Mission Statement 
Rooted in Legacy. United in Purpose. Empowering Every Educator.
Founded in 1965, the Okeechobee County Education Association proudly represents the voices of instructional staff and educational support professionals across our public schools. As Florida’s oldest American Federation of Teachers local—Local 1604—we honor the vision of our founders and the resilience of generations who fought for dignity, fairness, and professional respect in education.
We are committed to:
  • Collective advocacy for fair working conditions, compensation, and benefits.
  • Defending the rights of educators and support staff through strong contract enforcement and unity.
  • Fostering collaboration that values diversity, integrity, and equity in every school.
  • Empowering our members through leadership, training, and professional growth.
From classrooms to cafeterias, offices to buses, we stand together—because when we lift every education professional, we elevate the future of Okeechobee.
Empowerment:
Joining OCEA means investing in your profession and actively participating in personal and professional growth for the betterment of ALL - educators, students, and our community!
Collective Strength:
​OCEA is a grassroots organization where member involvement strengthens the collective voice, influencing better working and learning conditions through active participation.
Support:
OCEA provides comprehensive member support with worksite leaders, representation in disciplinary meetings, free professional development, and more.  We emphasize a commitment to member success and well-being.
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. 
​-Barack Obama