By Ginger Tinney
Many teachers in Oklahoma are frustrated and fed-up with traditional confrontational tactics in negotiations over salaries and benefits, and sickened by systems that disregard the needs of students and hurt the process of education.
June 1 news stories in the state’s largest newspaper documented that many educators are looking for positive alternatives to serve children and their teachers. A June 5 editorial lamented the minority of teachers who are “bad apples” in state classrooms who are hurting our state, but being protected by monopoly union power.
Hundreds of thousands of educators nationwide have left traditional unions in search of independent and non-union alternatives. In Oklahoma, those teachers turn to Professional Oklahoma Educators.
A professional association with nearly 3,500 members, POE serves children first. Professional Oklahoma Educators is respected by teachers and administrators alike for mentoring struggling members to improve instruction.
Our organization promotes the Collaborative Communication Model as a replacement for antiquated bargaining methods. This model is a more open and inclusive process allowing all teachers to have a voice in negotiations that affect their employment, regardless of membership or affiliation, while keeping students’ needs in the forefront. It publicizes to teachers all offers made by the school board and administration during negotiations – information unavailable within the union system.
Teachers in four school districts have decertified union representation. Professional educators in Strother, Macomb, Dibble and Bridge Creek have chosen collaboration over confrontation.
We frequently get feedback from teachers across the state saying that they feel left out of negotiations regarding their own employment. Our model brings the communication process into the light so that teachers can be sure that their best interests are being represented.
Our association is all about teacher empowerment, and good schooling for children. We need systems that allow teachers to stay informed and involved so that they can work together to make the best choices. I have been uplifted and affirmed to see colleagues in teaching choose independence, collaboration and professionalism over the divisive models of the past.
The affiliated POE Foundation promotes excellence in education through quality teacher training and educational activities. We promote reform and better teaching methods by bringing education experts to our state to share proven innovations in education.
We are fostering a student-centered team approach to education. We are here to help Oklahoma schools become the best in the nation, because our children deserve nothing less than excellence in the classroom.
Note: Tinney is executive director of Professional Oklahoma Educators, a teachers association, and the affiliated POE Foundation, which annually honors outstanding classroom teachers with cash awards and other recognition.
Professional Oklahoma Educators
P.O. Box 667 / Norman, OK 73070
Phone: 405.321.3175 / Fax: 405.321.8897
Toll-free Phone: 888.331.2763
E-mail: Foundation@ProfessionalOklahomaEducators.org
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