Spring 2016 ATPE News

THE

HEALTHCARE MAZE

SPRING 2016 | ATPE.ORG

Educators navigate rising costs, diminishing benefits, and confusing state and national policies

FUTURE EDUCATORS: How volunteers are changing their home communities one story at a time

CONTROVERSY IN THE CAFETERIA: The nutrition debate on Texas campuses

TEXAS TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Meet Revathi Balakrishnan

GCU SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ATPE MEMBERS

ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND GCU ARE WORKING TOGETHER FOR YOU! With over a 60-year history of providing quality teacher and administrator degree programs, GCU will teach you a thing or two, so you can do the same.

• Advance your career. From bachelor’s to doctoral, choose from over 20 degree programs to specialize in the area that fits your career goals.

• Learn at your convenience. Complete your coursework 100% online around your schedule.

• Graduate sooner. Ask about our complimentary transcript evaluation to see how many of your prior credits will transfer, lowering your total cost.

You could earn your degree in as little as 18 months.

ATPE members receive a scholarship of 10% off tuition to help you get started on earning your degree!

For more information, please visit gcu.edu/TXEducators or call 855-428-1772.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at gcu.edu/disclosures. Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.

Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. (800-621-7440; http://hlcommission.org/). 15COEE0341

S P R I N G

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V O L U M E

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N U M B E R

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ON THE COVER

special sections 6

Regional Roundup

35

Your ATPE

TPE-PAC Honor Roll · Family A Album · Classroom Makeover Winners · State Committee Appointments · It’s Time Texas · HOD Meeting Notice · Board Reports

departments

Navigating the Healthcare Maze Take a look at how educators are managing healthcare challenges, and how school nurses are now on the front lines of the healthcare debates.

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President’s Message

5 Calendar 8

Education Inspiration

10

Recipe for Success

14 Spotlight 16

Texans on Education

31 Members Speak

features

32

2016 ATPE Summit

43

For the Record

18 Texas’s Teacher of the Year

column

Meet Texas Teacher of the Year Revathi Balakrishnan from Round Rock ISD.

26 Out of the Classroom ATPE’s university students are getting involved in the community and gaining valuable experience with students.

COVER PHOTO BY JOHN KILPPER

spring 2016

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Your Ally. Your Voice.

TPE Staff Attorney Jeff A Kelly discusses new rules that affect Texas educators, and Lobbyist Kate Kuhlmann explains the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.

atpe.org | 3

president’s message

The official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators

STATE OFFICERS

Julleen Bottoms Vice President, Corsicana (12) Carl Garner Secretary, Mesquite (10)

Byron Hildebrand Treasurer, San Antonio (20)

Richard Wiggins Past President, Boerne (20)

Michael Sweet Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (1)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cesarea Germain Corpus Christi (2) Andy Erdelt Palacios (3) Ron Fitzwater Alvin (4)

Suellen Ener Beaumont (5)

Judi Thomas Willis (6)

Janie Leath Nacogdoches (7)

Jimmy Lee Paris (8)

Dale Lovett Olney (9)

Jackie Davis Garland (10)

Karen Hames Lewisville (11)

Jason Forbis Midway (12)

Jayne Serna Leander (13)

Tonja Gray Abilene (14) Darlene Kelly Ballinger (15)

Dawn Riley Bushland (16)

Brenda Bryan Hale Center (17)

Bridget Loffler Odessa (18) Rudy Romero Clint (19) Tina Briones San Antonio (20)

ATPE STAFF

Gary G. Godsey Executive Director Alan Bookman Deputy Executive Director Elaine Acker Marketing & Communications Director

ATPE NEWS STAFF

Gary G. Godsey Executive Editor

Elaine Acker Editor

John Kilpper Art Director

Leslie Trahan Managing Editor

Erica Fos Senior Graphic Designer Jean Schlitzkus Staff Writer/Editor Heather Gardner Consulting Editor ATPE News contains legislative advertising contracted for

by Gary G. Godsey, Executive Director, Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78752-3792, representing ATPE.

ATPE News (ISSN 0279-6260) is published quarterly in fall, winter, spring and summer. Subscription rates: for members of the association, $3.32 per year (included in membership dues); non-members, $10 per year. Extra copies $1.25 each. Published by the Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E. Huntland Drive, Suite 300, Austin, TX, 78752-3792. Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ATPE News, 305 E. Huntland Dr., #300, Austin, TX, 78752-3792. Advertising rates may be obtained by sending a written request to the above address.

Opinions expressed in this publication represent the attitude of the contributor whose name appears with the article and are not necessarily the official policy of ATPE. ATPE reserves the right to refuse advertising contrary to its purpose. Copyright 2015 in USA by the Association of Texas Professional Educators ISSN © ATPE 2013 0279-6260 USPS 578-050

Cory Colby ATPE State President 305 E. Huntland Dr, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78752-3792 (800) 777-ATPE (2873) • (512) 467-0071 atpe.org • atpe@atpe.org

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atpe news

<© IMAGE DESCRIPTION/COLLECTION/THINKSTOCK>

JOHN F. KENNEDY ONCE SAID, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are sure to miss the future.” This message carries a great deal of meaning for organizations like ours that represent a profession of individuals who are working in a world of constant change.

As an association, we are the flagship of what it means to successfully represent and advocate for students, educators, and the public education system. This success can be attributed to the groundbreaking and visionary foundation upon which our organization was built. In 1980 we were something different than the norm, representing an inclusive and grassroots-driven organization.

In recent weeks I have been talking on a nearly daily basis with our founding leaders, local leaders, directors, and others about the future of our organization and what it means to be member owned and governed. We’ve discussed new ways to give every member the opportunity to be part of the governance of the association. I have listened carefully as members and leaders have expressed both great enthusiasm and some reservations about the future. I have been encouraged by my discussions with founding leaders, who expressed a depth of energy and support for big ideas and ambitious planning that line up with the values upon which our association was built.

I have been even further excited about our future when more than 4,000 of our members responded to a statewide survey with overwhelming support for some of these ideas.

ATPE is the industry leader in advocating for educators and students. We have set ourselves apart from all others by our dogged commitment to being inclusive. By embracing change that energizes and involves more members and leaders, we can continue to ensure our position as the premier educator association for years to come.

Cory Colby President, Willis (6)

calendar

MARCH

APRIL

MARCH 1 Application/entry deadlines: Educator of the Year Award, Local Unit of the Year Award, Campus Representative of the Year Award, and Sam Houston Award for Political Involvement

APRIL 1 36th anniversary of ATPE’s founding

OFFICER PHOTO BY JOHN KILPPER; COMMITTEE PHOTO BY ELAINE ACKER

MARCH 2 Texas Independence Day

APRIL 8 State Board of Education meeting APRIL 10–16 National Library Week

MARCH 4 Texas Public Schools Week ends

APRIL 18–22 Public School Volunteer Week

MARCH 7–11 National School Breakfast Week

APRIL 21 San Jacinto Day

MARCH 13 Daylight Savings Time begins (turn clocks ahead one hour)

APRIL 22–23 Spring committee meetings: ATPE-PAC, Bylaws, Legislative, Resolutions, and Public Information

MARCH 15 Deadline: State officer nominations and proposed bylaws amendments and resolutions due in state office

Members enjoy serving on ATPE committees.

APRIL 27 Administrative Professionals’ Day

MARCH 25 State office closed for Good Friday

MAY MAY 2–6 Teacher Appreciation Week MAY 4 National School Nurse Day MAY 11 Texas Public School Paraprofessional Day MAY 6–12 National School Nurse Week MAY 13–14 ATPE Board of Directors meeting MAY 18 National Speech Pathologist Day MAY 30 State office closed for Memorial Day

JUNE 2015–16 ATPE State Officers Richard Wiggins, Byron Hildebrand, Carl Garner, Julleen Bottoms, and Cory Colby.

THE ATPE

VISION spring 2016

JUNE 1 Entry deadline for ATPE Communications Award

ATPE is the preeminent public educator association in Texas and makes a difference in the lives of educators and schoolchildren. In partnership with all stakeholders, we are committed to providing every child an equal opportunity to receive an exemplary public education.

atpe.org | 5

regional roundup

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here are more than a thousand school districts in Texas

and each one has success stories. Regional Roundup highlights some of the achievements happening in our public schools.

When something special happens in your school

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district, let us know! Send news to comm@atpe.org.

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LUBBOCK

GRAND PRAIRIE

2 6

5

LAMPASSAS

COLLEGE STATION

MARFA

4 SKIDMORE

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atpe news

REGIONAL ROUNDUP:

HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE STATE

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF: 1. LUBBOCK ISD; 2. LAMPASAS ISD; 3. GRAND PRAIRE ISD; 4. SKIDMORE-TYNAN ISD; 5. COLLEGE STATION ISD; 6. MARFA ISD

Lubbock high school student performs on National Public Radio

Lubbock High School flute player Yuna Langehenning was featured on “From the Top,” a weekly NPR broadcast featuring the performances of exceptional young musicians. The 16-year-old also received the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award, which includes a $10,000 scholarship. Yuna has earned Texas All-State Band honors two years in a row. lubbockisd.org

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Lampasas elementary students meet Frosty the Snowman

Kline Whitis Elementary students were greeted by Frosty the Snowman and a blizzard of “snow” this past winter. Lampasas saw no real snow during the holidays, but staff at the school were happy to make a winter wonderland possible for their students. School staff tell ATPE News that a video clip of Frosty’s visit was viewed more than 2,000 times on their district’s Facebook page. lisdtx.org

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Grand Prairie ISD superintendent is a Texan of the Year finalist

Grand Prairie ISD superintendent Dr. Susan Simpson Hull was named by the Dallas Morning News as a finalist for the 2015 Texan of the Year. According to the newspaper, Hull, who has been leading the district for eight years, has a reputation for innovation. Hull’s work earned her a spot on a list of candidates for Texas education commissioner. gpisd.org

winter 2015

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Skidmore students collect nearly 200 coats for neighbors in need

The Skidmore-Tynan Junior High Student Council collected 197 coats as part of a coat drive to give back to their community. The students partnered with the Lions Club, which distributed the coats to those in need. Student Council advisor Stella Resio was pleased with the students’ efforts and said, “It’s amazing what can happen when a community of people come together with generous hearts to help those in need!” stbobcats.net

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College Station student participates in prestigious program

Cassie He of A&M Consolidated High School in College Station attended the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute during the Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium.

Cassie presented a paper on the theme “Sustainably Feeding 9 Billion by 2050.” csisd.org

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Marfa student creates ball for New Year’s Eve celebration

Marfa High School Senior Alejandra Hernandez created the ball used for Marfa’s New Year’s celebration at El Cosmico campgrounds. Alejandra began welding in the eighth grade and has won awards for her work in stock and agricultural mechanics shows. This three-week project, culminating in the New Year’s Eve ball drop, was overseen by welding instructor Josh Steinberg.

Alexandra says she couldn’t have completed the project without his encouragement. facebook.com/MarfaShorthorns

atpe.org | 7

education inspiration

LOOKING FOR CLASSROOM INSPIRATION? You’ve come to the right place! In this new department, we’ll be highlighting fun and inspiring educational activities found on social media. This issue focuses on sciencethemed activities.

Teach your students about the importance of food safety and the prevalence of germs using this moldy bread experiment.

Turn this into an opportunity to teach your students the scientific method as well!

1

bit.ly/1TNEcBI

2

Use centers to help your students experiment with different science activities.

This website features some engaging science center ideas. bit.ly/1J9yFQe

This clever “brain hemisphere hat” will help students learn the different parts of the brain and their functions. Make this activity even more engaging by having students color the hat themselves. Check out the rest of this website for additional fun brain-related activities.

FOR MORE CLASSROOM IDEAS, FOLLOW ATPE ON PINTEREST pinterest.com/atpe

bit.ly/1npNZwS

3 These cute animal and plant cell decorations will help make your classroom both lively and educational! To expand their understanding, have students create and label their own cells as well. bit.ly/1O79oxB

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atpe news

1 Photo courtesy of appleandthyme.wordpress.com

5 Photo courtesy of mscraftynyla.blogspot.com

2 Photo courtesy of ellenjmchenry.com

6 Photo courtesy of katesclassroomcafe.blogspot.com

3 Photo courtesy of pre-kpages.com

7 Photo courtesy of icanteachmychild.com

4 Photo courtesy of createteachandshare.blogspot.com

8 Photo courtesy of teachbesideme.com

This fun bulletin board provides a great spot for students to post their questions. You can tackle them later, or let students take a crack at researching them and presenting their answers to the class.

Teach your students how to determine if an item is a conductor or an insulator using this easily assembled conductivity tester. bit.ly/1RPMhar

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bit.ly/1m4hc6o

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DO YOU HAVE A CLASSROOM ACTIVITY TO SHARE? Send your photos to comm@atpe.org and you could be featured in Education Inpsiration.

8 Use this hands-on activity to show students how white and red blood cells, platelets, and plasma combine to form blood.

Students will love making blood and getting their hands dirty! bit.ly/1O76GZ2

spring 2016

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Looking for a way to liven up the periodic table? Help your students learn chemistry with Periodic Table Battleship. Create this simple game with laminated periodic tables, file folders, and paperclips. Students will enjoy this fun and informative activity! bit.ly/1LAAQBo

atpe.org | 9

recipe for success

by Lori Doriocourt, second-grade teacher, Bryan ISD

Bringing

Nature into the

CLASSROOM

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atpe news

Y

oung children are naturally eager to learn about the world around them.

Students who have opportunities to explore wildlife will have positive impressions

of nature and gain lifelong social and academic skills. Give your students opportunities to learn and explore nature in the classroom using these simple techniques.

NATURE CENTER

top layer is soil. When you put in the plants, leave space between each one to allow for growth.

Include a nature center in your classroom. The center can be a collection of natural objects that are available to the children.

Encourage the children to include their own items, for example, rocks, leaves, soil, acorns, twigs, flowers, seeds, potted plants, pine cones, animal bones, and snake skins. Set out hand lenses, scales, rulers, containers, paper, and pencils. Model how to safely explore using their senses, sorting, recording observations in their science journals, and sharing with the class.

Š TEACHER SHOWING NEST/MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES/THINKSTOCK; TERRARIUM/REINSTUDIO/THINKSTOCK

CLASS PET Having a small class pet gives students the responsibility of taking care of an animal. Feeding and cleaning the habitat can be a classroom job that is rotated during the school year. Students can perform research to learn about their new pet. Discuss the importance of caring for living beings. What do all living things need to survive? Why is the habitat important for our pet?

CLASS TERRARIUM Building a class terrarium with students enhances the classroom community. Students can collect the rocks needed for the terrarium from their home or the playground.

spring 2016

WILDLIFE FOOD CHAIN MURAL

Have them take turns checking for dry soil and watering when needed.

To create a terrarium, you will need three different types of small household plants, a layer of sand, regular potting soil, rocks and pebbles, moss or fine screen, and a glass or an open plastic container.

The bottom layer of the container should be rocks and pebbles to allow for good drainage when students water the plants. Make the next layer out of moss, which will help the water, but not the soil, filter down. You could also use a fine screen instead of moss. The

Invite children to think about a special outdoor environment (a field, a forest, a stream, a pond).

What animals live there? What do they eat? What plants live there?

What else is in this environment?

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the sun! Record all ideas on chart paper, and have the class vote for their favorite habitat.

Using a large sheet of butcher paper, help the children create a mural showing food chains in the selected environment. They can draw or paint plants, animals, and other elements, and put in arrows to connect the food chains. When finished, encourage the children to tell stories about the scene. How do the plants and animals interact with the environment and each other? Display the written pieces with the mural.

Children are born with a sense of wonder toward nature and animals.

Building on their natural interest in animals and their environments can help them foster a respect for all living things.

DO YOU HAVE A CLASSROOM IDEA TO SHARE? Email Recipe for Success entries to comm@atpe.org.

atpe.org | 11

your ally. your voice.

by Kate Kuhlmann, ATPE lobbyist

Congress Leaves Behind NCLB and Hopes that Every Child Succeeds

U.S. Senate education leaders have come together to develop the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.

In a historic move just before the December holiday break, the U.S. Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) or No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Much of the law’s detail will unfold as the U.S. Department of Education (ED) works to issue guidance and finalize rules concerning implementation of the law. Below is a primer on the major provisions.

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 After years of inaction on the long-overdue reauthorization of ESEA, U.S. Senate education leaders came together to develop a bipartisan reauthorization bill. NCLB meant federally imposed policies, like standardized tests. In contrast, the new law, ESSA, recognizes that American public education should be a state and local responsibility. Although some of NCLB’s policies remain, ESSA returns considerable control to states, a move ATPE has encouraged for years. As of this summer, the new law will nullify Secretary Duncan’s controversial waiver system, and the decision of whether to adopt many of the favorable reforms included in those waivers, such as teacher evaluations tied to student test scores, will be left to states.

Accountability Under ESSA, states are required to develop multiple-measure accountability systems that consist

of at least four indicators: student achievement on state assessments, proficiency rates for English language learners, an additional academic indicator (such as student growth) for elementary and middle schools or graduation rates for high schools, and an indicator of school quality determined by the state (like a measure of college and career readiness, educator engagement rates, or climate survey results). States must set goals for most of the indicators and will continue to report on student subgroups.

States are also still required to identify low-performing schools with evidence-based intervention determined locally. Those interventions are required in the bottom five percent of schools and in schools with graduation rates below 68 percent.

Testing Under ESSA, students must still be tested in reading and math in grades 3-8 and once in high school. Students will still be tested in science three times between grades 3 and 12. However, districts may now meet high school testing requirements with nationally recognized assessments, such as the SAT or ACT. While ESSA keeps the testing requirements from NCLB, some flexibility was added. States can now establish a limit on the total amount of time spent on testing. Assessments can be in different forms, such as portfolios or projects, and the ED will administer a pilot allowing a handful of states or groups to experiment with innovative assessment systems.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the country’s chief K-12 education law, was originally signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. Since the law’s inception, it has been reauthorized (or amended) numerous times and dubbed various names along the way. Perhaps the most recognizable change was in 2001, when Congress rewrote the law with a bill termed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the most recent bill to reauthorize or amend the ESEA.

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atpe news

by Jeff Kelly, ATPE staff attorney

Educators States are given significant discretion with regard to professional development for high-quality teachers and leaders.

Among many options, states would be allowed to spend federal money on the development of an educator evaluation system, but no state would be required to do so.

This piece of the law has the most immediate impact on Texas as the Texas Education Agency (TEA) moves forward with statewide implementation of a new teacher evaluation system, T-TESS. The new system includes tying teacher performance to student test scores, a move that satisfied one requirement of the state’s ESEA waiver.

However, with waivers now null and void and a new law of the land governing education, Texas is no longer forced to press forward under such controversial terms, and education stakeholders continue to oppose the unproven and unreliable measure. Texas now has the opportunity to react.

The new law also repeals the mandates surrounding the “highly qualified teacher” provision included in NCLB. That provision is replaced with new requirements aimed at ensuring all students have access to “effective” teachers.

Next Steps The ED began work in January to implement the new law, including making rules, issuing guidance for states and districts, and having conversations with stakeholders. To take full advantage of the new flexibility provided by the law, Texas will need to take action at the state and local levels. The law takes effect for the 2016-17 school year. See ATPE's blog at TeachtheVote.org for timely information as more unfolds.

your ally. your voice.

The Times, They Are ‘A Changin’ Although the changes to federal law due to the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will certainly affect educators, other upcoming changes may impact certified Texas educators as much or more than changes to federal education law. The nearly twodecades-old commissioner-approved Texas teacher appraisal system, the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS), will soon evolve into the new Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System (T-TESS). TEA has proposed rules defining how the T-TESS will be administered and the rights educators will have to respond to evaluations they disagree with. In addition, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) has proposed new rules defining when and how an educator’s certification may be sanctioned for actions deemed inconsistent with the standards set for certified educators in Texas. We will share information explaining both sets of rules once they have been finalized and adopted. For now, I’d like to explain how you can participate in the rule-making process.

Your Turn When an agency like the TEA wants to create a new rule or change an existing one, the agency must provide a window of time to accept and consider public comments before making the change. ATPE will almost always provide comment, but you can also help change the rules that affect you. You have a voice.

You may have heard how public comments recently persuaded the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to embrace net neutrality. The Texas process for public comment is similar to the federal process. Under Texas law, when an agency like the TEA proposes any new rules—from changes in evaluations, to disciplinary processes, to contract rights—those rules must be submitted to the public for comment for a period of 30 days.

You don’t have to disagree with every part of a new rule to submit comments.

Focus on why you are concerned about the proposal—this could be anything from the reality of how the rule will work on a school campus to a philosophical concern about the rule’s purpose. You can comment on anything, but the more specific you are about what needs to be changed and how, the more likely a reviewer will consider your point of view.

Taking Action This short comment period means you don’t have long to study new rules and submit your concerns or suggestions about the proposals. Unfortunately, the comment periods for both the T-TESS rules and the SBEC rules have closed, but there will be many more opportunities in the future. If you want a say, first you need to find the proposals and read them. Most of the rules that affect your work as an educator will be proposed by the Commissioner or SBEC. Continued on page 42

spring 2016

atpe.org | 13

spotlight

interview and photos by Jean Schlitzkus

TEAMWORK For paraprofessional Mary Lloyd, a day at work is a day with family.

T

hey are tutors, classroom managers, computer laboratory instructors, library monitors, coaches, translators, medical providers, bus drivers, and more.

Paraprofessionals (often referred to as teacher’s aides) do not hold a teaching certification, but they work hand in hand with the teacher, providing instructional, behavioral, and physical support. All the best paraprofessionals share a common trait—an appreciation for the importance of teamwork in the effort to help children succeed.

Ballinger Elementary School pre-K teacher Melissa Faubion

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knows the importance of having a solid, collegial relationship with a paraprofessional and says she wouldn’t be as successful without the paraprofessional assigned to work by her side for the past five years, Mary Lloyd.

Faubion praises Lloyd, calling her patient, dependable, and motherly. According to Faubion, “Mrs. Lloyd knows when to be firm and expect more, and when to ease up and allow for the fact that [the children] are four years old, or allow for the fact that they may have some special needs.”

She insists that teacher’s aides are invaluable, and educational quality

suffers without them. “Together, we are able to give students the extra help they need.”

Lloyd plans to one day retire from Ballinger ISD—the same small West Texas school district she, her daughters, and many of her friends graduated from. After 26 years working for the school district, Lloyd knows just about everyone walking in the school halls. It’s why going to work every day feels more like a family gathering than a job for Lloyd. She doesn’t go a day without a hug from current and former students, who she affectionately refers to as her “babies.”

Although she began at the district working

in special education and later in technology, she says her heart found a home when she began working as a teacher’s aide alongside Faubion.

ATPE News spent a day with Lloyd and learned about the tightly knit bond between educators and students in a small-town Texas school.

What do you enjoy about working with pre-K children?

They are so funny. Nothing bothers them. They tell you exactly what they think. On top of that, you get hugs—they are my babies.

As a teacher’s aide, what are you responsible for?

In the morning, I take the kids to PE and to work on computers.

After that, we do large-group and small-group activities, and then we go to lunch. Once lunch is over, I help put them down for their nap.

While they are resting, I put their homework bags together with their behavior folders. I also drive a bus. Every day, I take home a young boy who is in a wheelchair and has seizures. And when we go on field trips, I drive the bus.

What are some of the unique issues you deal with in a pre-K class?

Wet clothes. Some of them haven’t learned to say, “I’m going to throw up,” and they don’t hurry to the bathroom.

There are messes out here on the floor that we have to clean up a lot. We wipe snotty noses.

Sometimes, we have to be part-time nurses. We also have to be a shoulder to cry on. Kids at this age can get their feelings hurt very easily; so we hug them, and hold them, and carry them. We even fix and re-do hair! We really do a little of everything.

What are some of your favorite moments in the classroom?

My favorite moment is when you can see the light bulb go on. It’s just like day and night. They are in “La La Land” one moment, and the next, “Ah! I know what you’re talking about!” When the kids finally see what is going on, it’s wonderful.

What’s your relationship with the teacher like?

We can finish each other’s sentences. Mrs. Faubion and I have worked together for about five years. It’s so important for the paraprofessional and the teacher to have a good relationship. It would be tense if we weren’t in the same line of thinking. For example, when she’s working with large groups, I do crowd control. I

help make sure the students are doing what they are supposed to be doing. And we can manage discipline together. We work really well together—and we have fun.

Why do you choose to stay in a small town like Ballinger?

It’s more of a family relationship than just work. My kids have been in this room. And I knew Mrs. Faubion’s kids when they were growing up. I have two daughters who both graduated from here, and I graduated from Ballinger.

In a small school like ours, we are a big family. We know when somebody’s sick. We know each other’s families. Not just Mrs. Faubion and me, but throughout the entire building. In a bigger city, I don’t think people know everyone—and we do. When you meet someone on the street, you know them and they ask about what’s been going on. I just like it. I feel as if these are my friends.

They’re here for me and I’m here for them.

atpe.org | 15

Texans on education

by Daniel Taber, assistant professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences at UT Health

School Nutrition: How Texas Went from Leading Positive Reform to Leading Rebellion

As school nutrition has become a more partisan issue, people have started to put politics ahead of students’ health.

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My career is a great way to start a debate. Simply put, I evaluate whether public policy to reduce childhood obesity works. When I say this to a stranger, it frequently triggers a 30-minute debate on the government’s role in reducing obesity. It’s a topic that everybody—liberal, conservative, or independent—has an opinion on.

It’s been interesting, though, how political views that shape childhood obesity policy have shifted in recent years, particularly in my area of specialty, which is school nutrition. In 2012, I wrote a blog in which I said, “The need for school nutrition reform is a rare topic that liberals and conservatives can agree upon. One fact that surprises many people is that states with strong [school nutrition] laws are in the South, including states that are politically conservative.”

One of those states was Texas. The Texas Public School Nutrition Policy began to require healthier foods in schools in 2004, at a time when few states were taking action. Texas leaders were bold because they recognized that childhood obesity was an urgent problem. Nearly 20 percent of children in the United States have obesity, which affects everything from a child’s physical and mental health to national security. Retired U.S. military leaders formed an organization, Mission: Readiness, which fights for healthier school foods because obesity limits who can serve in the military.

Texas’s early action led other states to make similar changes, and now we have substantial evidence that state laws to require healthy foods and beverages in school can improve student health. I’ve led several studies on the topic, and we’ve repeatedly found that healthier standards are beneficial as long as they are comprehensive, consistent, and required.

In 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act had broad bipartisan support when it required healthier federal standards for all foods and beverages in schools nationwide. There was a collective understanding, across political lines, that change in schools was urgently needed.

Unfortunately, the political landscape has changed since then. As school nutrition has become a more partisan issue, people have started to put politics ahead of students’ health. In 2015, there was contentious debate in Congress over whether federal school nutrition standards, which were widely supported in 2010, should be repealed.

Texas’s role in the field of school nutrition has also changed dramatically. The state went from leading positive reform to leading rebellion.

When Texas’s new agriculture commissioner, Sid Miller, took office in 2015, he immediately pushed to allow deep fat fryers and soda in school. To put that in perspective, not even the American Beverage Association, which represents major soda companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, supports regular soda in school. The public overwhelmingly rejected Miller’s ideas, by a 105-8 vote in public comments, including objections from the American Heart Association, Texas PTA, and several school districts. Yet Miller repealed the state’s nutrition standards anyway.

It’s troubling to see these trends after all the progress that Texas and other states have made, especially when I know how much schools care about health. Remember when I said that people get fired up over the topic of my research? Nobody gets more fired up than educators. In my experience, nobody cares more about student health. Educators know that creating a healthy environment is crucial for students’ development.

Requiring healthier foods is just one way that schools can help reduce obesity. Other successful programs or activities include Farm to School, Safe Routes to School, having healthier foods at classroom parties, and providing physical activity breaks during class. The goal of these programs is not only for students to eat a few less calories or get a little more activity. It’s about creating a culture that revolves around healthy eating and active living. Reducing obesity will require that kind of cultural shift in how we live. Schools are a major part of students’ culture and need to be at the center of reform.

atpe news

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Dancing with the Daffodils The 2016 Texas Teacher of the Year shares her motivations, her hopes for her students, and her unique approach to the classroom.

Interview by Leslie Trahan • Photos by Erica Fos

W

hen 2016 Texas Teacher of the Year and Round Rock ATPE member Revathi Balakrishnan talks about her favorite poem, William Wordsworth’s “The Daffodils,” she becomes almost breathless with excitement. “It is the world’s best poem, in my opinion,” she says, glowingly. “I give it to my students every year.”

Balakrishnan, a talented and gifted (TAG) specialist at Patsy Sommer Elementary, was a systems analyst before she made the leap into education. She has been teaching both math and language arts for 10 years.

In addition to teaching TAG courses for first through fifth graders, Balakrishnan leads the school’s robotics and coding clubs, and she headed up the chess club until her growing Teacher of the Year duties meant she had to prune her schedule. In keeping with her clear love of literature, Balakrishnan also coordinates student performances of Shakespeare; she even started 18 | atpe.org

the district’s own Shakespeare festival, in which other Round Rock elementary schools participate.

Growing up in India, Balakrishnan learned about the value of education from her philanthropic father.

Despite having lived in the United States for more than 30 years, she still feels deeply connected to India and frequently works alongside her brother, who volunteers for Rotary International, to help fund projects that support education in her native country.

One of Balakrishnan’s true pleasures in life is sharing literature and poetry, like “The Daffodils,” with her students. She hopes to inspire them to greater heights, as she herself was inspired by her brilliant but physically challenged grandfather. In addition to introducing her to Wordsworth, he taught her compassion and strength in difficult times. Balakrishnan works to instill these same lessons in her own students, and her greatest hope is that they, too, will serve as an inspiration to others. atpe news

What brought you to the United States?

I came here in 1983, after I got married. My husband was working on his PhD, so I came on a student spouse visa. I got a scholarship at Northeastern University in Boston to earn my master’s degree in economics. We moved around quite a bit because of his job—from Indiana to Massachusetts to Pennsylvania, and now here to Texas. We’ve been in this area for 13 years, the longest we’ve been anywhere in the United States.

Can you talk a little about your previous career?

I was a systems analyst for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, and after seven years of working in the office, I telecommuted for many more years. If I’d stayed in the data-mining field, right now I’d probably be earning quite a bit. But, at some point, I would still have become a teacher. I like change. No day is the same in teaching. I like the discussions I have with my students. I like that I am making a difference.

Did you have any teachers who influenced you as a child?

Yes, my maternal grandfather. He had polio, so he could not even walk, but he was brilliant.

We would play chess or analyze math "No day is problems for hours and read Longfellow, the same in Dickens, and the Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. teaching. I like Despite his disability, there was not a single the discussions day when a negative word came out of his mouth. Imagine not being able to walk, I have with my in India, where there are no handicapped accommodations. He would say, “I cannot students. I like that I am making change it, but I will do the best I can.” He was incredible, and he taught me everything a difference."

I know. Everything I do now is in his honor.

What made you decide to become a teacher?

Growing up in India had a huge influence on me.

Aspects of Indian culture favor boys over girls, but I did what I could within those cultural boundaries. My father was a big advocate for girls’ education, and he funded education for many girls that I know of. One in four Indian women was literate when I was a child there, and I saw a lot of physical and mental abuse of those women who did not get an education. I worried that would be my fate, but my father would always tell me, “That won’t be you because you have an education that will give you gender equality.” I didn’t believe him then, though.

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Where did you get your teaching certification?

Texas State University. They have a program called the Teacher Recruitment Program. That’s what my daughter also did. It gives you practical experience in nine months, and it got me into the classroom fast. It was meant for people making a mid-career change.

Is that where you developed your love for Shakespeare?

No, we didn’t do Shakespeare in my childhood. When I started teaching Shakespeare, I knew nothing about his plays. I learned along with my students. A teacher in another school introduced me to the program. She wanted me to help, but it was my first year teaching, and I thought, “I cannot do this.” She left the district the next year, and I decided to give it a try in my school.

I learned like I was a woman in a hurry. Every day I imbibed Shakespeare. When I talk to the kids, they can see my passion for it. We tell them, “Enjoy the language, let it roll over your tongue. Savor the words.

That’s what Shakespeare was meant for.”

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How did you get into talented and gifted education?

are being considered for the program. Legally, anyone who wants to be tested for the program can be, and I usually test 80 to 100 students per year. Of course, It was by chance. I applied for a position at Forest not everyone who applies will get in, and handling the North Elementary School, and because there was expectations of parents and students a high degree of turnover there, I was considered for a number of positions. The "The biggest issue can be challenging. I tell parents that even if the test doesn’t show that their principal must have seen something in facing Texas child is gifted, that doesn’t mean they’re me that she thought would be suited for a not gifted in any area. It’s just a matter schools is their talented and gifted position. of finding that area.

What are some of the unique challenges that you face as a talented and gifted specialist?

difficulty retaining high-quality, technology-savvy teachers within the first five years of them entering the profession."

Talented and gifted students are quirky i n t h e i r ow n way. Th ey st r u g g l e w i t h perfectionism and underachievement, and they face stress from their families to excel in everything.

I strive to create a consistent, credible, and challenging program. I like to see the end product, to know what I’m working toward. And I am constantly tweaking the program, which means I am willing to dump practices that have outgrown their usefulness. I spend a lot of time collecting data, studying the environment, and brainstorming ideas to create the right classroom for my students. I make sure that my students learn rigorous and relevant material and that they build resilience and relationships. I call this strategy R to the fourth, meaning that if all of these concepts are applied at the same time, learning can only grow exponentially.

I’m also responsible for testing all the students who

What makes your classroom unique?

I give my students lots of time for discussion. I don’t mind what they’re talking about; I want to see what they think. I do a lot of metacognitive analysis. Also, I only give homework three days a week. Those other two days, they decide what to work on.

They differentiate their own homework based on what their challenges are, but they must do 30 minutes of math a day.

I also don’t have typical classroom decorations. One wall has posters of places around the world that I have traveled to. The kids really love to see that. I also have a world map at their eye level. We talk about where things are on the map. I’m all about world events and current events in my classroom, even in math classes.

As an assignment, I send my kids to HEB. They take photos of cereal boxes with their smart phones and recalculate the data to tell their parents which is the better buy. There is math all around them, and I want them to see that all their learning is to better understand the world.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing Texas schools and teachers today?

The biggest issue facing Texas schools is their difficulty retaining highquality, technology-savvy teachers within the first five years of them entering the profession. Schools spend money training new teachers, but that money is lost when

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atpe news

the teacher walks out the door. The best solution is the implementation of good, research-based teacher induction programs, mandated and monitored by the state, but with each school deciding what it looks like at their level, based on the needs of the school.

Brand-new teachers and teachers who are experienced but new to the school have to be trained in the new philosophy and must be given dedicated time to meet with well-trained mentors, observe other classrooms, and reflect on their teaching practices. Professional development should focus on not only HOW to teach but also content knowledge. I wonder how many good teachers we are failing to retain. Good exit interviews will determine constant tweaking to the induction program.

What advice would you give to a new teacher entering the field today?

First, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Many first-year teachers don’t ask questions because they think they will be evaluated as incapable. You’re not expected to be a master teacher when you walk into the classroom your first year. You must learn from your experiences and grow as a teacher.

Second, plan lessons that involve open-ended questioning, are relevant to the outside world, and teach some life skills along the way. Such lessons lend themselves to differentiating, student choice, and thinking at a higher level, while teaching collaboration and communication.

Third, read widely. Facebook and blogs are good sources of ideas, but you have to read newspapers and other established sources to improve your content knowledge. Our moral responsibility is to present unbiased information.

What has the experience of winning Texas Teacher of the Year been like for you?

It’s funny how you can do this for 10 years, and then suddenly everyone recognizes you. I’ve been a finalist for Teacher of the Year at my school for the past five years, but I never made it until this year. My husband says that maybe I needed the time to grow as a teacher.

How do you define success for you and your students?

I am successful when my students become productive citizens and help others. I always tell other teachers that we cannot see the impact of what we do right now, but if we are doing our jobs right, we will effect positive change in the future.

I got a wonderful two-page letter from a former student saying, “I thought you were mean and scary, but now I know that you just wanted the best for me.” She said, “Every time the going gets tough, I remember your words, and that’s how I’ve decided to become a pediatrician.” After seven years, and moving states, she actually took the time to write to me—I think that is empathy, too, when your former students remember to thank you.

Do you keep in touch with your former students?

Yes, a student in my first batch is in his third year at UT. I met him the other day. His mother still calls me Mrs. Balakrishnan. I have the email addresses of all my students' parents, and at the beginning of every year, I send out an email wishing them good luck. For those whose students have graduated or are going to high school, I send a separate email, which I send to the Continued on page 42

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STORY BY G . E L A I N E ACK E R P HOTOS BY JOH N K I L P P E R

Navigating the HEALTHCARE MAZE T

he word “healthcare” can prompt animated debates about the perceived success or failure of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sometimes referred to as “Obamacare.” The law was enacted in 2010 with the intent of making healthcare available to more American families. Most of the law’s provisions are already in place, although changes will continue to occur through 2022. In this article, ATPE explores how the changing healthcare environment affects educators.

Healthcare on Campus Debates about school finance move from theoretical to personal when the discussions focus on how much an educator spends out of pocket for healthcare benefits and how much is left over at the end of every month. In Houston, almost every educator on the Waltrip High School campus has a story about how they, a student, a spouse, or a child have struggled to navigate the healthcare maze.

Mary Gibson is Waltrip’s school nurse. She agrees that one of the biggest challenges is rising costs, which means many will delay treatment until the condition reaches “emergency room” status. She sees more and more students—and educators—relying on her expertise as a first step in seeking care. “Kids come to school sick and spread illnesses to their teachers and classmates,” she says.

“I’ve seen everything from colds and pink eye to diabetes, kidney failure, and meningitis, to mental health issues.”

But it wasn’t until Gibson lost her husband that the full weight of the healthcare crisis hit home.

Gibson was paying almost $1,000 per month to

spring 2016

insure herself and her husband. Her husband was retired and had Medicare, but because she worked for a large employer, the rules required her to cover her husband on her policy. This made his Medicare coverage “secondary” and reduced her take-home pay to around $900 per paycheck.

“My husband was a cardiac patient,” she says.

“And when his cardiologist moved away, we were unable to locate another cardiologist who would accept our insurance plan. While we searched for a doctor, he died.”

Gibson’s healthcare struggle continued when she became sick about three years ago. She was diagnosed with gall bladder disease and told to contact a surgeon.

While she searched for a surgeon who would accept her insurance plan, her condition worsened, and ultimately, the surgery was done as an emergency procedure at Memorial Hermann hospital. What should have been a relatively simple procedure became a much more complex surgery requiring a lengthy, and painful, recovery.

Through her personal experiences, and those of her colleagues and students, Gibson’s job has

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evolved. It’s no longer to simply care for children who become sick at school. Gibson educates children, families, and staff about how to manage their health and wellness. “Healthcare costs are astronomical for very poor healthcare plans,” says Gibson. “We’re lucky that we’re in an area with a number of healthcare clinics available to students and their families, but a lot of people still just don’t know what services are available.”

Dawn Martinez is Gibson’s colleague, and it’s her job to try to bridge the gap as well. She’s an employment representative with Houston ISD, and she helps educators select the best plan to fit their budget and personal health situations. The family plans with the best benefits can cost up to $1,600 per month. She says, “When I see someone working full time, 40 hours per week, who can barely afford even basic healthcare insurance, something is wrong.”

Healthcare and Texas Educators

ATPE lobbyist Josh Sanderson offers perspective on exactly how the ACA affects educators. “At the 30,000 foot level, a lot changed,” says Sanderson. “But as it applies to our educators, little or nothing changed.

The TRS staff scoured the act and found that all of Texas’s plans already met the minimum standard.”

The two biggest threats to Texas educators are healthcare inflation, which began outpacing income

long before the ACA was enacted, and the fact that Texas provides inferior funding for educators’ healthcare plans.

“The state doesn’t provide districts with funding for your healthcare at the level of other employers in Texas,” says Sanderson. “That’s not anecdotal. There’s data.”

Because funding is limited, more and more districts are looking for cost-effective alternatives. “The trend is away from traditional insurance plans to highdeductible plans,” says Sanderson. “And this trend started before ACA. It’s the cheapest plan, and often, educators can’t afford anything else. Unfortunately, with high-deductible plans, many will delay seeking care, because they realize they have to pay out of pocket until they reach their deductible. Now, you’ve got educators relying more heavily on the school nurse. If we had a better system, people wouldn’t be

THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AT A GLANCE BENEFITS • Individuals can’t be denied coverage based on their medical history.

• The healthcare exchange provides individuals with access to a wide range of insurance providers.

• Pre-existing conditions are covered.

• A person cannot be dropped from insurance coverage because of a change in medical status.

• Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Coverage Program (CHIP) for the most economically disadvantaged

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have been expanded.

•Y oung adults are allowed to remain on their parents’ plans until age 26.

FLAWS •T he new regulations have placed a heavy burden on employers, including ATPE and school districts.

•N ot all doctors accept patients with coverage provided by the ACA exchange.

•M any doctors are opting out of insurance plans because of increased requirements and shrinking reimbursements.

atpe news

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY Here are some things you can do to help stay healthy and avoid unexpected medical expenses.

GET HEALTHY. Follow the school nurse’s advice and listen to your body. Get enough rest, eat good food, and drink enough water.

SEEK PREVENTIVE CARE. Annual check-ups and regular screening can detect problems before they turn into emergencies.

DO THE RESEARCH. There are valuable guides available online to explain the ACA. Some are more politically biased than others, so search the web and be sure to visit the official ACA website at healthcare.gov.

forced into high-deductible plans.”

When it comes to spending per public school employee for benefits, Texas ranks last in the country.

“At a minimum, we have to keep pace with the private sector,” says Sanderson. “We have to be able to compete with neighboring states for quality educators. But right now, the state is contributing an average of $75 per month—the same level as 2001. Fifteen years have gone by. Had the state made incremental increases like every other employer, it wouldn’t be a problem.

But now, even if they doubled their contribution, it would cost about $1.2 billion to do. It’s massive.”

Weighing the Risk

One of the provisions in the ACA is that people who do not carry minimum essential coverage (MEC) through qualified insurance plans must pay an individual shared responsibility payment. Those who opt not to carry MEC are required to pay this fee when they file taxes for the year (unless they qualify for an exemption).

Many people are questioning whether it makes financial sense for them to pay the annual fee instead of maintaining MEC. For some, the fee may be less expensive than the lowest premium, highest deductible plans. However, people who opt to not carry insurance and instead pay the fee are taking a huge financial risk.

Fees for people who do not carry MEC are calculated in one of two possible ways: percentage of annual income or per person. For a single person who does not have insurance, the fine is 2.5 percent of annual household income OR $695 per person, whichever is

higher. According to healthcare.gov, the annual premium for a Bronze plan, the lowest cost, highest deductible plan available through the exchange, is $2,448.

At first glance, it would appear that a single person without dependents would save a significant amount of money by just paying the annual penalty. However, this assumes that the person won’t get sick or have medical expenses during the year. If the person needs to see the doctor, have lab work done, or go to the hospital, those costs would be paid out of pocket.

This person could quickly end up owing thousands of dollars for expenses that would have been covered by insurance after the deductible was met.

For most people, the risk of paying out of pocket expenses isn’t worth saving a few hundred dollars in insurance premiums. For more information on penalties and for help estimating your annual fee, visit healthcare.gov/fees/fee-for-not-being-covered.

Knowledge is Power

The stories from HISD continue, one after the other.

One teacher needed physical therapy. Insurance covered $40, but each treatment cost $150, so she stopped going. Another, a counselor, needed urgent dental care, but was forced to wait two weeks before she could get an appointment with a dentist who accepted her plan. In another example, a paraprofessional working for the district needed to see a specialist, but not all plans offered access to all specializations.

Amelia Cano is a retired school nurse who still works with HISD. She quickly gets to the heart of the continued on pg. 42

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M O O R S S A L Y C T E I H N T U F M O M T O OU THE C O T IN AND

ATPE’S UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE GETTING INVOLVED AND GAINING VALUABLE EXPERIENCE WITH YOUNG LEARNERS

BY LESLIE TRAHAN

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“IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT, THEN YOUR FACE WILL SURELY SHOW IT. IF YOU’RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT, SHOUT, ‘LET’S READ!’ LET’S READ!”

PHOTO BY JOHN KILPPER

I

t’s the first Friday in October, and the Barnes and Noble in Denton, Texas—a place one can only assume is typically a quiet refuge for its patrons—is alive with the sounds of young children singing, ATPE student members from Texas Women’s University host reading programs that prepare them for the laughing, and shouting with glee. For an classroom while giving back to the community. hour on the first Friday of every month, this normally docile bookstore transforms into a during the summer, so it was organic in that it came lively scene of education and fun. Young children are about because of students’ interests.” rapt with attention as college students lead them in The goal of this program is twofold—it serves as a stories, songs, discussion, and crafts. community event that helps prepare young children These aren’t just any college students; they’re for school by exposing them to educational songs ATPE members from Texas Women’s University and stories, and it also provides an opportunity for (TWU)—aspiring educators hoping to give back to TWU’s future educators to get experience working their community while gaining a few new skills that with children in an educational environment before they can apply to their future careers. The TWU they begin their student teaching. Senior Bethany reading program, hosted by the campus’s ATPE Powell, the chapter’s vice president of event planning, chapter, is held monthly during the school year says the reading program has taught her about how and weekly during summers. More than 10 children, to engage students and has helped her become mostly toddlers, have arrived on this fall morning, steadily more comfortable working with kids and but the event typically attracts a range of children, interacting with parents. “This is one of the first from infants to school-age. Sitting on their parents’ classroom environments I was in when I began my laps or child-sized wooden benches, the children sing program, and it was just a really great way to get and laugh along with each story, song, and question. started.”

And their college student leaders, glowing with When the story and song component of the excitement, clearly relish this hands-on opportunity program is over, Bethany effortlessly directs the to work with children in the community. children to the craft area by encouraging them to As TWU students take turns reading books and walk like a turkey, one of the characters in the last leading the children in songs, their audience erupts book read. Transitions like this are one of the many with laughter and commentary (“I like that book!”). skills that the ATPE members get to practice during Every part of this event—from the selected stories, the reading program. Like any other craft, teaching songs, and crafts to the official debriefing in which can be very different in theory than it is in practice.

TWU students discuss what they have learned—is The Barnes and Noble reading program gives TWU’s orchestrated by the college students. Two professors ATPE members the opportunity to see how the skills in the school’s Department of Teacher Education, and theories they have discussed in class play out in Drs. Rebecca Fredrickson and Sarah McMahan, serve reality—and this practice gives them a stronger start as co-sponsors of TWU’s ATPE chapter, but the to their careers. event itself relies on their students’ hard work. Dr. Having been involved with the program since its McMahan explains that when the program started more than five years ago, TWU’s ATPE members were inception, Dr. McMahan can attest to the changes she has seen in her students. “They’re learning to teach, the driving force behind its initiation: “The students and they’re getting very good feedback, and getting wanted to have an opportunity to work with kids

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to practice it before they’re graded on it or do it for real. I think it’s been a very powerful experience for them.

It’s not just a reading program, there’s a lot more to it.”

The children, gobbling like turkeys, arrive at the craft area, where they are presented with the supplies to make pumpkin suncatchers. Parents and TWU students assist the children as they affix orange and yellow tissue paper squares to pumpkin-shaped contact paper. The activity is a hit.

Eventually, one by one, the children, armed with their handmade suncatchers, wander away, their parents calling out a quick thanks to the students who have made the event possible. After the last child leaves the craft area, the TWU students and their mentors take this time, while today’s program is fresh in their memories, to host a quick debriefing session. Bethany and her fellow leaders guide the conversation with a series of questions: What went well? What could have been improved upon? What can you apply to your future classroom?

Although the group agrees that the event went well, individual students pipe up with areas where they would like to see improvement. Increasing engagement is cited as the biggest concern, and

together the group brainstorms techniques to try in next month’s event. The more experienced students suggest increasing volume, tipping books downward to face students, and walking around the room while reading as ways to combat child fatigue.

Dr. McMahan is impressed by the amount of improvement her students show from month to month, and today’s event is no exception. She hopes eventually to extend the program to a more diverse audience and is optimistic about the program because she believes in her students. “We don’t get any money for this. The students don’t get anything, they don’t get a grade; it isn’t a requirement. They want to keep learning, and they want to get better.

They want to strengthen their knowledge and skills, which is what it’s all about as an educator— continuous improvement.”

Bethany is also pleased with today’s event. She’ll begin her student teaching soon, and although she is nervous, her experience with the TWU reading program has helped her feel more prepared for the classroom. “I’ve never had a bad experience here.

It’s a very safe place to start breaking the ice and become involved in the community.”

1. Linda Robinson (Shear Elementary Librarian), Taylor Suarez (ASE Project Manager), Dr. Kaye Busiek (ASE Sponsor), Mary Salvosa, and Tiffany Nguyen 2. Shelby Campbell, Annaliese Schuler, and Jordan Hendricks 3. Lone Star College students prepared Jared Boxes that they delivered to children at their local hospital.

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EAST TEXAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY While TWU students were reading to local children, ATPE members almost 200 miles away, at East Texas Baptist University (ETBU), were serving food to the children in their community. ATPE members spent the first Friday in October volunteering at the Fall Festival for South Marshall Elementary in Marshall, Texas. Members served parents, teachers, students, and other community members at the festival’s hamburger supper, a fundraiser for the school.

ETBU’s ATPE chapter has been struggling for a few years, and president Rachel Sirman believed a group volunteer effort could be key to getting membership back on track. “Since our unit is being built back up, we were looking for something to get involved in, and we knew we wanted to do something for the local schools,” said Rachel, an ETBU senior who plans to teach Head Start, kindergarten, or first grade.

The Fall Festival turned out to be a great match for the students. ATPE members stayed busy the whole evening and enjoyed building connections with community members.

Although the group hopes to get their own service project off the ground in the coming years, for now, they are thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved in their community schools. Rachel, for one, plans to find a position in Marshall or the surrounding community after she graduates, and having the opportunity to make a connection with the very students and parents she hopes to soon work with was transformative.

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E T A T S HE

Rachel was most impressed to see first-hand the influence a community can have on its schools, and vice versa, particularly in a Title I area like Marshall.

“Even though it might not seem like a big deal as a teacher to give a student a candy bar, the student sees that as such a big deal,” she says. “They get so happy over the little things.”

The chapter has a lot to be proud of. Despite their challenges, ETBU students have found a way contribute to their local school, and along the way have gained powerful insights into their community and their future profession. At the same time, the group has increased its membership by more than 50 percent over the past year. “We’re a growing unit,” says Rachel. “We’re small but steadily growing and getting ATPE’s name out there.”

HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY When Houston’s Shearn Elementary needed volunteers to help prepare the library for its upcoming book fair, Houston Baptist University (HBU) students were eager to participate. Members of this thriving ATPE chapter, known on campus as the Association of Student Educators (ASE), spent a Saturday morning in November assisting the school’s librarian by unloading boxes of books, organizing tables, and decorating the library. To make this event as successful as possible, ASE partnered with the YMCA of Greater Houston.

ASE members have volunteered for local elementary schools via HBU’s Campus Service Day for years. In addition to the Campus Service Day, ASE members collect box tops for donations to Houston’s Sutton Elementary, contribute to Books for Africa, and read to and tutor local elementary students.

ASE’s project manager, senior Taylor Suarez, coordinates the group’s service projects. Although Taylor admits that getting up early on a Saturday

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S E C R U ERS O S E H R C E A E P AT NEW T FOR YES TEXAS!

The YES Texas!

Advisory Council helps ATPE meet the needs of future, young, and new educators, and makes sure we deliver products that meet those needs. The council meets virtually once a month and in person once a year to discuss needs, ideas, and potential new programs. YES Texas! is just one of the many ways that ATPE works to provide the best chance for young educators to succeed in their profession. At their most recent meeting in January 2016, the YES Texas! Advisory Council gave recommendations for a pilot mentor program, a special session track for university students at the ATPE Summit, and a Facebook group where educators can share and exchange ideas and tips.

YOUR FIRST CLASSROOM

ATPE’s free download, Your First Classroom, is a valuable “quick start” guide for new educators.

It includes checklists for preparing for your first day, tips on managing your classroom, strategies for communicating with parents, and more. Visit www.atpe.org/firstclassroom to download this essential resource.

JOB RESOURCES

Visit ATPE’s Job Search Resources page at www.atpe.org/Resources/Job-Search-Resources to find open positions in schools across the state.

STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS

Educators with certain types of student loans may qualify for partial loan forgiveness, loan deferment, or cancellation benefits. See www. atpe.org/en/Resources/New-Teachers/YESTexas for more information and to find eligibility requirements.

morning can be hard, for her, the rewards of volunteering at a local elementary school are worth it. The Campus Service Day project at Shearn Elementary gave the chapter not only the opportunity to interact with educators in their community but also valuable time to bond with each other. “We meet every other week, but we don’t have enough time to sit back afterward to get to know each other,” says Taylor. “It was a great experience to get to know the people of the community and people in our organization who we don’t always get to talk to.”

When the morning was over, the library was alive with snowflakes, gingerbread houses, and other Christmas-themed decorations, and the books were organized and ready for eager children to peruse them. The sense of excitement and the feeling of accomplishment were palpable among ASE members.

As much as Taylor loved spending time at the school and connecting with her fellow students, for her, the biggest reward was the development of a greater appreciation of her future career. She was inspired by the teachers and staff members she observed giving up their weekends to help their students. “I realized that being a teacher is very selfless,” she said. “It definitely gave me a new perspective.”

Despite this new understanding of the challenges of her future profession, Taylor is unwavering in her commitment to education. “I think I’m up for it,” she said. “I loved it.”

LONE STAR COLLEGE—CYFAIR Officers of the Lone Star College— CyFair ATPE chapter were inspired to arrange a Christmas group volunteer effort after seeing a video promoting the Jared Box Project, a service project in which volunteers assemble boxes of toys and other goods for hospitalized children.

This flourishing ATPE chapter, known as Future Professional Educators (FPE), is heavily involved in several service projects, but this past winter marked their first time volunteering with the Jared Box Project. Members prepared and decorated about 40 Jared Boxes that included toys, books, games, and other gifts for children. They then delivered these boxes, which filled up three whole cars, to their local hospital. continued on pg. 42

30 | atpe.org

atpe news

by Deann Lee, assistant superintendent, Millsap ISD

members speak

Your Dreams Are Waiting

PHOTO BY JOHN KILPPER

I

’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I feel strongly about goal-setting. In 2014, as I was ending my eight years of ATPE state leadership on the board and as an officer, I sought new goals. Knowing I would always be involved in ATPE but also realizing I would have time for fresh endeavors, I assessed where I was on life’s journey of accomplishing my dreams. Age, experience, and (hopefully) maturity do strange things.

Those of you who know me won’t be surprised to hear that years ago I planned a timeline including the steps needed to get where I wanted to go. But, as I entered the last phase of my education career, I looked beyond my timeline and inventoried what truly fulfilled me. Public education is about service and, repeating Robert Shaw’s quote I used in my ATPE presidential speech nearly four years ago, “I WANT TO BE THOROUGHLY USED UP WHEN I DIE.” My quest was to contribute in a district where kids are truly a priority and politics don’t drive decisions.

I left my home of 23 years to move across the state to a rural area where the pay is well below state average and the population of the district is triple that of the town in which it lies. As difficult as the transition was, I found the place where I could serve others with the knowledge gained in my 26 years of education. A year and a half later, I am even more convinced that it is only through the pursuit of our passions that we build up others and thus find our own fulfillment.

So, what are your goals? To run for ATPE state office, earn another endorsement, or become an administrator?

Follow your heart. Your dreams are waiting.

Deann Lee is assistant superintendent for Millsap ISD. She was the 2012-13 ATPE state president and has been an ATPE member for 26 years.

DO YOU HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? Send your Members Speak submissions to comm@atpe.org.

spring 2016

atpe.org | 31

JOIN US FOR THE 2016 ATPE SUMMIT

July 20–22, 2016, at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas LOOKING FOR A REASON TO ATTEND THIS YEAR’S ATPE SUMMIT? HERE ARE FIVE: 1

HAVE FUN! Our lip-sync battle and 70s-themed costume contest and dance party will help you leave your school-year stress behind!

2

BE INSPIRED! Uplifting and engaging keynote speaker Dr. Adolph Brown III will inspire you to connect with your students and colleagues.

3

CELEBRATE! ATPE’s annual Awards Banquet lets you celebrate your friends’ and colleagues’ successes in style.

4

LEARN AND CONNECT! Join your fellow ATPE volunteers for learning opportunities that will help sharpen your local unit and region leadership skills.

5

RELAX! Take time off to relax and enjoy the city of Austin. See the sights, shop, enjoy great food, and take in some live music while you’re here!

To learn more about the 2016 ATPE Summit and find out how you can attend, visit atpesummit.org. Housing and registration/delegate certification are set to open on April 14 and must be completed by June 22.

32 | atpe.org

atpe news

“ SUMMIT for me was just AWESOME! I was new to ATPE and it was my first time at SUMMIT. EVERYONE there just made me feel right at home. Plus, to top off the great experience, I participated in the lip-sync battle and it was the icing on the cake!”

—EDEN RENOVATO, 2015 FIRST-TIME SUMMIT ATTENDEE

2016 ATPE NEED HELP PAYING TO ATTEND SUMMIT? Financial assistance is available to local units (conditions apply). Visit atpesummit.org to find out if your local unit is eligible and how to apply. spring 2016

LEAD. LEARN. CONNECT.

atpe.org | 33

TEXAS EDUCATORS

G I B N I W AT THE CAPITOL

THANKS TO ATPE!

ATPE-PAC PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CANDIDATES AND OFFICEHOLDERS WHO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ATPE’S PHILOSOPHIES. You can make a meaningful impact by investing in a fund that ensures that quality public education and your professional interests are protected during the next legislative session. And now is a critical time to donate.

This is already a very competitive and expensive election year, and it’s more important than ever that we have a strong PAC fund in order to secure greater representation for our

WHEN YOU SUPPORT ATPE-PAC, THIS COULD BE THE END RESULT.

profession at the legislature. Last year, we barely survived multiple attacks on public education— from efforts to do away with teachers’ minimum salary schedule and payroll deduction, to bills to privatize our schools and send billions of tax dollars to unregulated private entities. The well-funded groups that want to destroy Texas public education will be making an even greater push in 2017. That’s why it’s imperative that ATPE-PAC help our pro-public education allies this election year, and we need your help.

Current law prevents us from using membership dues for ATPE-PAC, which is why we rely on voluntary donations.

WILL YOU BACK ATPE-PAC TODAY? The sixth annual PAC’s Peak Challenge is underway, and we need your help to reach the $23,000 goal. You can make a one-time online contribution using a debit or credit card, or set up monthly or quarterly ATPE-PAC donations of as little as $5 by going to atpe.org/PACDonate.

34 | atpe.org

atpe news

your atpe

atpe-pac honor roll

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!

The following ATPE members invested $50 or more in ATPE’s Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) from Oct. 14, 2015, through Dec. 31, 2015.

Alvin

Cypress-Fairbanks

Lackland

Plano

Ron Fitzwater

Stephanie Bailey

Ninfa Aguirre

Dennise Schuler

Leander

Round Rock

Jayne Serna

Joe Gregg

Lewisville

San Antonio Annie Perez

Eli Rodriguez Andrews Tina Hardarson

Ferris Betty McCoy

Boerne Margie Hastings

Grapevine-

Karen Hames

Richard Wiggins

Colleyville

Gerry Hudman San Marcos

Kelley Walker Bryan Sallie McGehee

Lubbock Houston

Ranelle Baldwin Tyler

Gail Hall Carrollton-

Mesquite

Farmers Branch

Humble

Carolyn Kollmeier

Stephanie Baker

Betty Berndt

Carol Davies Waco Nacogdoches

Keri Minier

Genie Rolfe

Irving

Kimberly Dolese

Center

Connie Kilday

Janie Leath

Theresa Wallace

Miranda Madden

Jane Sykes Weslaco Hector Cruz

New Caney Corsicana

Killeen

Julleen Bottoms

Steve Harris

Alice Housel

Gidget Belinoski-

Eileen Walcik

Northside (20)

Crowley

Melissa Walcik

Lisa Gray

Steve Pokluda

Ron Walcik

Bobbye Patton

Invest in the ATPE Political Action Committee today!

It’s easy to set up recurring monthly or quarterly donations online at atpe.org/pac-donate.

spring 2016

Willis Bailey Donna Ward

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

atpe.org | 35

your atpe

family album

OUR FAMILY ALBUM SHOWCASES ATPE MEMBERS WORKING, COLLABORATING, AND HAVING FUN ACROSS THE STATE. Are you or someone you know featured on these pages? If not, send us a photo for the next issue! You can send a high-quality photo to comm@atpe.org. Don’t forget to include the names of the people in the photo and tell us what event was taking place.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF: 1. CYNTHIA VILLALOVOS; 2. DIANE POKLUDA; 3. HEATHER TULEY; 4. CHANA APPLETON; 5. MARY JO BURGESS; 6. CYNTHIA VILLALOVOS; 7. ROGER GUTIERREZ; 8. HEATHER TULEY

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3

4

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5

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atpe news

1 R egion 4 John Thomas, Angelique Suggs, Natalie Melton, and Michael Newman are members of the newly reactivated La Porte ATPE local unit.

2 R egion 11 ATPE members meet for a campus representatives training session in Arlington. From left to right: Stephanie Hudson, Jamie Sullins, Julie Barganier, Leslie Moore, Mindy Johnson, Jo Ferry, and Rachel Donnini.

6

3 R egion 13 ATPE member Rhema Glass (center) shares the benefits of ATPE membership with fellow Austin bus monitors Carlos Vasquez (right) and Nora Gallardo (left).

4 R egion 18 Midland ATPE local unit officers meet to plan events, brainstorm ways to increase visibility in the district, and discuss compliance with new charter standards.

From left to right: Davina Carter, Amanda Courtright, Karen Sullivan, and Gabrielle Paulo.

5 R egion 7 ATPE members gather for the Region 7 fall leadership luncheon.

6 R egion 4 Wanda Giles brought Debra Washington to the Region 4 fall meeting in Houston. Debra was the lucky winner of a door prize and left with a bucket full of ATPE goodies!

7 S an Antonio 7

ATPE members from across the state caught the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks in action during ATPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2nd Annual Spurs Night. From left to right: Ayisha Andrews, Michael Sweet, Roger Gutierrez, Adrian Rodriguez, and Hector Cruz.

8 R egion 13

8

spring 2016

ATPE members from City View ISD at the Texas Computer Education Association's 2016 Annual Convention and Exposition in Austin. From left to right: Crystal Krueger, Krysten Long, and Madison Montgomery.

atpe.org | 37

your atpe

classroom makeover winners

CONGRATULATIONS CLASSROOM MAKEOVER CONTEST WINNERS!

Congratulations to Alexandra Blalock of Dickinson ISD, Kaci Byrom of La Vernia ISD, and Brooke Raney of Goose Creek ISD! Each received a $500 classroom makeover thanks to ATPE. Student teacher members who upgraded to first-time professional members by Sept. 30, 2015, were automatically entered in ATPE’s classroom makeover drawing.

ALEXANDRA BLALOCK transformed her classroom by creating writing offices for students and purchasing dry erase whiteboard supplies!

“I love that I am a part of an organization that values teachers and is always looking for ways to partner with them. My kids were so excited about having their ‘own’ whiteboard to use during lessons.

These are such a great way to keep students engaged and having fun. We have used them for quick quizzes, responding to prompts, and class games. I also was able to create a writing office for each of my students. They love having a place they can go to really focus and dig deep into their writing. They also have great reminders for the students in them!”

KACI BYROM purchased everything from books and binders to stamps and art supplies for her classroom!

“I was able to purchase many things that benefited not only my classroom, but my students as well! I purchased anchor charts, mini handheld whiteboards, books for my classroom library, binders, science center activities, listening center equipment, letter and number stamps, art supplies, and many containers for organization.

My kids noticed right away! They were so excited, their favorite was the mini handheld whiteboards—we use them for everything!

ATPE is a great organization that gives back to teachers. The association provides great benefits and resources!”

BROOKE RANEY’S classroom makeover added up to more math fun and learning for her students!

38 | atpe.org

PHOTOS BY KELLY RINEY

“I was able to purchase several things to enhance learning in my third-grade math class. Some of the things I purchased were electronic flash cards, manipulatives for math centers, and a cubby shelf. My students love the flash cards. They practice multiplication and division facts when they finish their work. They were thrilled when they saw all the new colored pencils and crayons. ATPE gives so much back to teachers! I was a member of ATPE during my student teaching and made the easy choice of continuing my membership during my first year of teaching. Thanks again for the makeover!

atpe news

state committee appointments

your atpe

ATPE members serve on State of Texas committees ATPE is proud of the following members who are serving or have recently served on state committees. These members are volunteering their time and talents to advance their profession.

TEACHER APPRAISAL RULES STEERING COMMITTEE

Ginger Franks, ATPE Regional Rep.

Former ATPE president Ginger Franks was selected to serve on an advisory committee that will recommend language for the rules governing T-TESS, the state’s new recommended teacher appraisal system expected to roll out in 2016-17. Franks is ATPE’s regional representative for regions 5, 6, 7, and 12, and was previously a content mastery/resource teacher in Martinsville ISD. A longtime ATPE member, Franks has more than 30 years of experience teaching all grade levels and areas of special education.

EDUCATOR PREPARATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPAC)

Casey Hubbard, Coppell ISD

Casey Hubbard, Coppell ATPE president, was selected to be on an advisory committee that will make recommendations to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) related to educator preparation and educator preparation programs in Texas.

Hubbard is a middle school special education co-teacher in English language arts and world cultures at Coppell ISD. She uses her nine years of experience as a classroom

spring 2016

teacher and two years as a paraprofessional to weigh in on the variety of issues being considered.

CLASSROOM TEACHER STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Jayne Serna, Leander ISD

ATPE Region 13 Director Jayne Serna served on an SBEC advisory committee that reviewed and made recommendations on classroom teacher standards.

Serna has been an educator for 25 years and has taught a variety of subjects and grade levels. She is currently an AP U.S. History instructor in Leander ISD and an adjunct professor of history at Austin Community College.

CLASSROOM TEACHER STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Tonja Gray, Abilene ISD

ATPE Region 14 Director Tonja Gray also served on the SBEC advisory committee, which was assembled to develop a recommendation to SBEC on

Region 14 Director Tonja Gray, State Secretary Carl Garner, and Region 13 Director Jayne Serna, have all served on committees that help the state of Texas shape policies that affect educators.

whether the current classroom teacher educator standards needed to be updated, revised, replaced, or left alone. Gray is a Literacy Success teacher in Abilene ISD and brought 27 years of experience in education to the committee.

CLASSROOM TEACHER STANDARDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Carl Garner, Mesquite ISD

ATPE Secretary Carl Garner, who served alongside Serna and Gray, said the SBEC advisory committee’s primary purpose was to ensure a set of classroom teacher educator standards that identify the professional expectations of a quality educator.

Garner is the ARD chair and an inclusion/MTI teacher in Mesquite ISD. He has 16 years of experience teaching multiple subjects and grade levels.

If you are interested in volunteering to serve on a state committee, please consider filling out the ATPE Advocacy Volunteer Form at atpe.org/advocacy.

We hope you will get involved in ATPE’s advocacy efforts and be a leader in your profession! atpe.org | 39

your atpe

Keep up with the ATPE Board of Directors Are you interested in becoming an ATPE leader?

Want to keep up with your board? Good news!

ATPE board reports are now available online.

Read about the issues being addressed and actions being taken by the ATPE Board of Directors at atpe.org/Board-Reports.

You can also find out more about your current ATPE leaders by reading the series of posts from board members on the ATPE Blog at atpe.org/News/ATPE-Blog.

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The Sixth-Annual IT'S TIME TEXAS Summit

August 1st-2nd, 2016 Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio TX

Register by May 20th at an Early Bird Rate: www.itstimesummit.com Powered By:

40 | atpe.org

atpe news

your atpe

LEAVE ME IN THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE! Once you’ve read through this issue of ATPE News, why not share the magazine with your colleagues? Here are some reasons to share the magazine with your fellow educators.

•E veryone on campus should know the importance of protecting their career*. ATPE is the best association for the job.

• Your colleagues can learn about new teaching resources and catch up on education news.

• ATPE’s lobbyists and attorneys take you behind the scenes of their work for Texas educators and students.

• It’s a window into what’s happening at other campuses and in other classrooms across Texas. *Eligibility, terms, and conditions apply.

CORRECTION: In the Winter ATPE News Spotlight, we incorrectly reported Sharon Herrera’s title. Sharon is the Fort Worth ISD student engagement school completion specialist, and she serves as a commissioner on the City of Fort Worth Human Relations Commission. We regret the error.

36 OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE

TH

Annual Meeting of the ATPE House of Delegates The ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) will meet during the 2016 ATPE Summit this July 20-22 at the Austin Convention Center. HOD proceedings, including state officer elections, will occur July 22.

Please visit atpesummit.org for more information about the summit and the HOD, including delegate certification information.

The wording of proposed bylaws changes will be published in the Summer 2016 ATPE News and will be made available at atpesummit.org at least 45 days prior to the HOD meeting.

This notice is published pursuant to Article IX, Section 4, of the ATPE State Bylaws.

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spring 2016

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continued from page 13 YOUR ALLY YOUR VOICE The easiest way to find these proposed changes is to visit the TEA website at tea.texas.gov. Go to “About TEA,” select “Laws and Rules” and then either “Commissioner Rules” or “SBEC Rules.” Scroll down to the “Proposed Rules” link. Under each rule, there is an option to send public comment. Before you click there, remember to write down the name of the rule and what part of it you think is problematic. The site creates an email addressed to the TEA’s rules section, but it doesn’t automatically write in the specific rule you are looking into.

As your ally and your voice, ATPE provides input regarding new education-related rules. But don’t let that stop you from voicing your own opinion as well!

continued from page 21 DANCING WITH THE DAFFODILS students also. I say, “This is the most important part of your journey. Don’t forget all the lessons you’ve learned, but remember you have to work hard.”

One student’s mother told me that when her son was choosing courses for eleventh grade, his counselor told him his course load was too difficult.

He said to his mom, “Mrs. Balakrishnan taught me to challenge myself. I am ready to be challenged.” I get goose bumps when I hear things like that. That is when I know I’ve been successful.

continued from page 25 NAVIGATING THE HEALTHCARE MAZE healthcare situation. “We’re paying more and getting less,” she says. “We have fewer choices because HISD, like every other employer in Texas, is cutting the benefits to keep costs lower. And at this point, people are going to have to change their mindset and take responsibility for their own health and well-being.”

“The only way to avoid astronomical healthcare costs is to keep yourself healthy,” she continues. “How do you get people to start thinking that way? If someone tells me ‘I’m always tired,’ or ‘I get headaches,’ then I’ll ask, ‘Did

42 | atpe.org

you get enough rest? How many hours? What are you eating?’ Kids are Google savvy, so I’ll tell them to search the Internet, find out the answers, and then come and tell me what they learned.” Cano also works to be sure that school district employees understand what resources are available to them. And she teaches them to use the system, because, she says, “School nurses are now on the front lines.”

Many thanks to Houston ATPE members Amelia Cano, Mary Gibson, Ruby Blackmon, Sharon Gerstacker, Dawn Martinez, Marlene Studivant-Moore, and to ATPE Regional Representative Cynthia Villalovos, for assistance with this article.

continued from page 30 OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AND INTO THE COMMUNITY For FPE members, the thrill of giving was addictive.

“We just wanted to keep making more boxes and bringing them in,” said sophomore Cassandra Partida, FPE’s secretary. “We realized that anything we do makes a difference, even if it’s just a little.” The event was such a success that immediately after its completion, the group decided to assemble and deliver more boxes in the spring. For their next effort, Cassandra says she would like to see the group surpass their current expectations: “I would love if we could set a goal for ourselves to do even more boxes than we did last time.”

In addition to the Jared Box Project, FPE members regularly tutor at local schools and volunteer at Reach Unlimited, a group home for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “We try to jump at volunteer opportunities,” said Cassandra. “Since we want to teach, it’s really nice to volunteer in a school and see how other teachers manage their classrooms.”

Being part of FPE provides opportunities for Cassandra and her fellow students to give back to their community on a larger level and to continue sharpening the skills they will need for their future profession—but it’s about building connections, too. “We’ve become closer through volunteering and through attending the ATPE Summit,” said Cassandra. “It’s a great environment to be around people who have the same ambitions as you.”

atpe news

by Gary G. Godsey

for the record

THE FUTURE OF ATPE Think back to 1980. The Internet hadn’t made it to homes or offices yet, email was still being developed, and social media didn’t exist. Instead of smart phones, we had pay phones on every corner. This is the world that ATPE was founded in, and the world that our business practices were developed for.

W

e had 30 years of overwhelming success and very little change. But in 2011, when the Texas legislature drastically cut public school funding, ATPE suffered a setback that should have served as our wakeup call.

Today, ATPE faces not only public education funding challenges but also a changing business environment. We communicate differently, and we volunteer differently. Members tell us they already have too many demands on their time to take on ATPE’s traditional volunteer roles.

ATPE’s House of Delegates meets only once a year to conduct ATPE business. But to succeed in today’s competitive environment, where information can be shared instantaneously, we must make business decisions more quickly. The organizational model that we developed in 1980 served us well for many years, but simply isn’t allowing us to be as effective as we need to be.

Consider the case of Kodak. They were an American icon, a flourishing company that seemed unstoppable. But, ultimately, their inability to adapt to a changing world led to their downfall. Nimble competitors took their place in the new, digital market. Like Kodak, ATPE had an impressive period of growth, but now we need to re-examine ourselves to remain relevant.

spring 2016

The things that our dedicated members love about ATPE—the sense of family and our commitment to Texas public schools—will never change. But to ensure ATPE can continue to do the same good work it always has, we have to reconsider some of our business practices. I have had many long-time ATPE members say to me, “What we are doing now is working just fine.”

While I respect their opinion, the fact is, we are trying to save ATPE from being another Kodak.

Change will come to ATPE one way or another— it is up to us to ensure that it is proactive rather than reactive. I am hopeful we will be able to work together to change in order to protect what our founders sought to achieve: our commitment to being the preeminent education organization in Texas.

ATPE needs motivated leaders now more than ever to ensure our organization will succeed for the next 35 years. Elections are fast approaching for state, regional, and local officers. Please ask yourself: are you that leader?

Gary G. Godsey ATPE Executive Director

atpe.org | 43

Association of Texas Professional Educators

305 E. Huntland Dr., Suite 300 Austin, TX 78752-3792

Already thinking about

SUMMER BREAK? Before you kick up your heels, join or renew your membership with the state’s largest and most influential educator association. And have peace of mind knowing we never take a break from working for you.

Join early starting April 1 and enjoy ATPE’s savings and discounts, professional learning, and publications for a longer time—at no additional cost. Enjoy professional liability insurance and employment rights defense coverage* starting Aug. 1, 2016.

(800) 777-2873 | ATPE.ORG

ATPE-FOUNDED BY TEXAS EDUCATORS. WORKING FOR TEXAS EDUCATORS. * Eligibility, terms, and conditions apply.