art educator, Becky Coyne has witnessed the best in what the arts has to offer to ALL Columbus City Schools students and their families- namely creative, well rounded, and inspiring programs developed by the Unified Arts educators of Columbus City Schools. The Unified Arts has been strongly supported by CEA to ensure permanent language in the contract that allows for unique curriculum to be implemented by UA teachers, all while ensuring dedicated time to teach our students without cuts to arts programs. Becky never forgets (and is unafraid to let people know!) that the District 10 Educators may be small in numbers comparatively to the larger CEA membership, but they have the most impact, teaching ALL of Columbus’ nearly 50,000 students. The rest of the units in District 10 are equally impactful to the district- supporting students, their families, and programs, and generally being the heart and soul of the district- Librarians, Gifted and Talented teachers, Pre School Special Education, Teachers on Special Assignment- as well as those who help our teachers and students- PAR, TOSAS. PBIS, SELP, Central Enrollment, NPSS, and Kingswood members. Becky feels lucky to know and work with the talented members of District 10, and will never stop advocating for their rights and the rights of our students. “The members of District 10 are a critical part of Columbus Schools,” she said. “The departments of District 10 are the shining stars in our district. We have children and educators who are talented, far beyond what many people understand. I want to keep the spotlight on our outstanding students, and supporting their teachers is one piece of what keeps us moving forward.”

 

High School Governor -at- Large: Clarence Daniels

 

Middle School Governor -at- Large: Keith Emrick

Keith Emrick has been an educator in Columbus City Schools since 2001, where he currently teaches Middle School Math at Berwick Alternative K-8. Originally from Parkersburg, West Virginia, Keith was raised in a strong electricians union family that instilled in him a deep commitment to advocating for workers’ rights. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from West Virginia University and holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics.
Keith’s involvement in union work was inspired by two key mentors: Linda Montgomery, his student-teaching mentor and local union president, and Sally Oldham, his PAR consultant and later Vice President of the Columbus Education Association (CEA). Both women demonstrated leadership, dedication, and a passion for supporting teachers, which motivated Keith to become an active union advocate.
Over the years, Keith has grown into a prominent figure within the union. He began his journey as a building representative and worked his way up to Senior Faculty Representative before serving as the Middle School Governor at Large. He has been an elected delegate for the Ohio Education Association (OEA) and National Education Association (NEA) and has participated in numerous leadership conferences and initiatives. Keith has served on the bargaining team during several contract negotiations and is a graduate of the NEA Teacher Leadership Initiative (TLI).
In addition to his union work, Keith currently serves as his building’s Middle School Math Department Chair, where he is dedicated to fostering an environment of collaboration and academic excellence.
Outside of work, Keith lives in Columbus with his wife, Carrie, and their two teenagers, Sebastian and Leah. He enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, bowling, playing volleyball, and engaging in friendly competitive games with his social circle.

 

 

Budget Director/Treasurer Tracie Helmbrecht

Tracie Helmbrecht currently serves as the Budget Director/ Treasurer of the Columbus Education Association (CEA). A dedicated member since 1999, she has held numerous leadership roles within the organization, including Senior Faculty Representative (SFR), Faculty Representative (FR), Board of Governors (BOG), CEA Foundation Mini Grant Chair, and member of the Bargaining Committee. She has also contributed her expertise on several committees at both the Ohio Education Association (OEA) and National Education Association (NEA) levels. For over a decade, she has been elected as a delegate to the OEA and NEA Representative Assemblies.
Tracie was part of the inaugural cohort of the Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI) program and currently serves as the Academic Coach at the Juvenile Intervention Center.
Her professional passions include teaching grades 6–12, advancing professional learning opportunities, and strengthening union involvement among CEA members. One of her most meaningful experiences with CEA was serving as a Strike Captain during the Association’s 2021 historic three-day strike. Under her leadership, 100% of her unit’s members participated, and she has been instrumental in recruiting new and returning members to the Association.
In her role as Budget Director/Treasurer, Tracie manages all of the CEA financial accounts by overseeing revenue, expenditures, and budgeting. She represents CEA in financial matters with the Capital District, CEA Foundation, and various financial institutions and partner organizations

 

 

Election Chair Brittany Herb

Brittany Herb had a very unconventional approach to leadership in CEA. In 2016, she was in her eighth year teaching and decided to complete the Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI) program offered through NEA. While participating in this course, she realized a harsh reality: new teachers were leaving the profession at record numbers. With the support of CEA, she was able to create a committee to help retain new educators in our district called Columbus Early Career Educators (CECE). They can be found around Columbus the last Friday of every month to offer an opportunity for educators to collaborate with other educators in years 0-10 of experience, open to all CEA members. Throughout Brittany’s career, CEA has consistently acted in her best interest. They have supported her with disgruntled administrators on multiple occasions, as well as, in creating CECE. Brittany has marched at the State House, supported those speaking against SB 5, and spoke to city council about the importance of social emotional learning in CCS, especially after the Pandemic. Brittany is passionate about being an educator in Columbus and is eager to create change in our broken system. She serves as our Elections Chair and has taught at Johnson Park, Sherwood, Woodward Park, Ecole Kenwood, Monroe, Buckeye, CCPSG, and Starling (she was staff reduced 4 times) but most recently she will be one of our negotiated SEL positions at Highland and Sullivant. She welcomes your questions about NEA, OEA, and CEA elections.