The Organization of DeKalb Educators (ODE) was founded in 1974 as the local affiliate of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) and the National Education Association (NEA). Upon the Organization's founding, it's members were harassed and even threatened by their fellow colleagues. The Organization's numbers dropped drastically, and at one point ODE only had 25 brave souls as members. In 1994,
with only 455 members, a dynamic membership plan was developed by ODE officers Jackie Henry, Rosilind Taylor and Helen Zappia, Pete Toggerson (retired) Uniserv Director, and Arden Shumaker (retired) of the NEA Collective Bargaining Office. Within a year, ODE's membership skyrocketed. The Organization saw a 45% membership increase, boasting support from elected officials and community. Since then, ODE's membership has steadily increased. Today we represent approximately 4,300 DeKalb County School System employees including teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, cafeteria workers and administrators. ODE continues to be a vibrant and dynamic school and community based professional education organization dedicated to improving education in the DeKalb County School System as well as improving the overall quality of life in DeKalb County. If you are a DeKalb County School System employee, consider becoming a member today!
