Governor Mary Fallin has appointed four members to the Teacher Leader and Effectiveness Commission. The nominations occurred on May 25, in the midst of a wave of May nominations. The re-formed commission takes the place of the “Race to the Top” Commission.
CapitolBeatOK learned about Fallin’s choices while examining a total of 120 executive appointments she made through May 31. Earlier in May, the governor formalized a handful of other education-related appointments.
The quartet named in late May includes Ginger Tinney, executive director of Professional Oklahoma Educators, the Sooner State’s non-union professional organization for public school classroom teachers.
In an interview with CapitolBeatOK today (Friday, June 3), Tinney said she appreciated the governor’s confidence and looked forward to the work. She commented, “The Teacher Leader and Effectiveness Commission is an extremely important commission and I look forward to representing the views of Oklahoma teachers.”
Tinney continued, “I’m grateful that Governor Fallin has asked me to serve and that she wants to have the views of teachers heard as the historic work of this commission will certainly affect all educators. I know that reforming education is a high priority for Governor Fallin. The Governor has communicated the vital importance a good education gives each and every student in Oklahoma.”
Tinney concluded, “Teachers know the important jobs they do every day in the classroom will determine the future of Oklahoma and our nation. I welcome this opportunity to be a part of this prestigious commission.”
According to Governor Fallin’s staff, Tinney was named to serve “at the pleasure of the Governor, filling a new position.” She “represents one of the three largest statewide organizations representing active public school teachers.”
Secretary of Education Phyllis A. Hudecki, a member of Governor Fallin’s cabinet, was also named to the panel on which Tinney will serve. Joining the two women on the commission are Robert J. “Bob” Ross, and Ben T. Robinson.
Ross is director of two well-known charitable organizations, the Inasmuch Foundation, and the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation. He fills a new position and will represent the educational philanthropic sector on the commission.
Robinson filled a new post, and represents educators in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). He serves as vice president for institutional advancement at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in Oklahoma City. Robinson is also the owner of an aerospace industry consulting firm.
Over the past two weeks, CapitolBeatOK has been catching up on appointments not yet reported on this news website.
In other recent education-related appointments, early last month the governor named Keri Bostwick to the state Textbook Committee for a three-year term, replacing Nancy Grayless as representative of the First Congressional District, to serve as a teacher representative. Also named to a three-year term was Sheila Rulison, replacing Jeff Prater as a teacher representing the Fourth Congressional District.
Named by the governor on May 20 to fill vacancies on the Spavinaw School District Board were Dalton Jones and Loy G. Sperry.
