Fall 2023 ATPE News

ATPE News SCHOLASTIC ESPORTS PROGRAMS:

TAKING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TO ANOTHER LEVEL

A traditional sports coach is using his talents to build a new program and already seeing great success in Edinburg CISD.

FALL 2023 | ATPE.ORG

PAGE 15

EASY STEPS FOR 10 THREE TURNING ANGER INTO

ACTION AT THE CAPITOL

DISTRICT’S FIGHT ATPE 12 ONE 18 2023 AGAINST STUDENT SUMMIT HOMELESSNESS

HIGHLIGHTS

Why is ATPE the No. 1 choice of Texas educators?

you don’t get “ Because a bill in the mail later.

”

Did you know the median hourly rate for an attorney in Texas is more than $250? That’s more than the annual cost ($235) of a 2023-24 ATPE professional membership—and in one hour, you would hardly have time to explain the employment situation you are facing, let alone discuss potential solutions.

That’s why ATPE membership provides such an incredible value to Texas educators. In addition to ATPE’s public education advocacy, professional learning opportunities, and exclusive menu of services and discounts, eligible members have access to professional liability insurance and employment rights protection benefits* that include: •U p to $8 million in professional liability insurance, subject to policy limits.

•E mployment rights defense insurance that pays attorney fees for eligible members, win or lose, in defense of covered employment action claims.

Separate from the insured benefits, ATPE employs more staff attorneys than any other Texas educator association to assist eligible members with employment-related legal concerns. ATPE’s assistance is quick, confidential, available in English or Spanish, and included in your annual membership dues.

— CLARICE CROSS middle school science teacher, Plano

Still Need to Renew?

If you are not on rollover (auto-renewal), please log in to your member profile at atpe.org to renew today.

Questions? Email members@atpe.org or call (800) 777-2873. *Eligibility, terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit atpe.org/protection to view important disclosures and current program details. Staff attorney services are provided separate from the Educators Professional Liability Insurance Program.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

ATPE News The official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators

State Officers

Jayne Serna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . President, Leander (13) Jason Forbis. . . . . . . . Vice President, Midway (12) Jerrica Liggins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary, Paris (8) Eli Rodriguez . . . Treasurer, Cypress-Fairbanks (4)) Stacey Ward. . . . . . . . . Past President, Humble (4)

Board of Directors

Twila Figueroa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McAllen (1) Adriane Taylor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corpus Christi (2) Sean Douglas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cuero (3) Vacant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pending special election Christy Skinner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lumberton (5) Donna Ward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willis (6) Teresa Millard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Woden (7) Abby Rogers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paris (8) Denise Sanders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vernon (9) Wanda Bailey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mesquite (10) Christopher Adams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crowley (11) Christina Flores. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Riesel (12) Stephanie Stoebe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Round Rock (13) Leslie Ward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Merkel (14) Betty Gail Wood-Rush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Early (15) Sherry Boyd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spearman (16) Abigail Ramford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lamesa (17) Gail Campos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Spring (18) Robert Zamora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clint (19) Laura Herrera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North East (20)

ATPE News Staff

David George. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor John Kilpper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Art Director Michael Spurlin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Editor Jack Densmore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Editor Jennifer Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Digital Editor Marjorie Parker. . . . . . . . . . . Contributing Designer Kate Johanns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial Director 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. Advertising rates may be obtained by contacting comm@atpe.org. 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 2023 in USA by the Association of Texas Professional Educators ISSN ©ATPE 2023 0279-6260 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300 Austin, TX 78752-3792 (800) 777-ATPE (2873) atpe.org | atpe@atpe.org

W

elcome back, ATPE family! Nothing in the universe moves faster than time in the summer.

I hope you were able to relax and recharge with family and friends and that you are excited about the 2023-24 school year. I was so glad to see so many of you at the amazing 2023 ATPE Summit at Kalahari in Round Rock. Many thanks to the stellar ATPE staff for putting together such a wonderful event. I was honored and excited to be elected to serve as your 2023-24 ATPE state president.

As the school year begins, don’t forget to ask your colleagues and friends to join ATPE. Your personal invitation is always the best referral. They will greatly appreciate the discounts, advocacy, and legal protection. Let your co-workers know why you are a member of ATPE! Last spring, our Past State President Stacey Ward came to you noting that because the Legislature was in session, you needed to stay informed about the political decisions that affect our profession. As the series of special sessions continues through the fall, I would urge you to do the AS THE SCHOOL YEAR same, using excellent tools such as BEGINS, DON’T FORGET TO ATPE’s TeachtheVote.org, Advocacy ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES Central, the weekly Teach the Vote email, and updates that our amazing AND FRIENDS TO JOIN Governmental Relations team sends ATPE. YOUR PERSONAL out. I would also urge you to do someINVITATION IS ALWAYS thing I began doing a few years back— THE BEST REFERRAL. making a monthly contribution to the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC). There is no better financial investment in the future of our organization, profession, or public school system in Texas. And for the price of a trip or two to Sonic or Starbucks each month, we can have a powerful impact.

I cannot thank each of you enough for all that you do for your schools, families, and communities. Have a wonderful fall semester. Take care of yourselves as you take care of your students, and please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you!

Jayne Serna ATPE President

ATPE NEWS 3

Contents ATPE NEWS | Fall 2023 Volume 44, Number 1

15 FEATURES

12

15

Several factors have caused student homelessness to increase in Texas. Fortunately, organizations all over the state are hard at work to help these students, and they could use your support.

Scholastic esports programs are growing rapidly across the state, and in Edinburg CISD, a traditional sports coach is using his talents to build a new program and already seeing great success.

Round Rock ISD Community Fights Ongoing Student Homelessness Crisis

4 ATPE NEWS

Scholastic Gaming Programs: Taking Student Engagement to a New Level

EVERYTHING ELSE 6 Calendar 7 Your Ally

2023 Legislation Affecting Educators’ Employment Rights

12

8 Regional Roundup 10 Your Voice

SPECIAL SECTIONS

Three Easy Steps for Turning Anger into Action at the Capitol

18 2023 ATPE Summit Wrap-Up

Image adapted by John Kilpper from photo by Robert Williamson; Photo courtesy of the Project Red team

ATPE members made the trek July 10–12 to Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock for the 2023 ATPE Summit.

Catch highlights of the event, including volunteer training, a couldn’t-miss legislative update, the 2023 ATPE House of Delegates, and professional learning. Plus, meet our 2022-23 ATPE award winners.

11 PAC Honor Roll 28 Your ATPE

Gen ATPE Program I One New = $10 for You l ODP Business Solutions l 2023-24 Leadership ATPE Cohort l Update to Membership Dues I ATPE Staff Member Recognized

by Tarleton State University

26 In Your Neighborhood

Join us as we visit ATPE “neighborhoods” all over Texas to get an inside look at what volunteers are doing to recruit, retain, and rejoice with their fellow ATPE members.

31 In Memoriam

Remembering past Region 5 Director Bill Moye

35 Volunteer Spotlight 

Meet La Joya ISD career and technical education teacher Artemio Cantu, ATPE’s 2022-23 Campus Rep of the Year for local units with 501–1,000 members.

THE ATPE VISION The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) supports the state’s largest community of educators who are dedicated to elevating public education in Texas.

THE ATPE MISSION ATPE advocates for educators and delivers affordable, high-quality products and services that give members the peace of mind needed to inspire student success.

ATPE NEWS 5

CALENDAR SEPT. 30 Last day to join ATPE or renew to avoid 30-day wait for employment rights defense insurance to be effective*

November 3

Last day of early voting

5

Daylight saving time ends

6–10

School Psychology Week

September

October

State Board of Education meeting

2

Aug. 29–Sept. 1 4

State office closed for Labor Day

14–15

Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees meeting

17

Constitution Day

22–23

ATPE Board of Directors meeting (Austin)

28–29

State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) meeting

30

Last day to join ATPE or renew to avoid 30-day wait for employment rights defense insurance to be effective*

National Principal Month

School Custodian Appreciation Day

10

Last day to register to vote in the Nov. 7 general election

23

First day of early voting

27

Last day for ballot-by-mail applications to be received

31

Deadline for first-time professional members to join ATPE; One New = $10 for You submissions due

TRS COLA on the ballot

7

Election Day

13

ATPE Board of Directors meeting (virtual)

14–17

State Board of Education meeting

17

Substitute Appreciation Day

22–24

State office closed for Thanksgiving break

ATPE Awards Nominations Due Dec. 1 Nomination deadline for Educator of the Year, Local Unit of the Year, and Campus Rep of the Year awards

*Eligibility, terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit atpe.org/protection to view important disclosures and current program details. Staff attorney services are provided separate from the Educators Professional Liability Insurance Program.

6 ATPE NEWS

YOUR ALLY

2023 Legislation Affecting Educators’ Employment Rights

D

uring its regular session, the 88th Legislature added new rights and protections for educators, lessened workloads in some areas, and provided additional safety measures. It also changed certain educator duties and responsibilities. The following recaps new legislation affecting educators’ employment rights.

SYLVIA MARTINEZ-HALEY ATPE Senior Staff Attorney

SCHOOL SAFETY House Bill (HB) 3, the new Texas Education Code (TEC) 22.904, requires employees who interact regularly with students to complete mental health training on students experiencing mental health or substance use issues who may pose a school safety threat. Employees may earn continuing professional education (CPE) hours, and those who have taken similar training are exempt.

MANDATORY REPORTING Educators have 48 hours to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Department of Family and Protective Services or law enforcement. HB 63 amends Texas Family Code 261.104 and 261.201 prohibiting an individual from making an anonymous child abuse or neglect report to the department.

HB 4545 MODIFICATIONS HB 1416 amends TEC 28.0211, the statute covering HB 4545 accelerated instruction tutoring.

Requirements for student achievement on state assessments are halved from 30 to 15 hours unless a student performs “significantly below satisfactory.” Teachers may work with four students instead of three.

OPEN EDUCATION RESOURCE/CURRICULUM HB 1605 establishes an online open education resource for SBOE-approved instructional materials. The goal of the bill is to improve curriculum materials and lessen teacher workloads. Districts

are not required to use these materials, but they are eligible for additional funding if they do.

RESPIRATORY DISTRESS MEDICATION Under Senate Bill (SB) 294, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools may adopt policies regarding the maintenance and administration of respiratory distress medication.

Authorized and trained employees and volunteers may administer this medication without parental written notice, but parental notifications are required afterward.

OPIOID ANTAGONISTS (E.G., NARCAN) Per SB 629, school districts must adopt maintenance, administration, and disposal of opioid antagonist policies at campuses serving grades 6-12 and may do so for lower-grade campuses. Employees and volunteers must be authorized and trained before administering antagonists. Immunity protections apply to a person who in good faith takes, or fails to take, any action related to the maintenance, administration, and disposal of opioid antagonists.

COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION SB 798 removes classroom teaching experience from the qualifications for school counselor certification.

PANIC ALERT TECHNOLOGY SB 838 requires school districts and openenrollment charter schools to provide each classroom with silent panic alert technology beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

CONFIDENTIALITY WHEN REPORTING CAMPUS THREATS SB 1720 allows district employee identities to remain confidential when reporting potential continued on page 32

The legal information provided here is accurate as of the date of publication. It is provided here for informative purposes only. Individual legal situations vary greatly, and readers needing individual legal advice should consult directly with an attorney. Please note: Rights based on the Texas Education Code may not apply to all. Many Texas Education Code provisions do not apply to public charter schools, and public school districts may have opted out of individual provisions through a District of Innovation plan. Eligible ATPE members may contact the ATPE Member Legal Services Department.

ATPE NEWS 7

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

Kansas

T

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

Oklahoma

3 DALLAS

2 4

COMAL

ROUND ROCK

1 SAN ANTONIO

Gulf of Mexic

8 ATPE NEWS

From Across the State TPE Members Receive H-E-B allas ISD Holds 1 AExcellence 3 DMulti-Location in Education Awards Elementary

In May, H-E-B announced the winners of its 2023 Excellence in Education Awards. Three ATPE members received awards, including Alamo Heights ISD member Lisa Barry, who won the Lifetime Achievement in Elementary Award and received a $25,000 cash prize and a $25,000 grant for Woodridge Elementary School. Spring Branch ATPE member Ryan Beeler won the Rising Star Secondary Award and received a $5,000 cash prize and a $5,000 grant for Spring Woods High School.

Lastly, Flour Bluff ISD member Katie Doyle won the Rising Star Elementary Award and received a $5,000 cash prize and a $5,000 grant for Flour Bluff Intermediate School.

“H-E-B has been an amazing partner to Texas educators and students,” Beeler said. atpe.org

Arkansas

Louisiana

exas School Districts 2 TEarn National Recognition

Photos courtesy of H-E-B, Round Rock ISD, Dallas ISD, & Comal ISD

co

HEADLI N ES

Niche, a ranking and review service, recently ranked cities across the country with the best public schools, and the three top Texas cities on its list were The Woodlands at No. 6, Plano at No. 8, and College Station at No. 14. Niche also featured six Round Rock ISD schools in its top 100 in Texas list, including Westwood High School at No. 8 for best public high schools.

Niche’s top 10 public school districts in Texas include Eanes ISD, South Texas ISD, Carroll ISD, Lovejoy ISD, Coppell ISD, Frisco ISD, GrapevineColleyville ISD, Highland Park ISD, and Prosper ISD. roundrockisd.org

Chess Tournament

In May, Dallas ISD held a chess tournament that included elementary students from 104 schools.

The tournament was held at Thomas Jefferson High School and Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy. About 1,600 kindergarten to fifth grade students took part in the tournament. One hundred fifty-nine students won gold medals, 88 won silver, and 509 won bronze. On top of the medals, each school also selected a Most Valuable Player of the Year. dallasisd.org

omal ISD Students Receive 4 C$592,622 in Scholarships

Throughout Comal ISD’s five high schools, students received a total of $592,622 in scholarships from local donors. The scholarships ranged from $50–$16,000. “We continue to be amazed by the generosity of the Comal ISD community, which funds our local scholarships,” Sarah Permenter, executive director of community relations for Comal ISD, said in the district’s article on the scholarships. The scholarship totals exceed the goal set by the district.

“The increase in local scholarships is not by chance,” explained Hilary Griffin, the district’s program coordinator. Comal ISD has focused on building relationships and partnerships within its communities and has worked to streamline the scholarship process for both donors and students.

Griffin works one on one with each donor as well as with each high school campus’ academic and career adviser to ensure the process is easy for both. comalisd.org

When something special happens in your school district, let us know! Send news to comm@atpe.org.

ATPE NEWS 9

YOUR VOICE

Three Easy Steps for Turning Anger into Action at the Capitol

I

BY MONTY EXTER ATPE Governmental Relations Director

10 ATPE NEWS

can identify the moment when, for me, the last elected officials, your House member and your senvestiges of hope that the current cohort of poliator, do not have the ability to pass any legislation ticians might do the right thing by students and on their own. They can file legislation, offer amendeducators died. Toward the end of the second special ments, and vote yes or no. That’s it. If we want to session, the Senate unanimously added a one-time hold elected officials accountable in the upcoming bonus for teachers to the property tax relief bill. special session—when Abbott and Patrick clearly Shortly thereafter, a group of House members called do not intend to accept a teacher pay raise without for adding an even more significant school funding a voucher attached—we must tell legislators we exmeasure to the bill. Don’t get me wrong: It was clear pect them to file bills that would provide education Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wasn’t signifying a newfound funding and an educator pay raise without a vouchpriority on teacher pay. He was using teacher funder. We expect them to vote for providing education ing to goad House leadership into moving on his funding and an educator pay raise without a vouchproperty tax bill, but he was doing so without tying er. And we absolutely expect them to vote against the funding to a private school voucher—and at any bill or amendment that does contain a voucher. least some House members were seeing his bet and If they, as our representatives, do those things, and raising him. Then, the final property tax bill came Abbott, Patrick, and the the pro-voucher minority out, and education funding was nowhere to be seen. insist on vouchers anyway, those elected officials Disappointing, but the who stood with us will still real kicker was when we have earned our support.

THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS heard—on good authorELECTIONS COST MONEY. IF WE Enacting Step One is our ity—that the provision best hope of keeping public WANT TO KEEP THE SUPPORT schools public. It also sets the unanimously added by the Senate had been removed OF CURRENT LEGISLATORS WHO stage to shift from spending because Gov. Greg Abbott PRIORITIZE PUBLIC EDUCATION our time working to defeat made it clear he would AND GROW THEIR RANKS, THEN bad bills to working to pass not sign a property tax bill good ones.

WE MUST HELP THEM FUND that included teacher pay As I have said a lot recently, SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS. or education funding. elections have consequences.

Why, might you ask?

Steps Two and Three will Because he wants to maintain teacher pay and help ensure those consequences are in our favor in education funding as a carrot to pass a voucher in the future, as opposed to the 88th session where we the fall. squandered a $32 billion surplus by spending an If it wasn’t before, it should be clear now the entire session pushing vouchers. governor, lieutenant governor, and those following their lead do not prioritize public education, public 2. GIVE TO THE ATPE POLITICAL educators, or the students they serve. They have zero ACTION COMMITTEE (ATPE-PAC). intention of passing any bills that fund public educaThe simple truth is elections cost money. If we tion except as a bribe to pass vouchers. If that doesn’t want to keep the support of current legislators make you angry, then I don’t know what would. who prioritize public education and grow their How can we translate our anger into constructive ranks, then we must help them fund successful action? We can take three simple steps. campaigns. We are not talking about big dollar donations. If the majority of ATPE members gave as little as $5 a month, we would have one of the 1. CLEARLY COMMUNICATE OUR most formidable PACs in the state. It is hard to EXPECTATIONS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS. overstate the psychological impact this would What does this look like? First, it is imperative to work from the understanding that your individual continued on page 32

PAC HONOR ROLL

Thank you for your investment in Texas public education.

McAllen Twila Figueroa MaElena Ingram Daisy Palomo Belinda Rosa

The following ATPE members donated $50 or more to the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) from April 1 to June 30, 2023.

Alief Barbara Lebold

Community ISD Wendy Smith

Hale Center Sharon Ginn

Alvin Ron Fitzwater

Connally Courtney Jones

Harlandale Jennifer Hill

Amarillo Michael Renteria Shane Whitten

Conroe Cory Colby

Hays Shawna Mayerson

Corsicana Julleen Bottoms

Hempstead Jessica Rutherford

Austin Elizabeth Abrahams Azle Deneen Hampton Brenda Marlett Ballinger Darlene Kelly Boerne Ona Beth Day Richard Wiggins Burleson Crystal Hammill China Spring Dawn Wilson

Cypress-Fairbanks Eli Rodriguez Dallas Maria Slette Ferris Betty McCoy Meredith Malloy Fort Worth Betty Berndt Steve Pokluda Galena Park Sharon Dixon Charlene Macawili Lynn Nutt

Houston Albert Lemons Lynn Phan Humble Gayle Sampley Stacey Ward Ingram Roger Moralez Irving Kelley Walker Katy Janet Godfrey

Killeen Emily Fortune Joanna Trobough Ron Walcik Klein Marsi Thomas Krum Betty Plunkett La Academia de Estrellas Deborah Pleasant La Joya Jesus Garza Norma Vega Lake Worth Brenda Garcia Leander Jayne Serna Lewisville Karen Hames

Mesquite Connie Haas Sharon Nix Erin Young

Plano Joelle Garcia Katy Matthews Lindsay Robinson Rosebud-Lott Beverly Bredemeyer Round Rock CaRita Forte

Midway (12) Jason Forbis

San Antonio Byron Hildebrand

Mission Maria Trevino

Spearman Sherry Boyd

Nacogdoches Katherine Whitbeck

Spring Branch Diann Rugg

Navasota Susan Ambrus New Waverly Gidget Belinoski-Bailey North Lamar Shelia Slider Northside (20) David de la Garza Madonna Felan Rachel Olivarri Laura Talamantes Olney Dale Lovett Becky Spurlock Paris Jerrica Liggins Abby Rogers

Waco Margaret McGinness Windham Jennifer Lorenz Woden Teresa Millard ATPE Staff Shannon Holmes Cynthia Villalovos

See who was honored at the ATPE Summit for their 2021-22 contributions on page 22.

Did you donate during the ATPE Summit?

Look for your name in the next issue. Invest in the ATPE Political Action Committee today! It’s easy to donate at atpepac.givesmart.com.

ATPE-PAC solicits contributions only from members, employees, and their families. Participation in ATPE-PAC is voluntary.

ATPE NEWS 11

Round Rock ISD Community Fights Ongoing Student Homelessness Crisis

BY JACK DENSMORE

Multiple factors, including natural disasters, a global pandemic, and the rise of human trafficking have led to a youth homelessness crisis in Texas.

Fortunately, there are organizations all over the state that are hard at work to help these children, and they could use your support.

12 ATPE NEWS

R

Photo courtesy of the Project Red team

ound Rock ISD’s Families in Transition program and the student-run Project Red, also located in Round Rock, are both fighting to support homeless youth and homeless families in the Central Texas community north of Austin. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was signed into law in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan. This act requires school districts to have a local education liaison to ensure the rights of homeless students are being upheld and help homeless families with education and transportation services. For Round Rock ISD, this requirement is fulfilled through the Families in Transition program. Program coordinator Desiree Viramontes serves as the district’s homeless/foster care liaison and as Project Red sponsor.

Round Rock ISD’s Families in Transition program is located next to Round Rock High School and the Round Rock ISD administration office. The resource center includes a welcome area created through a Girl Scout project, several books, tutoring services, fresh produce donated by local farmers and food banks, a play area, and outside seating for picnicking and for appointments. The building is also equipped with a washer and dryer should families need to complete laundry during their appointments. The program also aids students with several supplies, including backpacks and hygiene kits. The center also has clothes and blankets. The program is supported by Nike, and the center contains a shoe wall as shoes are one of the easiest clothing items to provide to help students blend in.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) released a report in March on youth homelessness in the United States, estimating that 4.2 million youth and young adults are experiencing homelessness in this country and that the number of unaccompanied minors—youth with no family, parent, or guardian—is approximately 700,000. The NCSL estimates that one in 10 adults between the ages of 18–25 and one in 30 youths ages 13–17 will experience homelessness each year. With current classroom sizes in Texas, this can equate to almost one child in every classroom who will experience homelessness.

THE CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS Multiple factors contribute to homelessness in both youth and adults, including natural disasters, global pandemics, human trafficking/sex trafficking, drug abuse, and the foster care system. For example, after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017, an estimated 22,000 youth were homeless in the Houston area,

according to The 74 organization. Before 2017, the population of homeless students in Round Rock was only 600. Since 2017, the number of students experiencing homelessness in Round Rock ISD has increased by approximately 200 each year, with more than 1,000 students currently being served by the district’s outreach.

The district’s youth homeless population is fairly evenly split between elementary and secondary students, with 545 students in pre-K through fifth grade and the rest in middle school and high school.

The COVID-19 pandemic shaped the world in many ways, but one of its most harmful effects was the displacement of families.

Stimulus checks during the pandemic aimed to ease the hardship, but when those benefits ended, many fami“[Human trafficking] lies were once again left in a is something that financial bind. many people are “After that first stimulus not even aware of,” check, what we saw was a Viramontes says. bump of families being able to stabilize with that increase “It’s embedded in of money, like being able affluent neighborhoods and poor neigh- to go into an apartment for borhoods alike. There the first time in a few years,” Viramontes says. “Then, as hasn’t been a year where I haven’t talked the stimulus checks kept going, everything was fine. to or worked with a But during this school year, family that is escaping in particular, we saw a jump those situations.” in our numbers, and there —Desiree Viramontes were no family stimulus Families in Transition checks, and there was a Coordinator, District decrease in the amount of Homeless/Foster Care SNAP food benefits.”

With rising rent, inflation, and an affordable housing crisis, Viramontes believes it is getting harder and harder for families to achieve housing stability.

“It is really impossible to stabilize in our area, in particular,” Viramontes says. “There’s nothing going on in our society at this point—post-COVID—that’s making it any easier for families to stabilize. One thing can throw off a family very, very quickly.”

Another cause of the rise in homeless youth in Texas has been weather events, such as the winter storm in 2021.

“We’ve seen just an increase in natural disasters in the state of Texas since 2017 to the point where now each school year, I don’t know what the natural event is going to be or when it’s going to hit,” Viramontes says.

Saani and Andrew Vu are co-founders of the organization Project Red. The organization originally started in Saani’s  Jishnu garage before expanding into what it is today. The organization works closely in conjunction with Round Rock ISD’s Families in Transition to aid students experiencing homelessness.

ATPE NEWS 13

 The Project Red team conducts

“It just seems like par for the course a canned food and clothing drive that we’re going to have a winter as part of Project Camouflage, which began in December 2022 to provide food event every year, and before, and clothing for students to help them we didn’t.” “camouflage” into their school environment.

Another aspect of homelessness The project resulted in the collection of not often discussed is its correlation more than 3,000 canned goods. with trafficking.

“It is a huge crisis that our nation Still, programs and organizations is going through,” Viramontes says.

Both Project Red and Families such as Round Rock ISD’s Families “It is something that many people in Transition are always open to in Transition and Project Red are not are not even aware of. It’s embedded help from the public, and other giving up on providing aid and relief in affluent neighborhoods and poor school districts across the state for those experiencing homelessness, neighborhoods alike. There hasn’t have similar programs that need no matter the cause. been a year where I haven’t talked to public support. For Families in or worked with a family that is escapTransition, it is possible to donate ing those situations.”

EXTENDING A HELPING HAND online, which goes directly to the Viramontes further explained the Project Red is a student-run organistudents and families experiencing current situation in Texas and stated zation located in Round Rock foundhomelessness in the program. that Waco and Houston are some of ed by two students, Jishnu Saani and Project Red also provides a way for the biggest areas in human and sex Andrew Vu. the public to donate online, and trafficking with I-35 acting like a conOne of their projects, Project Firstthe money goes to future events, duit between major cities. According Aid, provided first-aid kits to those supplies, charities, and supporting to the Department of Homeland who are homeless. After receiving the nonprofit’s operations. Project Security, thousands of human trafdonations, Project Red was able to Red is also open to volunteers, and ficking cases are reported every year, coordinate with the Salvation Army though most volunteers are students, but many more are not. The National to distribute these first-aid kits. The it is open to adults as well. Plus, Sexual Violence Resource Center project started slow as both Saani Project Red offers internships. states one in three teens on the street and Vu encountered obstacles and There are several ways to report will be lured into prostitution just unintended consequences. suspected human trafficking, in48 hours after leaving the house. The “We would make these custom cluding contacting federal law enNational Network for Youth also first-aid kits for each of these difforcement by calling (866) DHSstates about 20% of homeless youth ferent (seasonal) situations,” Saani 2-ICE, or by submitting a tip online are survivors of human trafficking says. “One crucial thing we learned at ice.gov/tips. Trafficking victims and that about 68% have been traffrom this drive is these kits may not are urged to call the National ficked or engaged in “survival sex,” be used for the best purposes. The Human Trafficking Resource which occurs when someone who is majority of homeless people are adCenter at (888) 373-7888 or homeless trades sex for food or sheldicted to certain kinds of drugs, and text 233733. ter. The most vulnerable to traffickalthough these kits are intended to The Texas Human Trafficking ing are LGBTQ+ youth and children get them out of this cycle of homeResource Center also has a variety who have left foster care. lessness, it kind of did the opposite.” of resources available, including Viramontes observes that right The kits contained alcohol wipes, online chat through the Human now there is a lack of hard data which are sometimes used to disinTrafficking Hotline Web Chat. regarding homelessness in LGBTQ+ fect an area before applying drugs. youth. However, the National “That was a bummer,” Saani says.

Coalition for the Homeless estimates “Our intentions were being reversed, about 40% of the homeless youth and we did not want to contribute to population across the country identifies as LGBTQ+. This the problem. So we immediately halted operations.” is in contrast to the 10% of general youth population who Although the project hit a roadblock, Saani and Vu conidentify as LGBTQ+. tinued in their efforts to help homeless individuals. This “It’s kind of hard to track that part of it,” she says. “We’re includes their most recent project, Project Camouflage. still missing the fact that LGBTQIA are hugely vulnerable in The idea behind the project was to help homeless students the homeless population and highly at-risk of getting kicked during the winter with food and clothes that would help out of their homes.” continued on page 32

How You Can Help

14 ATPE NEWS

SCHOLASTIC ESPORTS PROGRAMS:

TAKING STUDENT ENGAGEMENT TO ANOTHER LEVEL

T Image adapted by John Kilpper from photo by Robert Williamson

BY DAVID GEORGE

he center of the Robert Vela High School cafeteria was its usual crowded mass of tables and chairs, but for the tournament, it had been transformed. The tables were lined not with food trays but with consoles and computer monitors placed neatly amongst a jumble of cords. In each chair sat a competitor, their hands busy with either a keyboard or controller. Cheers erupted from one side of the room as one match ended and another began.

A table lined with trophies sat patiently across from the giant screen that Robert Williamson and his Eisenhower Elementary students were now fixated on. As a coach, Williamson knew that his student was talented, but the boy’s opponent was clearly getting the best of him. In the Super Smash Bros. game, the key to victory is controlling the middle of the map, and the Eisenhower star player was struggling to maintain his position. Understanding his predicament, his teammates were distraught.

“Coach,” they exclaimed. “He can’t get in there to attack him. He is going to lose.”

“Guys, don’t worry,” Williamson said. “He knows what he is doing. Just watch.”

Super Smash Bros. matches use a first-to-three-point system, and if the match reaches the time limit and the competitors are tied, it goes into sudden death mode, where one hit is all it takes to win.

Williamson had foreseen this issue and reminded his student of this tactic just before the tournament. If you find yourself outmatched, just do your best to survive and play for sudden death.

Williamson coaches his third– fifth grade Mario Kart team to a second-place finish in the Robert Vela High School Elementary Esports Tournament on March 25. From left to right: Jorge Anaya, Jesus Anaya, Williamson, Giovanna Trevino, and Jaden Maldonado.

ATPE NEWS 15

And that is exactly what he did. He ran from opponents, jumped over them, and blocked their attacks until the time clock expired. As his team held their breath, his character fired a single arrow across the screen. Cheers erupted from the crowd as the arrow found its mark and he secured the victory in dramatic fashion.

NOT PLAYING AROUND

16 ATPE NEWS



Robert Williamson teaches fifth grade at Eisenhower Elementary in Edinburg CISD. He is new to the district, but he has over a decade of classroom teaching experience.

He has also coached football and basketball for most of his career, so he is well acquainted with extracurricular activities and what it takes for success. When Williamson first took the position in his new district, he had no idea he would be building an esports (or electronic sports) program from scratch.

“When I got the opportunity to coach an esports club, I got stars in my eyes,” Williamson says. “I told my wife that I’ve played games my whole life and coached for half of it, so it’s cool that both of those things get to come full circle.”

Esports clubs consists of individual players and teams that train and compete in organized gaming competitions either online, in person, or both.

Scholastic esports programs have been around for years in colleges across the country, but it wasn’t until recently that these clubs found their way into K–12 schools. And competitive gaming has grown in popularity over the last decade as Twitch and YouTube streamers broadcast games and tournaments to online spectators, fueling interest and participation in both recreational gaming and organized esports competitions.

Williamson sees many similarities between coaching basketball and teaching his players Super Smash Bros.

“We run drills and practice all different sorts of techniques that they might use,” Williamson said. “We even scout our competition for their strengths and weaknesses —like you would see in traditional sports.”

For Williamson’s players, it isn’t size or speed that determines their success.

He explains that a combination of quick thinking and muscle memory makes you a good player. You don’t have to be

Williamson and his second grade Mario Kart team poses with their medals and first-place trophy. From left to right: Leo Molina, Aiden Acuña, Williamson, Angel De La Rosa, and Julian Rios.

physically gifted, so it helps even out the playing field for anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort to learn.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER Naturally, gaming as a school-based activity has felt its share of pushback, but game-based learning and extracurricular activities have been shown to provide a wealth of benefits for students, including improved focus, self-esteem, and even academic performance, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“It was kind of tough at the beginning to get parents on board with what we were offering because the whole idea was confusing for a lot of them,” Williamson says.

“They have many questions about what exactly their child would be doing and why it could be beneficial. So we explained to the parents that it’s a competition that their child is already familiar with and they do not need to go buy expensive equipment to participate.”

Many students today recreationally play video games in their own homes and on their own time, and scholastic esport clubs aim to capture that interest and find ways to align it with education.

“For my players who haven’t really ever shown an interest in traditional sports or other extracurricular activities, it is really rewarding to connect with them through

something they are passionate about,” Williamson says. “Esports can bring out the best in them, and you can see their behavior improve in this environment. It’s like they suddenly have all this focus and motivation—a side that we don’t always get to see as teachers.”

With all the potential benefits of scholastic esports, perhaps the most critical to its success is the fun factor. Games have always been incorporated into learning environments in one way or another, but Williamson explains that learning tends to be most effective when it is disguised as fun.

“When the Grand Champion, Hugo Contreras, was interviewed at the end of the tournament, they asked him what he likes most about esports, and he said it is playing after school against his friends,” Williamson says. “He confessed that he had the most fun at practice. You’re not going to get a football player to say that! I’m sorry. They hate practice. It was refreshing to see that and heartwarming to know that you can create so much joy with as little as a console and projector.”

EVERYBODY STARTS SOMEWHERE Scholastic esports is rapidly growing in K–12 education as a conduit for developing science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) skills while encouraging student engagement and fostering

inclusion. Like any team sport, creating and maintaining a scholastic esports program requires a significant amount of planning and investment.

“My district is very into technology and looking for new educational tools that will help us be more successful,” Williamson says. “Every year, ECISD has something called the Innovate Conference, and with the help of all these different tech companies, ECISD staff provide resources for teachers to help them become more tech-savvy.”

As fate would have it, one of the presentations at the conference was on esports programs, and Williamson signed up to receive more information. The idea was fairly new to Edinburg CISD, as several elementary schools had just recently taken advantage of the program. They received funds to cover consoles and supplies to start clubs at their campus. On top of that, they needed an esport sponsor to spend those funds, coordinate the program, and act as a coach.

Williamson started the program with his own personal Nintendo Switch console and a projector from his home. With the help of a fellow teacher, he set them up on one wall of his classroom. It wasn’t everything he had envisioned, but he had to make do with what he had available to begin the year.

“I don’t know exactly how other school esports clubs got their start, but I know firsthand the struggle it can be for new esports sponsors building everything from the ground up,” says Williamson.

To Williamson’s knowledge, the 202223 school year was Edinburg CISD’s first elementary esports competition. The prior year, even with the middle school program up and running, they weren’t yet prepared.

With everything just getting off the ground, schools needed time to purchase equipment and put teams together. But in March, Edinburg CISD held a district tournament in which over 30 schools competed.

Williamson says that Sylvia Faz, his principal at Eisenhower Elementary, assisted him in the district tournament because she cares about the program and the players.

“She noticed that a lot of these kids are not in UIL or other academic programs,” Williamson says. “And she is excited that they get this chance to be recognized and show off their skills. It’s really humbling to see someone care so much about the success of not only the program but also these kids.”

As the year progressed, Williamson received funding for the program and was able to acquire four more Nintendo Switch consoles, a couple of televisions, and another projector.

“The club meets in my classroom, and we have been very blessed with what the district supplies,” Williamson says. “I try to provide structure to their practice with one goal in mind: I want them to learn and improve with every game. And even though they are having fun and doing what they love, they are constantly learning, and I think that is the secret to our success.”

A WINNING CULTURE The Edinburg CISD esports tournament comprised over 30 local elementary schools, and Williamson’s club was allowed to enter up to 20 students. This broke down into 10 students competing in Super Smash Bros. with two alternates and two teams of four for Mario Kart.

The Super Smash Bros. competition had individuals vying for first- through sixthplace trophies, but for the Super Mario Kart competition, Williamson had to set up a relay team for the Grand Prix game mode, which consists of four races. Each player would run a single race, and their combined scores would determine which school was declared the winner.

“Our secret to success in this event was having a solid strategy going in,” Williamson says. “In Mario Kart, the races get progressively more difficult, so the

first race is always the easiest, and the last race is always the most difficult. I chose students to fill each leg of the competition based on their skill to match the difficulty curve and give us the best chance to win.”

After the qualifying round with all 31 schools, only the top eight clubs moved on to compete in the final round to determine the winner. So again, Williamson had to adjust the team’s strategy to maximize their chances.

“Even though we are commonly referred to as esports sponsors, we can and should be coaches for our squads,” Williamson says. “Just like traditional sports coaches, our players rely on our knowledge of the game and the rules of the tournament to build a winning strategy and make sure our players perform at their best.”

And his players did just that. His second grade Mario Kart team won the first-place trophy, and his third through fifth grade squad took second—losing by a single point. His Super Smash Bros. players did equally well, with one player winning a third-place overall finish and another becoming the Grand Champion.

Williamson was surprised by a comment he received from one of the coaches at the tournament: “You really seem to be into this.”

“It struck me as odd because I was thinking, ‘How are you not?’” Williamson says. “This is awesome. The kids are playing games and cheering each other on. I get it; it’s a Saturday. I’ve been a teacher for 10 years, and Saturdays are sacred. But this is great.”

Williamson emphasizes that after-school programs are extremely important for both students and for teachers. Although he coached football, basketball, and track, Williamson never played those sports in school and was never a star athlete. He says that he is a living testament that it doesn’t take an expert or someone who has played their whole life to get the job done. It just takes someone who is willing to work with the kids and to give them those opportunities to be successful at something outside the normal curriculum.

“My hope is that teachers reading this will consider volunteering the next time their principal asks if anyone would like to continued on page 32

K-fifth grade students practice Super Smash Bros. after school on a Friday inside

 Williamson’s classroom at Eisenhower Elementary.

ATPE NEWS 17

2023 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

ATPE members made the trek July 10–12 to Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock for the 2023 ATPE Summit.

Attendees charted a path for their next ATPE adventures in membership recruitment and public education advocacy during volunteer training and a couldn’t-miss legislative update. Also on the agenda were inspiring professional learning sessions, including keynotes presented by Monica Genta, author of 180 Days of Awesome, and Jim “The Rookie” Morris, the real-life high school teacher-turned-major league pitcher. Plus, the 2023 ATPE House of Delegates elected the 2023-24 ATPE state officers and adopted resolutions and the 2023-24 ATPE Legislative Program.

The following pages highlight the ATPE volunteer leaders, members, and supporters whose contributions help ATPE remain the No. 1 choice of Texas educators. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an incredible summit!

18 ATPE NEWS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to ATPE’s generous corporate and association partners as well as the dedicated volunteers who made the 2023 ATPE Summit a tremendous success.

Corporate Partners Frost Insurance

Association Partners

Membership Committee Chair Melissa Walcik, Sue Ambrus, Kimberly Anderson, Denise Braun, Gayla Brown, Madonna Felan, Michelle Fuller, Yessica Garza, Jaclean Harris, Taylor Kruppa, Kay Loftin, Meredith Malloy, Patricia Moore, Traci Morrison, Yesica Munguia, Amber Shipman, Greg Vidal, Katherine Whitbeck, Susan Wilson, and Sylvia Zamora

Leader Development Committee

It’s Time Texas, TCEA, Texas ASCD, Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE), Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented (TAGT), Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA)

Chair Nicole Fuller, Joy Barreras, Sage Cavazos, Amy Crawley, Carlos Diaz, Patricia Garcia, Samantha Garza, Jordyn Livingston, Tesslyn Mustain, Felicia Robinson, Olena Stuart, Karen Thompson, and Maria Trevino

Region 13 Welcome Committee

Public Information Committee

Pamela Brown-Ledet, Erin Campbell, Phyllis Crider, Callie Dawson, Mary Dorney, Kim Kauitzsch, Heidi Langan, Samantha Lynn, Cristela Rocha, Danielle Sanders, Kristin Shelton, Christie Smith, Tina Steiner, Greg Vidal, Jennifer Wilson, and Cheryl Zalk

Summit Steering Committee Erin Campbell, Temeika Durden, Samantha Lynn, Danielle Sanders, Jayne Serna, Kristin Shelton, Christie Smith, Stephanie Stoebe, Greg Vidal, and Jeannette Whitt

Educator of the Year Committee Chair Jackie Davis, Sherise Bell, Sharon Dixon, Colleen Norton, Brooke Anna Roberts, and Angela Rice

Leader of the Year Committee Chair Evelyn Miles-Hoskin, Carl Garner, Maria Samantha Montano, Daisy Palomo, Cristela Rocha, Cassandra Rogers, and Gayla Rhoads

Nomination/Election Committee Chair Ron Fitzwater, Belinda Wolf, Sandra Bounds, Kelley Walker, Tara Linz, Art Cantu, and Shannon Bush

Resolutions Committee Chair Cathy Stolle, Julie Fore, Mary Gardner, Kristy Hollingsworth, Michael Renteria, Davina Carter, and Jennifer Adams

Legislative Committee Chair Abigail Ramford, Jennifer Bowland, Kim Dolese, Christopher Douglas, Sean Douglas, Jesus Garza, Hayli Hassell, Karen Hill, Phyllis Jarzombek, Dale Lovett, Sarah Mayne, Maria Mendez, Opal Mobbs, Rose Perez, Gayle Sampley, Shelia Slider, Emily Smith, Nattina Wilkerson, Melanie Willett, and David Williams

Chair Tracey Smith, Autumn Caro, Blythe Chapman, Phyllis Crider, Greg Fore, Maya Issac, and Erika Mitcham

HOUSE OF DELEGATES ATPE’s annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting reflects our member-governed philosophy. At the HOD, delegates representing their local units and regions vote for ATPE’s next state officers and consider the reports of the Resolutions and Legislative committees.

State Officer Election The 43rd Annual ATPE House of Delegates elected the following members to serve as ATPE’s 2023-24 state officers: President Jayne Serna, Leander; Vice President Jason Forbis, Midway (12); Secretary Jerrica Liggins, Paris; and Treasurer Eli Rodriguez, Cypress-Fairbanks.

They join Immediate Past State President Stacey Ward, Humble.

Resolutions The HOD readopted Standing Resolutions Nos. 1–13 as recommended by the Resolutions Committee and the ATPE Board of Directors. There were no current or prefiled resolutions to consider. The HOD also adopted an honorary resolution recognizing Past State President Karen Hames for her service to ATPE. Visit atpe.org/hod to read the resolutions.

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 2023-24 ATPE Legislative Program. Visit atpe.org/leg-program to review the program.

ATPE NEWS 19

2022-23 AWARDS

ATPE honored educators, ATPE volunteers, and education journalists at the summit, as well as presented the association’s highest honor, the Judy Coyle Texas Liberty Award.

JUDY COYLE TEXAS LIBERTY AWARD

ALAFAIR HAMMETT MEDIA AWARD

Named after one of ATPE’s founding members, the Judy Coyle Texas Liberty Award is presented to individuals or organizations who have demonstrated superior service to public education.

The 2023 recipient of the Judy Coyle Texas Liberty Award is Laura Yeager, a tireless Texas public school advocate who says her work in public education policy is “driven by the belief that public education and civic engagement are the central tenets of a strong democracy and key to a better and fairer world.” Yeager has been a founding member of three organizations dedicated to our public schools: Texans Advocating for Meaningful School Assessment (TAMSA), Texas Educators Vote, and Just Fund It TX.

The Alafair Hammett Media Award recognizes specific works of journalism that highlight important issues in Texas public education. The award is selected by the members of the ATPE Public Information Committee, who evaluate journalistic works recommended by ATPE staff. The works are evaluated for relevancy, clarity, approach to public education policy, and ability to capture audience interest. The 2022-23 ATPE Public Information Committee reviewed six nominated articles and selected KXAN investigative reporter Kelly Wiley as the recipient for her broadcast package entitled “The Exit: Teachers Leave.

Students Suffer.”

DOUG ROGERS CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Awards acknowledge those special ATPE volunteers who are fundamental to the continued growth and development of our grassroots organization.

Local Units/ISDs with 1–200 Members

Local Units/ISDs with 201–500 Members

Local Units/ISDs with 501–1,000 Members

Local Units/ISDs with 1,001+ Members

Sean Douglas Cuero

Roya Dinbali Nacogdoches

Artemio Cantu La Joya

Antonio Mercado Edinburg

Finalists: Jessica (McHale) Rutherford, Hempstead; Christy Skinner, Lumberton

Finalists: Monique Juliangarza, Spring; Katherine Whitbeck, Nacogdoches

Finalists: Hilda Martinez, La Joya; Aiesha Odutayo, Houston

Finalists: Michelle Jeffrey, Katy; Jennifer LeWinter, Plano

ATPE’S TOP RECRUITER: AMANDA FORTENBERRY The 2022-23 Top Recruiter is Amanda Fortenberry, formerly of Hardin-Jefferson, who recruited 39 new members.

Fortenberry received $390 ($10 for each new member), plus $1,000 for being the state’s top recruiter as part of the One New = $10 for You recruitment challenge.

20 ATPE NEWS

FLOYD TRIMBLE LOCAL UNIT OF THE YEAR AWARDS

The Floyd Trimble Local Unit of the Year Awards acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments of outstanding local units across the state.

Local Units with 1–200 Members

Local Units with 201–500 Members

Local Units with 501–1,000 Members

Local Units with 1,001+ Members

University Local Units

Bandera ATPE

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ATPE

La Joya ATPE

Katy ATPE

2022-23 officers: President Artemio Cantu, Vice President Julian Villarreal, 2nd Vice President Vanessa Brown, Secretary Bertha Cantu, Treasurer Jesus Garza, Membership Chair Hilda Martinez

2022-23 officers: President Janet Godfrey, Vice President Ollie Kendrick, Secretary Sherry Doll, Treasurer Dalton Lauck, Membership Chair Dedra Robertson

University of St. Thomas ATPE

2022-23 officers: President John Milner, Vice President Stan Payne, Secretary Sherrie Williamson, Treasurer Diane Payne Finalists: Hempstead ATPE, North Starr ATPE

2022-23 officers: President Michael Sweet, Vice President Lydia Marez, Secretary Dora Melendez, Treasurer Martha Alvarado Finalists: Allen ATPE, Magnolia ATPE

CHARLES PICKITT EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Finalists: Alief ATPE, Houston ATPE

Finalists: Cypress-Fairbanks ATPE, Denton ATPE

2022-23 officers: President Brenna Ruehter, Vice President Shermeen Patel, Treasurer Anahy Martinez Balleza, Historian Xareni Chazares, Sponsor Jean Kiekel Finalist: Houston Baptist University ATPE (now Houston Christian University)

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

Associate of the Year

Elementary Teacher of the Year

Secondary Teacher of the Year

Special Services Educator of the Year

Christina Flores Riesel

Francis Sanchez Zapata County

Michael Sweet Pharr-San Juan-Alamo

Daxus Nessoi Katy

Greg Fore Dallas

Finalists: Claire Bray, Nacogdoches; Kris Mitzner, Katy

Finalists: Wanda Bailey, Mesquite; Eduardo Mercado, Edinburg

Finalists: Christy Biehle, Katy; Lacey Brajenovich, Katy

Finalists: Clarice Cross, Plano; Joan Pearson, Cypress-Fairbanks

Finalists: Ana Ramos, Roma; Dedra Robertson, Katy

ATPE NEWS 21

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE HONOREES Stephen F. Austin ATPE-PAC Honorees The members below have contributed the following cumulative amounts to ATPE-PAC since July 1997.

$7,500 Karen Hames, Steve Pokluda $5,000 MaElena Ingram $2,500 Bill Griffin, Shannon Holmes, Shawna Myerson, Shelia Slider, Michael Sweet $1,500 Madonna Felan, Lynette Ginn, Barbara Lebold, Paula Marshall, Yvette Milner, Lynn Nutt, Barbara Ruiz, Stephanie Stoebe, Leslie Ward $500 Lizandra Ayala Valentin, Beverly Bredemeyer, Greg Fore, Stacy Gallier, Yessica Garza, Tiffiiany Godley, Tiffany Gygi, Crystal Hammill, Catherine Harbour, Tommie Hicks, Dorothy Hulett, Rebecca LeBreton, Angela Robinson, Horacio Rodriguez, Jessica Rutherford, Angela Sanchez, Tanya Snook, Mary Stricker

ATPE-PAC Statesman Award The ATPE-PAC Statesman Award honors ATPE members who have donated $20 or more to ATPE-PAC for 12 consecutive months.

Charlotte Anthony, Betty Berndt, Sherry Boyd, David de la Garza, Sharon Dixon, Twila Figueroa, Ron Fitzwater, Jason Forbis, CaRita Forte, Lynette Ginn, Tonja Gray, Byron Hildebrand, Shannon Holmes, Darlene Kelly, Barbara Lebold, Jerrica 22 ATPE NEWS

Liggins, Dale Lovett, Teresa Millard, Lynn Nutt, Steve Pokluda, Deborah Pleasant, Betty Plunkett, Michael Renteria, Lindsay Robinson, Eliseo Rodriguez, Abby Rogers, Jayne Serna, Maria Slette, Shelia Slider, Wendy Smith, Becky Spurlock, Ron Walcik, Katherine Whitbeck, Richard Wiggins

William B. Travis ATPE-PAC Honorees This year’s William B. Travis Honorees are those members who donated $150 or more to ATPEPAC between Aug. 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022.

Shannon Abernathy, Tina AlvaradoCrouch, Susan Ambrus, Charlotte Anthony, Susan Ballew, Betty Berndt, Nelson Bishop, Jerry Bonham, Julleen Bottoms, Sherry Boyd, Beverly Bredemeyer, Brandi Claiborne, Sara Connaway, Hector Cruz, Elizabeth Davis, Ona Beth Day, David de la Garza, Sharon Dixon, Alice Erdelt, Madonna Felan, Twila Figueroa, Ron Fitzwater, Jason Forbis, John Fore, CaRita Forte, Ginger Franks, Donna Gibbon, Patti Gibbs, Sharon Ginn, Tonja Gray, Tanya Gray, Stephen Griffin, Karen Hames, Byron Hildebrand, Jeanette Hlavaty, Lisa Hollowell, Shannon Holmes, Malinda Holzapfel, Maria Ingram, Phyllis Jarzombek, Irma Jimenez, Kate Johanns, Courtney Jones, Darlene Kelly, Connie Kilday, Barbara Lebold, Jerrica Liggins, Tara Linz, Dale Lovett, Elias Lozano, Meredith Malloy, Paula Marshall, Hilda Martinez, Melanie Mathis, Katy Matthews, Shawna Mayerson, Betty McCoy, Evelyn MilesHoskin, Teresa Millard, Maria Samantha Montano, Shawn Mustain, Sharon Nix, Lynn Nutt, Bobbye Patton, Deborah Pleasant, Betty Plunkett, Steve Pokluda, Jennifer Price, Michael Renteria, Lindsay Robinson, Eliseo Rodriguez, Abby Rogers, Belinda Rosa, Jessica Rutherford, Gayle Sampley, Jayne Serna, Maria Slette, Shelia Slider, Wendy Smith, Rhonda Smith, Leah Smith, Samuel Spurlock, Becky Spurlock, Stephanie Stoebe, Cathy Stolle, Mary Stricker, Michael Sweet, Marsi Thomas,

Maria Trevino, Norma Vega, Melissa Walcik, Ron Walcik, Eileen Walcik, Stacey Ward, Katherine Whitbeck, Shane Whitten, Richard Wiggins, Belinda Wolf

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. This award covered the Aug. 1, 2021–July 31, 2022, fundraising period.

Region, 10,000 or Fewer Members Region 11 ATPE Region, 10,001 or More Members Region 10 ATPE Local Unit, 1–200 Members Woden ATPE Local Unit, 201–500 Members McAllen ATPE Local Unit, 501+ Members Lewisville ATPE

ATPE-PAC Silent Auction Donors David de la Garza; Amy Dodd; Andrea Elizondo; Jennifer Mitchell; McAllen ATPE; Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20

STAFF SERVICE AWARDS

Congratulations to the following ATPE staff members honored during the summit for their combined 160 years of service.

Five Years of Service Celina Leal Jeff Vega Mary Jane Waits 10 Years of Service Bret Messer Diane Pokluda Martha Moring 20 Years of Service Andrea Elizondo Barbara McGrath Tracy Revetta 25 Years of Service Joy England Brian Park

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Meet Your 2023-24 ATPE Leaders 2023-24 State Officers

Jayne Serna

Jason Forbis

Jerrica Liggins

Eli Rodriguez

Serna is a 34-year education veteran and adjunct professor of history at Austin Community College.

A 27-year educator, Forbis teaches first grade.

Liggins serves as her district’s secondary education director and has 13 years of experience.

Rodriguez, a 39-year education veteran, teaches seventh grade English/language arts.

PRESIDENT Leander, Region 13

VICE PRESIDENT Midway, Region 12

SECRETARY Paris, Region 8

TREASURER Cypress-Fairbanks, Region 4

Stacey Ward

PAST PRESIDENT Humble, Region 4 A 26-year educator, Ward teaches fifth grade science.

2023-24 Region Officers REGION 2

REGION 3

REGION 4

REGION 5

REGION 6

Twila Figueroa McAllen

Adriane Taylor Corpus Christi

Sean Douglas Cuero

Vacant

Christy Skinner Lumberton

Donna Ward Willis

MaElena Ingram McAllen

Jackie Hannebaum Corpus Christi

Tiffany Keszler Tidehaven

Jay Guerrero Cypress-Fairbanks

Katelyn Hanson Jasper

Christopher Douglas Cameron ISD

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

Luis Garcia Valley View (1)

Brenda Medina Corpus Christi

Beth Auble Industrial

Karina Torres Cypress-Fairbanks

Sandra Turner Port Arthur

Sonia Wolfrom Magnolia

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

Melinda Marquez San Isidro

Ceasar Germain Flour Bluff

Taylor Kruppa Univ. of Houston-Victoria

Michelle Fuller Newton

Susan Ambrus Navasota

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

Sierra Turner-Villalovos Lone Star College–North Harris

TREASURER

TREASURER

Craig Weart Weslaco

Lorrie Gomez Corpus Christi

Cathy Stolle Karnes City

TREASURER

Maya Issac Newton

Lori Mitchell Willis

PRESIDENT

DIRECTOR

REGION 1

PAST PRESIDENT

Norma Vega La Joya

24 ATPE NEWS

Jessica McHale Rutherford Hempstead AT-LARGE OFFICER

Paloma Esparza University of Houston–Downtown

PAST PRESIDENT

Gidget Belinoski-Bailey New Waverly

REGION 8

REGION 9

REGION 10

REGION 11

REGION 12

REGION 13

Teresa Millard Woden

Abby Rogers Paris

Denise Sanders Vernon

Wanda Bailey Mesquite ISD

Christopher Adams Crowley

Christina Flores Riesel

Stephanie Stoebe Round Rock

Kimberly Dolese Northeast Texas

Yesica Munguia Paris

Dale Lovett Olney

Julia Fore Dallas

Marianne Eckley Lewisville

Courtney Jones Connally

Kristin Shelton Round Rock

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

J York Nacogdoches

Amy House Chapel Hill (8)

Traci Morrison Nocona

Clarice Cross Plano

Karen Hames Lewisville

Christina Taylor Axtell

Danielle Sanders Austin

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

Taylor Millard Henderson

Derrick Robinson Cooper Bulldogs

Belinda Wolf Wichita Falls

Dani Boepple Mesquite

Debra Hardy Krum

Shawn Bailey Midway (12)

Erin Campbell Round Rock

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

Michelle Adams Martinsville ISD

Deena White Chisum

Patti Gibbs Nocona

Carl Garner Richardson

Susan Samson Hurst-Euless-Bedford

Nattina Wilkerson Marlin

Callie Dawson Hutto

PAST PRESIDENT

PAST PRESIDENT

PAST PRESIDENT

PAST PRESIDENT

PAST PRESIDENT

Katherine Whitbeck Nacogdoches

P. Anthony Williams Chapel Hill (8)

Donnetta Allen Inspired Vision Academy

Betty Plunkett Krum

Christie Smith Georgetown

REGION 14

REGION 15

REGION 16

REGION 17

REGION 18

REGION 19

REGION 20

Leslie Ward Merkel

Betty Gail Wood-Rush Early

Sherry Boyd Spearman

Abigail Ramford Lamesa

Gail Campos Big Spring

Robert Zamora Clint

Laura Herrera North East

Nicole Fuller Jim Ned Consolidated

Amber Shipman Brownwood

Michael Renteria Amarillo

Brenda Bryan Hale Center

Michelle Adams Midland

Sarah Mayne El Paso

Evelyn Miles-Hoskin Northside (20)

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

Heather Wooten Baird

Karen Thompson Ballinger

Blythe Chapman Amarillo

Pamela Meraz Lamesa

Karen Hill Pecos-Barstow-Toyah

Diane Baray Socorro

John Milner Bandera

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

SECRETARY

Opal Mobbs Abilene

Darlene Kelly Ballinger

Maria Morado Amarillo

Susan Wilson Lamesa

Ashley Debusk Midland

Martha Rico Ysleta

Michael Perez Comal

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

TREASURER

Tommie Hicks Hawley

Maria Mendez Junction

Nancy Fowler Amarillo

Sharon Ginn Hale Center

Davina Carter Midland

Eduardo Sierra San Elizario

Juaquin Zavala Northside (20)

PAST PRESIDENT

PAST PRESIDENT

Mark Mendoza El Paso

Elizabeth Turner Northside (20)

PRESIDENT

DIRECTOR

PRESIDENT

DIRECTOR

REGION 7

ATPE NEWS 25

ATPE invites you to join us as we visit “neighborhoods” all over Texas. Get an inside look at what ATPE volunteers across the state are doing to recruit, retain, and rejoice with their fellow ATPE members!

In Your Neighborhood: ATPE Stories from Your Communities

26 ATPE NEWS

Corpus Christi ATPE Corpus Christi ATPE hosted a graduation celebration for Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi graduates May 17.

Graduating seniors received ATPE graduation cords to wear at commencement.

Region 16 ATPE & Spearman ATPE Region 16 ATPE and Spearman ATPE collected necessary supplies for those affected by the devastating June 15 tornado in Perryton. Region 16 ATPE Director Sherry Boyd delivered the supplies to a relief center at Perryton High School.

Region 11 ATPE Region 11 ATPE members gathered at the Aloft Hotel in Fort Worth for a cinemathemed spring meeting and election that included food and prizes. The Region 11 ATPE Educator of the Year winners were also recognized.

Comal ATPE Comal ATPE members pose with gift cards they won in door prize drawings at their spring meeting held in April at Casa Garcia in New Braunfels.

ATPE NEWS 27

YOUR ATPE

Meet the 2023-24 Leadership ATPE Cohort Leadership ATPE offers professional development, leadership training, and networking opportunities for education professionals chosen from within ATPE’s membership ranks.

Through this program, Leadership ATPE cohort members participate in experiences designed to hone the skills needed to serve their schools and communities, pursue leadership roles within ATPE, and advance their careers.

The year-long program includes two weekend training retreats and additional networking opportunities focused on building such skills as public speaking, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and more.

Congratulations to these ATPE members: Lena Angel, Katy Beth Auble, Industrial Abigail Baiza, IDEA Public Schools Kiree Bins, Killeen Davina Carter, Midland Callie Dawson, Hutto Eva Dickey, Paris Shagufta Ellam, Round Rock Jesus Garza, La Joya Jay Guerrero, Cypress-Fairbanks Amanda Hendon, Abilene Maegan Holycross, Birdville Taylor Kruppa, Ezzell Jordyn Livingston, New Diana Sarah Mayne, El Paso Taylor Millard, Henderson Aiesha Odutayo, Houston Brooke Anna Roberts, Corsicana Dedra Robertson, Katy Felicia Robinson, Dallas

L E A D E R S H I P AT P E

28 ATPE NEWS

Age 30 or Younger?

Don’t Miss Out on Gen ATPE One of ATPE’s newest programs, Gen ATPE, offers special programming and networking opportunities specifically for educators ages 30 or younger. No additional application or fee is required, but to receive notification of Gen ATPE events, your member profile must include your birthdate indicating that you are currently age 30 or younger. To add your birthdate, log in to your Member Account at atpe.org, then navigate to “My Profile.” Add your birthday under “Profile Information,” and click Save!

Be sure to check out the archived Gen ATPE webinars available in the ATPE Professional Learning Portal: Choosing and Using Diverse Literature Discover sources to find new literature for your classroom library. There are many beautiful books that can add a new lens for learning. Literature should serve not only as a mirror for students to see the reflection of their lives but also as a window for them to see worlds outside of themselves. See how adding new and diverse books can even impact growth in reading skills.

(Presented by Stephanie Stoebe) How to Engage Families in Their Children’s Education One of your biggest challenges as a teacher is finding strategies for getting your students’ families involved in their education. Veteran educators Karen Hames and Shelly Couch will share lessons learned from their careers and explain what really works—and what really doesn’t. Plus, they’ll cover what parental/family involvement looks like post-pandemic, as well as what to do if you don’t feel like your administrators are supportive. By the end of the webinar, you’ll have some time-tested techniques to try this year.

(Presented by Shelly Couch and Karen Hames)

YOUR ATPE

Earn Money Through ATPE’s One New = $10 for You Recruitment Program Spread the word about ATPE and earn money with the One New = $10 for You recruitment program. Until Oct. 31, 2023, members can earn $10 for every new member they recruit.

For this program, the newly recruited member must join as a first-time professional, associate, or administrator. Also, they must be someone who has never been a member with ATPE— the only exception is if the member was previously a college student or student teacher.

ATPE’s 2022-23 Top Recruiter, Amanda Fortenberry, recruited 39 new members and received $390 ($10 for each new member), plus $1,000 for being the state’s top recruiter.

Fortenberry is beginning her 2023-24 school year in a new district, and she says she plans to continue that success by doing exactly what worked for her in the past.

“The first thing I’m going to do is to seek out the ATPE people in my new district,” Fortenberry says. “I am going to go to them and ask how I can help. I want everyone to know that if you are interested in joining, you can contact me, and I will literally walk to the door of your classroom and deliver an application.

“I would also like to spread the word about what ATPE can offer to new teachers. My slogan will be, ‘Sign up first and ask questions later. You’re going to want that protection from day one.’”

Incentives earned from recruitment will be paid for each recruited member who is active in ATPE’s database on Feb. 1,

2024. Following that, all funds will be issued via direct deposit in March 2024.

There is no entry form necessary; just instruct any new members you recruit to print your full name in the “recruited by” box on their membership application.

What are you waiting for? You’ve got until Oct. 31 to help grow your association AND earn some rewards for yourself at the same time!

ATPE’s Diane Pokluda Honored

by Tarleton State University College of Education Since 2012, the College of Education at Tarleton State University has presented an annual award to honor educators who have made a positive impact on the lives of students in the Tarleton Teacher Education Program. This year, ATPE’s very own Regional Membership Specialist Diane Pokluda was recognized for her contributions and support with a nomination to join the Tarleton Crystal Apple Society.

Congratulations, Diane, on receiving this amazing award!

ATPE NEWS 29

YOUR ATPE

Update to Membership Dues for the 2023-24 Membership Year

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Buying school supplies can prove costly. Luckily, your ATPE member-only savings makes it easy for you to find good deals.

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Retired $30/year Public $50/year College Student Free Student Teacher Free Our mission is to advocate for educators and deliver affordable, high-quality products and services that give members the peace of mind needed to inspire student success, and the Board’s action will position ATPE to deliver those products and services in the near future and for many years to come.

If you are on payroll rollover, ATPE contacted your ISD payroll office to let them know about the 2023-24 dues amount.

However, it is your responsibility to review your pay stub to ensure the correct current membership amount is being deducted from your paycheck.

If you are on credit card or bank draft auto-renew, your annual one-time payment/monthly installment payment automatically increased Aug. 1. However, it is your responsibility to confirm the correct current membership amount is being charged to your card/deducted from your bank account.

Please contact ATPE Membership at members@atpe.org or (800) 777-2873 if you have any questions.

30 ATPE NEWS

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IN MEMORIAM

1942–2023

In Memoriam: Past Region 5 Director Bill Moye ATPE is saddened to share the news of the passing of ATPE member William “Bill” Jennings Moye on June 8, 2023. Moye represented Region 5 ATPE on the ATPE Board of Directors from 2011 to 2015.

Born in Beaumont, on Sept. 14, 1942, Moye was the son of Tryian and Sybil Moye. He lived a full life and had tremendous intellect. Moye excelled at everything he set his mind to as he served as an adult scout leader for decades and even achieved the Vigil Honor from the Order of the Arrow.

Moye was an active member of Warren ATPE and served in many Region 5 ATPE officer roles. He also taught Sunday school lessons at his church. Moye’s unique sense of humor could fill the whole room with laughter. He enjoyed many hobbies, including taking part in historical battle reenactments and listening to country music.

Moye was kind and always willing to help those in need. He was a loving father and grandfather, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him during his journey through life.

Sue Allen taught with Moye at Warren High School, and they both served as Region 5 ATPE officers.

“Bill was a dedicated teacher and became an outstanding ATPE leader on all levels,” Allen says. “He was an outstanding historian and history teacher who always had a story to tell.

I loved sharing a table with him at any meeting because he could keep all of us entertained—especially in those boring faculty meetings we have all had to sit through over the years.

Bill was a true friend who loved his family and was always talking about them.”

On the Claybar Funeral Home Bill Moye Memorial Wall, several of Moye’s former students shared their thoughts and memories.

“Mr. Moye was one of the most caring teachers I ever had,” Daniel Odom wrote. “He was passionate about education and bettering the lives of his students, and he was one of the reasons I chose a career as a teacher. I offer prayers for the family, and thanks for all the years you shared Mr. Moye with his students.”

Karl Tolar shared: “Mr. Moye was one of those teachers that connected with students on a life level, not just at the point of education. Anytime I ran into him after I graduated, it was always a good catch-up conversation. He had a robust sense of humor, and it was always a good time talking with him about the world. He made a lasting impression on many young people and I’m glad to have been one of them.”

“It’s been about seven years since being in Mr. Moye’s class, and he was always very sweet,” Caly Bradford wrote. “My favorite times were once a year when he would bring the cannons to school to let us see them and hear what they sound like when fired. He will be missed.”

ATPE extends its sympathies to the Moye family and friends.

ATPE NEWS 31

continued from page 7—Your Ally

threats to campus threat assessment teams.

Identities may only be disclosed to the team, district, or law enforcement to investigate.

Districts must maintain a confidential record of reporter identities.

CLASSROOM DISPLAY OF “IN GOD WE TRUST” Per HB 2012, a classroom teacher cannot be prohibited from displaying a poster or copy of the national motto in their classroom.

Educators should look for additional information from their school districts as these policies are implemented and be advised that educators’ rights may be further modified during the anticipated special session on public education issues this fall. continued from page 10—Your Voice

have on legislators as they approach issues important to educators. Think of it as a small investment in yourself and your students that could return huge dividends.

3. VOTE LOUDLY. What does this mean? Educators have too often been told not to seek out trouble, not to stir the pot, and not to talk about political issues. And while care should be taken in delivering curriculum, the problem with that advice overall is that public education is a political issue. It doesn’t have to be—and shouldn’t be—a partisan issue, but it is absolutely a political issue. We do ourselves a disservice by not talking to everyone we can about the importance of prioritizing public education at the ballot box. We ourselves need to base our votes on public education issues, but that is not enough. If we want a Legislature that prioritizes public education, we must tell our family, friends, and neighbors which candidates support our public schools and ask them to vote for them, too. continued from page 14—Student Homelessness

them blend into the school environment.

The project resulted in the donation of 3,000-plus cans of food and hundreds of pieces of clothing.

“Over 300 families benefitted from the clothes and food that we had,” Saani says. “This also meant we could support one family for an entire year through just our food drive.”

Volunteering for programs and organizations such as Round Rock ISD’s Families in Transition and Project Red are

32 ATPE NEWS

some of the best ways to help. Project Red also has internships available, and you can donate to both causes.

“The decisions that our interns and our volunteers make directly impact what we do as a nonprofit,” Vu said. “The best way to [help] is to donate to organizations like us, who know what to do with these resources so that these people in need of resources can get them in a way that isn’t harmful to them.”

Family support provided by Round Rock ISD’s Families in Transition program includes enrollment assistance, free school meals, tuition fees for summer school, parent education resources, counseling referrals, transportation, and services for homeless students, such as early childhood and special education programs.

“It’s a really nice space,” Viramontes says. “It’s a space where families come in and get the care that they need and the case-by-case management that they’re looking for.”

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Viramontes wanted to still help families in need while also keeping them safe. So she began doing curbside services to give them the resources and supplies the families needed while also maintaining social distancing, and while doing curbside, she had a lightbulb moment that would include the help from Project Linus.

“I immediately go and email Linus Blankets, so instead of making quilts, they started making face masks,” Viramontes says. “So, the next time he came through, he had Hulk and Iron Man (facemasks) and was the happiest kid.”

It can be difficult for adults and teachers to connect with students and youth experiencing homelessness. What separates Project Red from other organizations is the fact that it is entirely student-run, which helps the project provide homeless students with material and personal support.

“We’re students ourselves, and other students relate with people like them,” Vu says. “They might not listen to an adult.

We’re on their level; they trust students like us, and I feel like they appreciate that so much more.” continued from page 17—Scholastic Esports

start a club,” Williamson says. “And then they can experience for themselves how rewarding esports can be for not only their students but also for themselves.”

Just before the tournament, Williamson prepared his players by asking them to take a deep breath and remember to have fun.

“You’ve put in the practice, and you guys deserve to be here,” Williamson said to his team. “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose because you are getting the chance to play video games with your friends. In my book, you’ve already won!”

YOUR ATPE

Meet ATPE’s

REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP SPECIALISTS ATPE’s eight dedicated regional membership specialists support ATPE’s members and volunteers in their local communities across the state. Not sure what region you’re in? Visit atpe.org/find-atpe to find out.

ROGER GUTIERREZ

CYNTHIA VILLALOVOS

GINGER FRANKS

JOSEPH CRUZ

Regions 1 & 2 rgutierrez@atpe.org

Regions 3 & 4 cvillalovos@atpe.org

Regions 5–7 gfranks@atpe.org

Regions 8 & 10 jcruz@atpe.org

DIANE POKLUDA

MARY JANE WAITS

JEFF VEGA

YVETTE MILNER

Regions 9 & 11 dpokluda@atpe.org

Regions 12, 14, & 15 mjwaits@atpe.org

Regions 16–19 jvega@atpe.org

Regions 13 & 20 ymilner@atpe.org

ATPE NEWS 33

Round of Applause Let’s give a round of applause to our ATPE members all around the state who go above and beyond.

Jourdanton

Allen

Park Place Lexus recognized Allen ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year John Garrott.

Brenham

Mary Kroll, a STEAM teacher at Krause Elementary School, was named her campus’ 2023 Teacher of the Year.

Cameron

First grade teacher Rhonda Kruse was named Teacher of the Year for Ben Milam Elementary School.

Azle

Kameron Copass was named Walnut Creek Elementary and Azle ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Michelle Partin was named the Campus Teacher of the Year for Forte Junior High, and Amber Chapman received the honor for Cross Timbers Elementary School. The following ATPE members received the Heart of Azle award: • Starla Petty, Forte Junior High • Robert Popp, Silver Creek Elementary School • Jason Vines, Azle High School

Rosemary Perez was one of four educators named by the Jourdanton ISD School Board as the Employee of the Year.

Corpus Christi

Lakeway

The Lake Travis ISD school board recognized kindergarten teacher Joy Crenshaw as Lakeway Elementary School’s 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.

Texas PTA named Moody High School teacher Donna Jones as its 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Plainview

Plainview ISD named the following ATPE members the 2022-23 Teachers of the Year for their respective campuses: • Kelly Shackelford, Plainview High School • James Pittman, Ash High School • Mackenzie Sutton, Plainview Junior High School

Redwater Liberty Hill

Devine

Teachers of the Year for their respective campuses: • Joshua Carpenter, T. E. Baxter Elementary • Michelle Spradley, Dolores W. McClatchey Elementary • Donna Scott, LaRue Miller Elementary

Fifth grade teacher Emily Lively received Liberty Hill ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year Award.

Courtney Beck was named Redwater Elementary School’s teacher of the year as well as Region 8 ESC’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Temple

Rosalva Munoz was recognized for her passion in working with bilingual students.

Devine ISD named two ATPE members Educator of the Year for their respective campuses: Melody Riou (Devine Intermediate School) and Christian Guerra (Devine Middle School).

Longview

Beaumont

The Texas Parent Teacher Association (PTA) selected West Brook High School’s Nicholas Phillips as its 2023 Secondary Principal of the Year.

34 ATPE NEWS

Northeast Texas ATPE’s Suzanne Puryear was named Crunch Fitness’ Educator of the Year.

Jasper

April Pool was one of four Jasper ISD teachers to receive a Jasper Public School Foundation Educator of the Year Award.

Midlothian

Midlothian ISD named three ATPE members the 2022-23

Waco

Amy Smith was named the 2023 Outstanding Mentor Teacher by the South Central Area Network for Professional Development Schools.

Do you want to recognize a fellow ATPE member in the

 next issue of ATPE News? Contact us at comm@atpe.org!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

T

he thousands of ATPE volunteers across Texas are the backbone of this association. Their hard work and dedication allow ATPE to serve the state’s largest community of educators. In this ongoing ATPE News series, we spotlight volunteers who set a great example of service to their fellow educators. NEXT UP: ARTEMIO CANTU teaches career and technical education in La Joya ISD, is president of La Joya ATPE, and is ATPE’s 2022-23 Campus Rep of the Year for local units with 501–1,000 members.

ATPE GIVES EDUCATORS A VOICE ATPE’s advocacy efforts are one of the biggest reasons Cantu became a member.

“To me, one of the most important benefits would be ATPE’s advocacy and being able to have a say in the legislative process,” Cantu explains. “With ATPE, I can stay up to date with changes that affect our profession. It allows us to have a voice. We have been able to send some of our local unit members to ATPE at the Capitol, where they were able to meet with legislators and have a direct impact.

Additionally, they always come back with a wealth of information about what is going on at the Capitol.”

This is something that Cantu emphasizes when he is talking to colleagues about joining ATPE. “I let them know that ATPE is at the very forefront of what is going on in our profession,” Cantu says. “I let them know that with ATPE, they can have an impact on the bills the Legislature is considering, as well as other changes to regulations and rules that might affect them. Then, it is easier to move on to the other benefits of membership, such as the insurance and discounts.”

IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK TO GET INVOLVED As a local unit president, Cantu knows it can be a challenge to find people willing to volunteer for ATPE—given educators’ increasingly busy schedules. However, Cantu wants people to know they can make a positive impact even without a huge time commitment.

“I think a lot of our educators have a difficult time because of the stress of the job,” Cantu says. “They think they do not

have enough time. They are at school from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or later. Then, they have family obligations. Thanks to online communication, things have become much easier. You don’t always have to meet in a physical location. Now, a lot of things can be done though a simple Zoom call.

We can take five or 10 minutes to plan out what we are doing next month. It has made things that much easier.”

Helping grow ATPE by recruiting new members is perhaps the biggest impact a person can have on the association. This, too, is much easier than many people may imagine, according to Cantu. He has seen his most success not with high-pressure sales techniques but rather with being approachable and taking every opportunity to talk about ATPE when speaking with his colleagues. He believes these are tactics every member can use.

“You are already meeting and talking with these teachers, so try and use ATPE as a conversation starter,” explains Cantu.

“I will say, ‘Oh, I did this or that with my organization.’ Or, I will talk about something that is going on with the Legislature that I learned from ATPE, and that will usually lead into another conversation where they want to know more about ATPE. So it’s not like I am knocking on doors like a door-todoor salesman.

“I just try and have a smile on my face all the time,” Cantu continues. “There is a good chance somebody is already having a tough day on their own. When you are smiling, you become more approachable.

People will come up to me and ask me about my ATPE shirt or my ATPE coffee mug. Then, we can start a conversation about joining ATPE.”

I just try and have a smile on my face all the time. People will come up to me and ask me about my ATPE shirt or my ATPE coffee mug.

Then, we can start a conversation about joining ATPE.” — Artemio Cantu, career and technical education teacher in La Joya ISD, La Joya ATPE president, and ATPE’s 2022-23 Campus Rep of the Year for local units with 501–1,000 members

IN BECOMING  INTERESTED AN ATPE VOLUNTEER? Reach out to ATPE Membership at volunteer@atpe.org.

ATPE NEWS 35

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