By Constitution Staff

Shortly after celebrating its 25th anniversary as an organization, the Professional Oklahoma Educators (POE) moved into a 17,500 square foot building in Noble for its new headquarters. It has been quite a dramatic growth for an organization that had to contend with the hegemony of the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA.)

Meeting in the Ball Room of the University of Oklahoma, Executive Director Ginger Tinney took the POE members on a history tour of the past 25 years.

The organization was originally known as the Association of Professional Oklahoma Educators (APOE), and was founded in 1988 by Olan Isbell, who was then the superintendent of Bennington Schools. Isbell began APOE because teachers at Bennington approached him with the desire to find another organization that was less expensive and one that would "actually support their personal beliefs instead of one" which held such extreme views, especially on religious issues.

Isbell found an independent teacher organization in Texas, which was not a labor union, but rather a professional organization for teachers. He structured the Oklahoma organization after the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Isbell put together a board of trustees from among some friends, and created the first APOE logo and brochure.

The total membership of the organization quickly rose to 40 members, but then struggled for the next few years. In 1995, Ginger Tinney was nominated to serve as the first president of APOE. She soon had to deal with Isbell's sudden death in February of 1996.

Tinney recalled that a few days later, R. L. Redwine, one of the board members, brought all the belongings of APOE to her home. He told her that all of the board members had agreed to be on the board because of their personal friendship with Isbell, and that they were now resigning.

"This was a scary and overwhelming time for me. I was a mother of two young children and was working full time as a teacher," Tinney remembered. She soon took over the position as executive director, as well as president. Before his death, Isbell had shared the vision and hopes he had for APOE. "He truly cared about teachers, students, and education."

In October of 1996, Susan Powell, a long time APOE member from Ames, agreed to serve as vice-president, and Lianne Goldsby, one of Tinney's fellow teachers at Highland East Junior High in Moore became the treasurer. "We were fortunate to have Lianne's expertise in accounting at that critical time," Tinney said.

In 1996, a new recruiting brochure was written, but the organization did not have the money to get it printed. So, Tinney asked for help from the Georgia Professional Association of Educators. APOE quickly grew to 500 members, a growth of 1,150% in one year.

Governor Frank Keating spoke at the APOE state convention that year, which caused many news outlets to cover the speech and the convention.

Growth continued up to 800 members in 1997. Finally, on January 1, 1998, Tinney became the first full time executive director for APOE. Tinney's home served as the official office for APOE. "At that time, I realized that APOE would not survive on just membership dues. We would have to have help," Tinney recalled.

Her husband, Mike Tinney, an attorney and former teacher, helped her to start the APOE Foundation. "Mike saved us much money in the early years by donating hundreds of hours of legal work free."

The first Foundation Board of Directors included Harold Powell (of Harold's Clothing store). In 1999, Betty Minton replaced Tinney as president, and Kevin Cumbie became vice-president. Membership passed 1,000 members, a growth of 29%.

Also in 1999, APOE rented its first office on Rock Creek Road in Norman, celebrating the grand opening on March 6th. Membership numbers continued to grow throughout the first decade of the 21st century. By 2001, membership was nearing 2,000.

In 2003, APOE hosted the lottery debate with then-State Representative Forrest Claunch (against the lottery) and Governor Brad Henry (for the lottery). The debate was held at the Oklahoma City University Law School, and was carried live on KTOK Radio.

In 2005, APOE relocated to near OU's Campus Corner. That year, APOE was able to secure passage of legislation which gave them equal access into the schools. "Before this law was passed, it was very difficult to tell teachers about APOE."

APOE began the Collaborative Communication Model. Working with Michael Barlow, Tinney created the model which would build relationships between school administrators and teachers. "It was a peaceful and respectful way to openly communicate about any issue in the schools," Tinney explained. The first school to swing over from OEA to APOE was Bridge Creek. Bridge Creek teachers quickly achieved many goals, with a method which was highly effective in building strong relationships with board members, teachers, and administrators. Several other schools have since followed the Bridge Creek example.

By 2006, membership reached 2,779 members, and in 2007, the organization changed its name from APOE to Professional Oklahoma Educators (POE). Membership went over 3,000 members, then grew to more than 4,000 members in 2008. POE staff had now grown to ten.

In 2009, POE passed 5,000 in membership, with staff growing to 15. The Retired Professional Oklahoma Educators was established in January, 2009. By 2010, the phenomenal growth continued, passing 6,000, with 50 local chapters of POE. In 2011, membership grew to more than 7,000 members.

With over 8,000 members, and 25 employees it can be expected that, under the able leadership of Ginger Tinney, and dedicated professional teachers across the state, the organization will only continue to grow.

Tinney concluded her remarks recalling the difficult financial times the organization faced, especially in the early years. She thanked her husband, Mike, "who truly is a rock solid man of integrity," who "stood by me every minute of this journey."

Tinney also thanked Oklahoma Constitution editor Steve Byas, who as a high school teacher at that time, and an early APOE member, recruited Tinney into the organization, and nominated her as its president. It is doubtful that the organization would exist today without the tireless leadership of Ginger Tinney.

Oklahoma Constitution Editor Steve Byas commented on why POE has grown so much: "Besides Tinney's dogged leadership, what are some reasons that this organization, which had only 40 members when she became its president, has grown into such an important force in the state? A large part of the reason is the role that the OEA chose to play as basically an arm of the Democratic Party in Oklahoma, taking stands on liberal social issues that have little or nothing to do with education.

Many teachers, liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, cried out for years for an organization that simply represented teachers as professionals, and worked to improve education in Oklahoma. The Professional Oklahoma Educators lobby the Oklahoma Legislature on behalf of its members, but they concentrate on education-related issues, not controversial social issues that teachers can naturally be expected to view in many different ways.

Far from being a partisan organization, seen as an adjunct of either major political party, POE is an independent voice, which not only did not kowtow to the Democrat leadership of the Legislature when they ran things at 23rd and Lincoln, but also is not a mouthpiece of the Republicans who control the Capitol now. They work with both Democrats and Republicans to improve the quality of public education in Oklahoma, and represent its members on education issues.

This is something that Ginger Tinney has understood, and it was the vision that Olan Isbell had for the organization, back in the 1980s, when the Oklahoma Education Association ran the show."

Those who wish to contact POE, can call (888) 331-2763, or e-mail them at:

info@professionaloklahomaeducators.org