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2021 ATPE Summit
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ATPE members gathered virtually July 12–15 for the 2021 ATPE Summit—the association’s annual leadership training and governance conference. This year’s event focused on making new connections and invigorating inspiration that may have dwindled after a tough school year. Thanks to videoconferencing and online election software, ATPE members received training to help them successfully run ATPE local units and regions, listened to a legislative update from Governmental Relations, participated in the House of Delegates (HOD) meeting, and elected state officers. July 15 also marked a special one-day professional development event, Inspired, that featured a variety of sessions from ATPE’s professional learning partners, allowing attendees to earn continuing professional education credit.
The next few pages highlight leaders, members, and supporters who are making a difference in ATPE and their communities. You will also find information about decisions made during the HOD. Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2021 ATPE Summit.
Nomination/Election Committee
Chair Rebecca Monsevalles, Sara Connaway, Sarah Czar, Christina Flores, Carl Garner, Lisa Hinojosa, and Debbie Williamson
Acknowledgments
Thank you to our generous corporate and association partners.
Corporate partners
Frost Bank, RBFCU
Association partners
It’s Time Texas, Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented, TCEA, Texas Association of Future Educators, and Texas ASCD
Ad Hoc Committee on Governance
Chair Dale Lovett, Gail Adlesperger, Augustine Anduiza, Cindy Chapman, David de la Garza, Kimberly Dolese, Cesarea Germain, Tonja Gray, Karen Hames, Allyson Haveman, Byron Hildebrand, Maya Issac, Jimmy Lee, Meredith Malloy, Ryan Nassif, Charles Pickitt, Michael Robinson, Jayne Serna, Eduardo Sierra, Mandy Vahrenkamp, Ron Walcik, Stacey Ward, Shane Whitten, Richard Wiggins, and Betty Gail Wood-Rush
Bylaws Committee
Chair Dale Lovett, Augustine Anduiza, Cesarea Germain, Maya Issac, Meredith Malloy, Ryan Nassif, Michael Robinson, and Eduardo Sierra
Educator of the Year Committee
Chair Jenna Norris, Erika Mitcham, Rhonda Smith, Cindy Stouff, and Greg Vidal
Leader of the Year Committee
Chair Scoie Green, Stefani Johnson, Teresa Millard, Opal Mobbs, Edana Slaight, and Kimberly Woerner
Legislative & PAC Committees
Chair Jason Forbis, Elizabeth Abrahams, Donnetta Allen, Alyce Bell, Betty Berndt, Sandra Bounds, Jose Delgado, Suellen Ener, Twila Figueroa, Nicole Fuller, Jackie Hannebaum, Lotus Hoey, Scott Mathis, Michael Perez, Katrina Price, Abigail Ramford, Abby Rogers, Kristel Sexton, Jayne Serna, Elizabeth Sunderland, and Tami Wilkinson
Resolutions Committee
Chair Stephanie Stoebe, Sue Ambrus, Allen Bettis, Wendy Cook, Misael DeLeon, Karen Hill, Phyllis Jarzombek, David Ochoa, Felicia Robinson, and Susan Samson
House of Delegates
ATPE’s annual House of Delegates meeting reflects our member-governed philosophy. At the HOD, delegates representing their local units and regions vote for ATPE’s next leaders and determine policies that will guide our association. This year, delegates met July 13 and 14 to hear candidates for state office speak and to consider bylaws amendments and honorary, current, and standing resolutions; the ATPE Legislative Program; and other agenda items.
Bylaws Amendments
The HOD adopted eight bylaws amendments that transfer authority over the bylaws from the House of Delegates to the ATPE Board of Directors, ensuring compliance with the Texas Business Organizations Code. Learn more at atpe.org/bylaws.
Resolutions
The HOD readopted 13 standing resolutions and voted to allow current resolutions 1, 2, 3, and 4 to expire. Members can read the resolutions at atpe.org/hod. The HOD also adopted an honorary resolution recognizing Past State President Tonja Gray for her service to ATPE.
ATPE Legislative Program
The ATPE Legislative Program outlines the association’s legislative priorities and guides ATPE Governmental Relations in its advocacy efforts. The HOD adopted the 2021-22 ATPE Legislative Program. Visit atpe.org/leg-program to review the program.
2020-21 Awards
ATPE honored educators, students, ATPE leaders, and education journalists at the summit.
Charles Pickitt Educator of the Year Award
The Charles Pickitt Educator of the Year Award recognizes ATPE members who demonstrate exceptional or innovative capabilities in their respective educational fields.
Administrator of the Year
Bruce Wilson
Corpus Christi ISD
Finalists: Domingo Villarreal, La Joya ISD, and Ramiro Pena, Banquete ISD
Associate of the Year
Madonna Felan
Northside (20) ISD
Finalists: Hilda Martinez, La Joya ISD, and San Juana Mercado, Edinburg CISD
Elementary Teacher of the Year Secondary Teacher of the Year
Sarah “Sally” Hunter
Austin ISD
Finalists: Christina “Chrissy” Leal, San Antonio ISD, and Michael Renteria, Amarillo ISD
Kimberly Grosenbacher
Boerne ISD
Finalists: Kally Evans, Willis ISD, and Roya Dinbali, Nacogdoches ISD
Special Services Educator of the Year
Audrey G. Young Nacogdoches ISD
Finalists: Myra Rodriguez-Berrones, Zapata ISD, and Yvonne Frate, Killeen ISD
Floyd Trimble Local Unit of the Year Awards
The ATPE Local Unit of the Year Award acknowledges local unit efforts and accomplishments during the year.
Local Units with 1–200 Members
Krum ATPE
Region 11
2020-21 officers: President Betty Plunkett (pictured), Vice President Tanya Gray, Secretary Shellie Hale, and Treasurer Julie Nabors
Finalists: Lackland ATPE, Stephenville ATPE
Local Units with 201–500 Members
McAllen ATPE
Region 1
2020-21 officers: President Twila Figueroa (pictured), Vice President Maria Trevino, Secretary Maria Guzman, and Treasurer MaElena Ingram Finalists: Galena Park ATPE, Pharr-San JuanAlamo ATPE
Local Units with 501–1,000 Members Local Units with 1,001+ Members University Local Units
Waxahachie ATPE
Region 10
2020-21 officers: President Nora Crist (pictured), Vice President Renee Graff, Secretary Angie McClain, Treasurer Patty Hilton, and Membership Chair Kim Kriegel Finalists: Alief ATPE, Leander ATPE
Edinburg ATPE
Region 1
2020-21 officers: President Antonio Mercado (pictured), Vice President Misael DeLeon, Secretary Amancio Garza, Treasurer Elias Lozano
Finalists: CypressFairbanks ATPE, Northside (20) ATPE
University of St. Thomas ATPE
Region 4
2020-21 officers: President Cynthia Mendoza (pictured), Vice President Monica Hernandez, Secretary Leidy Reyes, and Treasurer Madeleine Yates
Finalists: Tarleton State University ATPE, University of Houston–Downtown ATPE
Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Award
The Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Award acknowledges those special ATPE volunteers who are fundamental to the continued growth and development of our grassroots organization.
Local Units with 1–200 Members
Elizabeth Bitar Kennedale ISD
Finalists: Nicole Edwards, Bandera ATPE, and Myra Rodriguez-Berrones, Zapata ATPE
Local Units with 201–500 Members
Jamie Villarreal
Hays ATPE
Finalists: Rhoda Ard, Lumberton ATPE, and Melanie Gohn, Boerne ATPE
Local Units with 501–1,000 Members
Hilda Martinez La Joya ATPE
Finalists: Rosemary Gonzalez, North East ATPE, and Robin Brown, Waxahachie ATPE
Local Units with 1,001+ Members
Karina Torres
Cypress-Fairbanks ATPE
Finalists: Jay Guerrero, Cypress-Fairbanks ATPE, and San Juana Mercado, Edinburg ATPE
Although the ATPE Summit was virtual this year, some members held watch parties across the state.
2020-21 Political Action Committee Honorees
William B. Travis ATPE-PAC Honorees
William B. Travis Honorees are members who donated $150 or more to ATPE-PAC between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2020. Charlotte Anthony, Betty Berndt, Sherry Boyd, Brenda Bryan, Wendy Cook, Hector Cruz, Ona Beth Day, David de la Garza, Sharon Dixon, Deryl Elms, Robert Evans, Madonna Felan, Twila Figueroa, Ron Fitzwater, Jason Forbis, CaRita Forte, Ginger Franks, Carl Franks, Brenda Fuller, Nichole Gambulos, Yessica Garza, Patti Gibbs, Sharon Ginn, Tiffiiany Godley, Jennifer Grady, Tonja Gray, Bill Griffin, Karen Hames, Crystal Hammill, Margaret Hastings, Allyson Haveman, Jean Henderson, Byron Hildebrand, Shannon Holmes, Charles Huebel, Maria Elena Ingram, Phyllis Jarzombek, Kate Johanns, Stefani Johnson, Darlene Kelly, Connie Kilday, Deann Lee, Jimmy Lee, Sondra Lewis, Jerrica Liggins, Glenda Loftin, Dale Lovett, Meredith Malloy, Katy Matthews, Shawna Mayerson, Antonio Mercado, Evelyn Miles-Hoskin, Teresa Millard, Donald Milner, Roger Moralez, Russell Mullins, Teri Nail, Ryan Nassif, Lynn Nutt, Bobbye Patton, Dominic Perez, Deborah Pleasant, Betty Plunkett, Steve Pokluda, Abigail Ramford, Dianne Reed, Michael Renteria, Jennifer Richter, Dawn Riley, Brooke Roberts, Lindsay Robinson, Eli Rodriguez, Abby Rogers, Michelle Ruddell, Gayle Sampley, Gary Schepf, Jayne Serna, Mauro Sierra, Edana Slaight, Maria Slette, Shelia Slider, Debra Smith, Wendy Smith, Christie Smith, Samuel Spurlock, Becky Spurlock, Cathy Stolle, Michael Sweet, Judi Thomas, Greg Vidal, Colleen Vigil, Eileen Walcik, Melissa Walcik, Ron Walcik, Stacey Ward, Virginia Welch, Katherine Whitbeck, Shane Whitten, Richard Wiggins, David Williams
Stephen F. Austin ATPE-PAC Honorees
The members below have contributed the following cumulative amounts to ATPE-PAC since July 1997.
$10,000 – PAC Hall of Fame
Twila Figueroa, Ginger Franks, Gayle Sampley*, Richard Wiggins *This year’s newest inductee.
$5,000
Eileen Walcik, Melissa Walcik
$2,500
Jason Forbis, Deann Lee, Dale Lovett, Meredith Malloy, Lynda Stark, Judi Thomas
$1,500
Sarah Beal, Deryl Elms, Sheila Fields, Carl Franks, Bill Griffin, Carol Phelps, Dawn Riley, Lindsay Robinson, Eugenia Rolfe, Wendy Smith, Jane Sykes, Virginia Welch
$500
Barbara Graham, Kate Johanns, Kristin Kilday, Barbara Lebold, Carolyn Little, Glenda Loftin, Shawna Mayerson, Donald Milner, Dominic Perez, Charles Pickitt, Abigail Ramford, Edana
ATPE state officers conducted the House of Delegates from San Antonio.
Slaight, Maria Slette, Debra Smith, Stephanie Stoebe, Johanna Ullrich, Roberto Villanueva
Davy Crockett Fundraising Challenge
This challenge was established to recognize the regions and local units that raise the most money per member for ATPE-PAC.
Region, 10,001 or more members
Region 10
Region, 10,000 or fewer members
Region 20
Local unit, 1–200 members
Woden ATPE
Local unit, 201–500 members
Boerne ATPE
Local unit, 501+ members
Humble ATPE
ATPE-PAC Statesman Award
The ATPE-PAC Statesman Award honors ATPE members who have donated $20 or more to the ATPEPAC for 12 consecutive months.
Charlotte Anthony, Julleen Bottoms, Sherry Boyd, Brenda Bryan, David de la Garza, Twila Figueroa, Ron Fitzwater, Carita Forte, Brenda Fuller, Bill Griffin, Shannon Holmes, Darlene Kelly, Jerrica Liggins, Glenda Loftin, Dale Lovett, Meredith Malloy, Roger Moralez, Bobbye Patton, Deborah Pleasant, Steve Pokluda, Jennifer Richter, Dawn Riley, Brooke Roberts, Lindsay Robinson, Eli Rodriguez, Jayne Serna, Wendy Smith, Becky Spurlock, Samuel Spurlock, Judi Thomas
ATPE’s Top Recruiter
ATPE’s recruitment challenge, One New = $10 for You, is designed to encourage new member recruitment by recognizing and rewarding successful recruiters. Rachel Melancon, Dallas ATPE Meet your 2021-22 state officers, from left to right: President Karen Hames, Lewisville ATPE; Vice President Stacey Ward, Humble ATPE; Secretary Jayne Serna, Leander ATPE; Treasurer Jason Forbis, Midway (12) ATPE; and Immediate Past State President Jimmy Lee, Paris ATPE.
Judy Coyle Texas Liberty Award
The Judy Coyle Texas Liberty Award is ATPE’s highest honor and is presented to individuals demonstrating superior service to public education, often over an extended period of time. It is named after ATPE founding member Judy Coyle. This year, ATPE awarded its highest honor to all Texas public school employees in recognition of their extraordinary service and dedication to students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alafair Hammett Media Award
Named for ATPE’s first state president, this award recognizes individual local media reporters for their outstanding support and coverage of public education. The 2021 recipient is: Alex Caprariello, KXAN News
Staff Service Awards
Congratulations to the following staff members honored during the summit for their 120 years of combined service.
5 years of service
Anna Belle Burleson Kelly Curtis Ginger Franks Jeff Kelly Vanessa Salazar
10 years of service
Steve Lockwood Mary Rivera
15 years of service
Lance Cain James Callaway
20 years of service
John Kilpper
30 years of service
Stephanie Williams
