Stars Around Texas, Fall Semester 2013

StarsAroundTexas

FallFall Semester Semester2013 2011

A CELEBRATION OF ATPE LEADERSHIP

Meet Hilda Martinez—ATPE’s top recruiter in 2012-13 page 6 Plan creative local unit and region meetings page 15

President’s message

Table of Contents 3

Around Texas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Read stories of leadership success from across the state.

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Leader Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Get to know Hilda Martinez, a La Joya ATPE leader and ATPE’s top recruiter for 2012-13.

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Nuts about ATPE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Meet the 2012-13 ATPE Campus Representatives of the Year.

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2012-13 Local Units of the Year. . . .

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Each One, Reach One is only the first step in taking ATPE to “the next level.” In addition to this recruitment campaign, state office staff members and the ATPE Board of Directors have begun looking at ways that we can grow, both in numbers and in the strength and quality of what we offer current members. We are in the process of finalizing a new strategic plan that will guide the day-to-day business of the association and provide you with an organization that’s even better at serving your wants and needs. After all, ATPE is your association; it’s important that it assists you in the ways that you need it most.

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I am looking forward to seeing where this year takes us and, in future years, what the next level is for ATPE. As British philosopher Alan Watts once said, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” Won’t you dance with me?

Learn how-tos for success from ATPE’s top local units.

Achieving great heights . . . . . . . . . . .

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Read about the local units that made strides in membership during the 2012-13 school year.

Top-notch advocates . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Check out the 2012-13 William B. Travis ATPE-PAC honorees.

Let’s get together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As we began the 2013-14 school year, change was in the air. At the 2013 ATPE Summit, Executive Director Gary G. Godsey tasked all ATPE members to “Each One, Reach One,” or every member recruit (at least) one new member. After only a month on the job, Gary could see that we, the educators of Texas, are the ones who, working together, can make all of the difference.

Our excitement and enthusiasm for both the association and the education profession are contagious.

Save these creative meeting ideas for future local unit and region events.

Correction: The Spring Semester 2013 Stars Around Texas incorrectly identified Allyson Haveman of Lubbock ATPE and Gayla Brown of Kermit ATPE in a photo of the ATPE Legislative Committee. We regret the error.

StarsAroundTexas A CELEBRATION OF ATPE LEADERSHIP

Fall Semester 2013 • Volume 5, Issue 1 Stars Around Texas is published biannually by the Association of Texas Professional Educators. Submit article ideas and high-resolution photos for publication consideration to comm@atpe.org. Copyright 2013 by the Association of Texas Professional Educators.

State Officers

Stars Around Texas Staff

Ginger Franks President, Pineywoods

Mandy Curtis Senior Copy Editor/Writer

Richard Wiggins Vice President, Boerne

Erica Fos Graphic Designer

Cory Colby Secretary, Willis

Alexandria Johnson Copy Editor/Writer

Julleen Bottoms Treasurer, Corsicana

John Kilpper Senior Graphic Designer

Deann Lee Past President, Paris

Jennifer Tuten Communications Specialist

GINGER FRANKS–JOHN KILPPER

Ginger Franks, ATPE state president

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AROUND TEXAS stories of local unit and region success Midway (12) ATPE rallies against community hunger In September, Midway (12) ATPE participated in Hunger Free MISD, a district-sponsored food drive that provides food to Midway ISD students and families in need. “Our goal for this year is to become more involved with our schools and our community,” Midway (12) ATPE President and Region 12 ATPE Director Jason Forbis says.

The local unit received a list of needed items from the Hunger Free MISD program and then created a sense of friendly competition between groups and grade levels to see who could collect the most. The principal at Forbis’ school (Spring Valley Elementary) even gave out prizes to the most dedicated participants.

All told, “Midway (12) ATPE collected more than 10,000 food items and $815 in cash to help [the program] buy things they needed,” Forbis says.

MISD administration building custodian Fredrick Herrera stands with the donations collected by his building.

Thank you to our golf tournament sponsors The 2013 ATPE Foundation Golf Tournament was held Oct. 18 at Teravista Golf Club in Round Rock.

Through the generous donations of players and sponsors, the tournament raised more than $60,000 in cash and in-kind sponsorships that will support the foundation’s mission. That’s the most raised in the event’s four-year history!

Midway (12) courtesy of Jason Forbis; Golf–Erica Fos

The ATPE Foundation would like to thank the following regions and local units for their generous sponsorships: • Region 1

• Region 8

• Region 13

• Region 2

• Region 9

• Region 14

• Region 4

• Region 10

• Region 17

• Region 5

• Region 11

• Region 20

• Region 6

• Region 12

• Mesquite

• Region 7 Read more about the golf tournament in Enrich, the official publication of the ATPE Foundation. The latest issue can be read at www.atpefoundation.org/ ENewsletter.aspx.

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Retired volunteers vital to orientation success Every August, a number of state office staff members travel around the state to attend general-, new- and student-teacher orientations. Although valiant attempts are made to send a staff member to every community that requests assistance for their orientations, the number of events staff members can attend is limited by both time and manpower. Thanks to the dedication of ATPE’s retired members, however, the state office can extend its reach. In August 2013, 18 retired volunteers traveled to 43 different events to spread the ATPE word. In appreciation, ATPE gave the retirees a $100 gift card for each district that they visited (up to five).

• Jackie Hannebaum, Corpus Christi ATPE president and the Region 2 ATPE director, who recruited at an orientation in Tuloso-Midway ISD.

To be eligible for the program, members had to be retired or retiring at the end of the 2012-13 school year, and they had to have previously served in an ATPE volunteer role. This year’s participants were:

• Y vonne Meharg, Goliad ATPE treasurer and the Region 3 ATPE president, who covered orientations in Cuero, Kenedy and Yorktown ISDs.

• Lynn Allen, a Robinson ATPE member, who covered orientations in Bruceville-Eddy and Troy ISDs.

• Sandra O’Connor, a Waco ATPE member and the Region 12 ATPE president, who covered an event in Mexia ISD.

• Norma Atkinson, an ATPE member from Region 2, who attended orientations in Mathis, Orange Grove, Odem-Edroy and Taft ISDs.

• Ruthie Phillips, a Mansfield ATPE member, who attended an orientation at Arlington Classics Academy in Arlington.

• Diane Benavides, an ATPE member from Region 2, who covered events in Benavides, Bishop and London ISDs and at St. Mary’s Academy Charter School in Beeville.

• Miles Brougton, an ATPE member from Region 10, who attended events in Alvarado and Venus ISDs.

• Janice Hornsby, a McLennan County ATPE member and the Region 12 ATPE treasurer, who covered an event in Axtell ISD. • Cynthia Jones, an Aldine ATPE member, who attended events in Cleveland, Hitchcock, La Marque and Liberty ISDs. • Kim Kriegel, Waxahachie ATPE president, who attended events in Everman and Itasca ISDs.

• Joni Reese, Andrews ATPE president and the Region 18 ATPE treasurer, who covered orientations in Denver City, Greenwood and Paint Rock ISDs. • Kathryn Rhodes, a Corpus Christi ATPE campus representative, who attended an orientation in Tuloso-Midway ISD.

• Mary Bryan, Burleson ATPE membership chair, who recruited at an orientation in Everman ISD.

• Annabelle Ruhd, a Harlandale ATPE member, who attended orientations in Fort Sam Houston, Gonzales, Navarro, Pleasanton, South San Antonio and Southside ISDs.

• Past ATPE State President Tim Fogarty, a Denton ATPE member, who covered orientations in Aubrey, Pilot Point and Valley View (11) ISDs.

• Wanda Williams, a Mesquite ATPE member, who recruited at events in Alba-Golden, Gladewater, Quitman, Winnsboro and Winona ISDs.

• Donna Gibbon, a Cypress-Fairbanks ATPE member, who attended an event in Hempstead ISD.

• Jan Womack, Goliad ATPE president, who covered orientations in Cuero, Kenedy and Yorktown ISDs.

Humble ATPE Campus Rep Allan Griffin stands near Humble ATPE’s bus advertisement. The local unit purchased the ad this year as a way to promote Humble ATPE and increase membership in the district.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GAYLE SAMPLEY

• Teresa Gross, Andrews ATPE past president, who covered orientations in Denver City, Greenwood and Paint Rock ISDs.

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ATPE’s first Tailgate Challenge scored high All-star education advocate: Diane Nix Each year, ATPE presents the Sam Houston Award for Political Involvement to an individual member who illustrates outstanding achievement in grassroots political involvement. The 2012-13 recipient is Diane Nix of Mesquite’s local unit, known as the Mesquite Education Association (MEA), who has been a member of MEA’s executive board for 15 years and is a member of its legislative committee. Nix attends ATPE events such as Lobby Day and regional political involvement meetings; her goal is to stay involved and informed so that she can help fellow members and colleagues become education advocates, too.

“Being politically active is important for our children, our school district and our profession,” Nix says. “Taking an active role at the local and state levels is one way we all can have a voice in what we do every day.”

Nix received the award based on her leadership in the following five areas of education advocacy: • Local school district policy involvement: Nix serves as a teacherleader. In the past, she has informed the community about school bonds and organized political candidate forums.

In mid-October, the ATPE state office challenged local units and regions to recruit as many new members as possible prior to Nov. 29. The three local units and two regions that recruited the most members—new or renewing in any membership category—between Oct. 21 and Nov. 29 won $1,000. Plus: The top three local units also received a Texas-sized tailgating party with barbecue, cake, games, prizes and team spirit.

The 2013 ATPE Tailgate Challenge winners are: Local units with 1–200 members: Terrell ATPE

Local units 501-plus members: Houston ATPE

Local units with 201–500 members: Nacogdoches ATPE

Regions: 10 and 13

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to all who participated in the challenge.

And don’t forget—ATPE recruiting is a yearround effort!

• Legislative and advocacy involvement: Nix keeps everyone informed by presenting legislative updates to MEA’s facility representatives and to her colleagues.

• Elections: Nix volunteers as a deputy registrar, gives elderly neighbors rides to the polls, shares primary and early voting information, and helps other teachers during her conference time so that they may vote. She also enjoys volunteering with the campaigns of proeducation candidates. “ My favorite aspect is the chance to be involved with the issues, to get to know the candidates and to feel like they would call me for information,” Nix says. “This helps me talk to others about getting involved.”

• ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) fundraising: Nix regularly promotes ATPE-PAC, and she helped to organize ATPE-PAC silent auctions for her local unit and region—both of which won the 2011-12 Davy Crockett Fundraising Challenge.

• ATPE Legislative Action Network (LAN) recruitment: Every year Nix focuses on signing up new employees and substitutes for the LAN. “ It’s crucial to be an educated voter,” says Nix. “Teach the Vote is also a wonderful tool that I use and suggest to those who want more information on candidates.”

Down, set, recruit!

Leader

Spotlight Hilda Martinez—ATPE’s top recruiter in 2012-13—shares her tips on recruiting

Hilda Martinez ■ ■

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Substitute teacher in La Joya ISD a Joya ATPE vice president and L campus rep | Region 1 ATPE second vice president 0-year education veteran | 2 6-year ATPE member

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uring the 2012-13 school year, Hilda Martinez recruited an amazing 104 ATPE members. A year before ATPE Executive Director Gary G. Godsey challenged members with “Each One, Reach One,” Martinez was living the idea.

Recently, ATPE asked Martinez about her recruiting and dedication to the association.

ATPE: What first attracted you to ATPE? Martinez: The fact that I will be represented in my time of need is what gives me peace of mind.

ATPE: Why do you remain a member of ATPE? Martinez: I remain a member because I believe in the organization as a whole: the promise that the protection will be there when needed, the extensive work that our lobbyists do at the state and national levels, and, of course, all of the resources and discounts offered.

ATPE: Congratulations on being ATPE’s top recruiter for 2012-13! What do you think made you such a successful recruiter?

Martinez: I would have to say it’s my personality and charisma. I’m very easy to approach, and I am very good at explaining both in English and Spanish. I always have a big smile on my face because it’s what convinces people that I am not a fake. I would like to add that my local unit and region are very supportive; they have been instrumental in opening many doors for me, talking to the right people, and allowing me to be myself when I go out and recruit.

ATPE: What’s the first thing you tell potential members about ATPE? Martinez: I tell them about our low-cost member dues and explain to them the difference between us and the competition.

The next thing that interests most of them is the vast amount of resources and discounts available through our organization.

ATPE: Do you ever follow up with the members you recruit? Why or why not?

Martinez: As a substitute teacher, I get to visit many of the campuses I go out and recruit at, so it’s easy to say yes [to that question]. I ask them if they have taken any of the free webinars and if they have made use of their discounts.

ATPE: Do you have any advice or tips for other members who are interested in upping their recruitment numbers?

Martinez: At our Region 1 ATPE meetings, I tell local units that in order for numbers to increase, recruitment has to be a team effort. I don’t go out there blindly.

My local unit president, Norma Vega, writes a letter to our superintendent at the beginning of the year, and that’s what opens the doors for any of us to visit their campuses. If anyone has a retired member who can sit in the teacher’s lounge during their lunch and ask to speak to them while they eat, I’m sure their numbers will go up. I have been doing this since school started, and I can say that the majority of my applications have come through making the time and effort.

ATPE: And a fun one: What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time when you’re not at school or recruiting for ATPE? Martinez: Reading and spending time with my family and friends. I love Nicholas Sparks, and I have read all of his books, including his latest, The Longest Ride. I read it in four days; it was hard to put that book down. My family is my inspiration for everything I do; I want them to be proud of all that I accomplish because if it wasn’t for them, I would not be where I am right now.

My friends are also very important because they accept me just the way I am. A

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Nuts about ATPE M eet the 2 0 1 2 - 1 3 C amp u s R epresentatives of the Y ear

Katherine Whitbeck

Sierra Villalovos

Helen Bradley

Nacogdoches

Houston

Irving

Katherine Whitbeck understands the power of a good visual aide.

“To communicate with non-ATPE members on our campus,” she writes, “I rely on signs and posters. I post the box-stuffers that I receive from the ATPE state office ... I post copies of ATPE Legislative Action Network emails, membership drive announcements, ATPE Foundation information, Book of the Month Club announcements and other professional learning information.”

Whitbeck also calls attention to the fact that ATPE is “an educators’ professional organization” rather than just a “teachers’ group,” so that “all of our colleagues realize that they are valued and included.”

At age 13, Sierra Villalovos is the youngest campus rep in ATPE history. But just because she’s not working in the classroom doesn’t mean she’s not clear on the benefits of belonging to an association. “I talk about ATPE all of the time, and I wear my ATPE and Teach the Vote shirts as much as I can,” she says. Together with a teacher at her school, Joseph Foster, and her mom, Houston ATPE President Cynthia Villalovos, Villalovos spreads ATPE information at campus and district events.

She also puts out materials and breakfast foods for educators during Supporting Your Freedom to TeachSM Week. “I want to double how many members we have at my school,” she says.

Helen Bradley understands that the start of every school year can be stressful, particularly for new teachers, but she makes an effort to connect with them as best she can. Bradley reaches out to new teachers at district orientations and provides them with ATPE materials. “Having factual information to share with them showing the benefits of ATPE seals the deal,” she says. Bradley is also known on her campus for the special note she puts in educators’ mailboxes: It reads “You’d Be Nuts Not to Join a Professional Organization” and features Bradley’s contact information and an invitation to talk with her for more details. “To make sure they notice it,” she says, “I attach a bag of peanuts.”

Villalovos, recipient in the category for local units with 501–1,000 members, is a student at Houston ISD’s Hamilton Middle School.

Bradley, recipient in the category for local units with 1,001-plus members, is a social studies teacher at Irving ISD’s Nimitz High School.

Whitbeck, recipient in the category for local units with 1–500 members, is an ESL teacher and the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) coordinator at Nacogdoches ISD’s Nacogdoches High School.

Apply for the 2013-14 Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Award by March 3, 2014.

Visit www.atpe.org/LeaderCentral/Awards/campusrepinfo.aspx for more information.

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2012-13

Local Units of Houston Baptist University Category: University ▸ Region 4 ▸ Chartered in 1987 ▸ 174 members ▸ 2012-13 officers: President Amy Wethington, Vice President Jenneth Olivaras, Secretary Blanca Dimas, Treasurer Kaylyn Court, Historian Abigail Cisneros and Projects Manager Juanita Camarillo; sponsors Dr. Linda Brupbacher and Dr. Kaye Busiek

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ouston Baptist University ATPE is prominent on campus and within the education department. In addition to its standard roles as an ATPE local unit, 2012-13 HBU ATPE President Amy Wethington says: “The local unit provides opportunities for students to make friends, network, receive program information and updates, participate in meaningful service [and learn about] topics not covered in the content of their courses.”

In 2012-13, a projects manager position was added to the local unit’s officer structure to bring an added focus to off-campus activities and community service. Members volunteer with citizens young and old in the community: They tutor at two Houston ISD schools and help residents at a nearby retirement home learn how to use technology.

During a local elementary school’s

2012-13 HBU ATPE Historian Abigail Cisneros, Secretary Blanca Dimas, President Amy Wethington, Treasurer Kaylyn Court and Projects Manager Juanita Camarillo jump at the chance for an officer photo.

annual field trip to HBU, members serve as hosts to help the students explore college opportunities.

On campus, the organization co-sponsors the annual HBU School of Education Teaching and Learning Symposium.

HBU encourages students to consider education-related advocacy issues and learn more by reading ATPE publications.

To raise awareness among all education students about ATPE meetings and events, the officers post fliers around campus, send text message and email reminders, and coordinate with their professors to make in-class announcements.

Wethington says that during the 2012-13 school year, her local unit was able to

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increase its average meeting attendance to about 25 to 40 people. That’s up from three to 10 people the previous school year. HBU ATPE did this by surveying members at the beginning of the year to learn what topics interested them. Each month, HBU ATPE has hosted speakers on topics such as classroom management, handling stress and student teaching. At one meeting, a principal visited to give members job search tips.

“Providing our future educators with topics they want to hear about has really helped raise the overall attendance at meetings,” Wethington says. “These enriching topics provide great service to our members.”

HBU ATPE increased meeting attendance by surveying members at the beginning of the year to learn what topics interested them.

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the Year

Looking for new ideas for your local unit?

These local units share how-tos for success

McAllen Category: 1–500 members ▸ Region 1 ▸ Chartered in 1981 ▸ 259 members ▸ 2012-13 officers: President Daisy Palomo, Vice President Twila Figueroa, Treasurer Maria Trevino and Membership Chair Ma Elena Ingram 2012-13 McAllen ATPE Membership Chair Ma Elena Ingram accepts McAllen ATPE’s award from 2012-13 ATPE Past State President Cheryl Buchanan.

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cAllen ATPE prides itself on being one of the founding local units in its region. In their award application, the local unit’s officers write: “We continue to live up to our bylaws and are one of the most active locals in Region 1. We have strong local members whose vision remains to best represent our district in our ATPE region activities.”

One big focus of adhering to the bylaws is the local unit’s election process each May. McAllen ATPE prepares for this by beginning to recruit potential officer candidates in late March.

In 2012-13, the organization was active at ATPE and Region 1 events and the Save Texas Schools Rally.

After the summit, the local unit leaders meet to share information and photos from the event, pass out applications and promo orders, and set the year’s meeting dates. Campus representatives are given

the freedom to personalize their recruiting process: Each receives a $20 HEB gift card for the purchase of treats for their campus.

McAllen ATPE members have been active in the community, advocating for city bike lanes, and hosting a book signing for Zapata ATPE member Gerardo Montes, author of My Grandmother’s Tortillas. Several members belong to McAllen ISD’s Joint Professional Consultation Committee (JPCC), which worked alongside the teacher organizations to host a McAllen ISD school board candidate forum.

In 2012, the district’s payroll office requested that ATPE update every member’s information. The local unit hustled

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to meet with campus reps, send emails to all members, print informative fliers and set robo calls to members. Through this process, ATPE worked with the JPCC to standardize the deduction process for all organizations.

“We were able to create change for all teacher organizations represented within MISD to assure that all deductions were done accordingly and in a timely manner to avoid legal coverage lapses,” says 2012-13 Membership Chair Ma Elena Ingram.

The organization builds relationships with nonmembers and members of other organizations. Last year, McAllen ATPE invited other organizations to attend McAllen ATPE’s Christmas Posada. Ingram noticed that this worked as a recruitment strategy.

One big focus of adhering to its bylaws is the local unit’s election process each May. McAllen ATPE prepares for this by beginning to recruit potential officer candidates in late March.

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Houston Category: 501–1,000 members ▸ Region 4 ▸ Chartered in 1988 ▸ 703 members ▸ 2012-13 officers: President Cynthia Villalovos, Vice President Jason Orlando, Secretary Michael Holton, Treasurer Linda Burks and Past President Jim Cumming Houston ATPE President Cynthia Villalovos accepts her local unit’s award from 2013-14 ATPE State Secretary Cory Colby.

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ouston ATPE President Cynthia Villalovos says that, in 2012-13, Houston ATPE was in rebuilding mode. “As the largest district in Texas,” she writes. “We feel like it’s our responsibility to make ATPE a thriving organization in Houston.”

The local unit revamped its management structure so that each officer is responsible for a committee that takes on projects and ideas in a designated area of expertise. The officers make sure everyone knows her role within Houston ATPE, and they keep members informed of short- and long-range goals.

In 2012-13 Houston ATPE grew its membership total from 543 members in 2011-12 to 703 members by the end of the year. Houston ATPE focused its recruiting message around free professional learning. “Sometimes new teachers do not think they need protection,” Villalovos writes. “But they all need CPE

hours.” The local unit also targeted its marketing efforts by handing out promo bags with information about ACTIVE Life professional learning opportunities to HISD coaches, health teachers and nurses, while career and technical education teachers received information about ATPE’s partnership with TCEA. Throughout the year, Houston ATPE distributes boxstuffers and includes information about the Legislative Action Network or Teach the Vote in every newsletter and email.

“Our biggest retention tool has been our e-blasts and newsletters,” says Villalovos. “Most union ‘converts’ never received anything helpful and are happy to receive ATPE information.”

The local unit even publishes a news-

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letter for campus representatives. “Wellinformed volunteers are more successful on a personal and professional level.”

Houston ATPE doubled its campus reps from the previous year by issuing itself a campus rep recruiting challenge.

The local unit is making itself known in the community through outreach and service. Last year, Villalovos represented Houston ATPE while discussing social media in the classroom on a Houston TV station.

The local unit centered its community service projects on Houston ISD, holding a book drive at one campus. “We want to put ATPE in as many campuses as possible and let teachers know that we are here for them,” Villalovos says.

“Our biggest retention tool has been our e-blasts and newsletters.

Most union ‘converts’ never received anything helpful and are happy to receive ATPE information.”

Tell us about the great work your local unit is doing!

Nominate your ATPE local unit for the 2013-14 Local Unit of the Year Award by visiting www.atpe.org/ LeaderCentral/Awards/localunitinfo.aspx. Entries for university local units, local units with 1–500 members, local units with 501–1,000 members and units with 1,001-plus members are due by March 3, 2014.

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Mesquite Category: 1,001-plus members ▸ Region 10 ▸ Chartered in 1982 ▸ 2,304 members ▸2 012-13 officers: President Kristi Petty, President-Elect Kevin Morgan, Vice President Amanda Snyder, Secretary April Domenico, Treasurer Debbie Massey and Membership Chair Anita Young 2013-14 ATPE State Vice President Richard Wiggins presents 2012-13 Mesquite President Kristi Petty with the Local Unit of the Year Award.

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he local unit in Mesquite, known as Mesquite Education Association (MEA), works to build relationships and strong lines of communication with its school board, facility representatives, members, and new and future educators.

MEA is proud of “the wonderful working relationship that it has with the school district,” writes 2012-13 MEA president Kristi Petty. “Our mutually beneficial relationship has remained strong and continues to promote camaraderie and professionalism for all.”

Every fall, MEA’s executive board, committee members and facility representatives received training at four in-depth sessions covering ATPE membership, political involvement, the local sick leave bank, and the privileges and responsibilities of being a facility rep.

During orientations, facility reps welcome new educators with goodie bags. Some facility reps host “eat and chat” sessions at lunch for new educators at their campuses. The MEA president

also conducts a presentation for student interns and residents.

MEA holds meetings on the same day as the school board’s meetings so that members can easily attend both meetings. Facility reps meet once a month with the superintendent to hear answers to member-submitted questions as well as to learn more about policies, procedures and legislative issues. The executive board and facility reps receive $10 to compensate for the cost of local unit dues, and facility reps who attend every meeting receive an incentive at the end of the year. MEA relies on facility reps as “the driving force of communication,” Petty writes. “This helps ensure the communication process is ongoing throughout the year.”

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MEA maintains contact with area legislators as well: Mesquite sent 18 members to Lobby Day, and last year the officers were invited to a MISD-hosted luncheon with Rep. Kenneth Sheets. At one facility rep meeting, a county voters’ registration representative certified reps as volunteer deputy registrars.

MEA sells Entertainment Passbooks with DFW-specific discounts and holds a silent auction to raise money for scholarship awards. More than $8,000 in scholarships was given to 13 students, two student intern/residents and two paraprofessionals at the MEA spring banquet. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban spoke at the banquet, pro bono, and met the recipient of the Mark Cuban Award scholarship.

MEA holds meetings on the same day as the school board’s meetings so that members can easily attend both meetings.

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Plug in and power up through ATPE leadership training, the House of Dele-

Level

The Next

July 9–11 • Austin Convention Center

the 2014 atpe summit

gates and professional learning

Plug in and power up through ATPE leadership training, the House of Delegates and professional learning.

Achieving great heights 2013 ATPE Membership Award honorees

The following local units were recognized for outstanding membership growth during the Membership Awards Luncheon at the 2013 ATPE Summit. An asterisk (*) indicates a new award recipient in the category.

2K Club

Birdville

Apex Award

Local units with 2,000+ members:

Boerne* Brownsville

Local units with at least 90% growth:

Mesquite

Bryan

Murchison*

Plano

Comal

Tarleton State University*

Grand Club Local units with 1,000– 1,999 members: Austin Carrollton-Farmers Branch* Cypress-Fairbanks Denton Garland Humble Irving Katy Killeen Lewisville* North East

Conroe Corpus Christi

Allen

Andrews Archer City

Ballinger

Hays

Dallas Baptist University*

Blum

Houston

Karnes City*

El Paso Fort Bend *

Hurst-Euless-Bedford Leander Mansfield Pasadena Richardson San Antonio

Tyler

Alief

Iraan-Sheffield*

Local units with at least 75–89% growth:

Edinburg

Round Rock

Abilene

Local units with 50–74% of potential membership:

Azel

Schertz-CiboloUniversal City

Local units with 500–999 members:

Holliday

Structure Award

Dallas

Northside (20)

500 Club

Green Apple Award

Foundation Award

Baird Bandera Boerne Bonham Bremond Brooks County

Local units with at least 50–74% growth:

Bushland

Baylor University

Chapel Hill (8)

Center Point Chisum

Red Apple Award

City View Connally

Weslaco

Local units with 75–89% of potential membership:

Willis*

Driscoll*

Ysleta

Falls City

Waxahachie

Hale Center Woden

Claude* Crowell Ennis Ferris Forsan* Gholson* Grand Saline

Amarillo

Haskell

Arlington

Hawley

Beaumont

Iowa Park* Jacksboro Johnson City Junction Kerens Kress Lago Vista Marion McDade Mount Vernon Murchison* Normangee Olney Palacios Palmer Petrolia Pettus Prairiland Ricardo Rio Hondo* Sonora Spearman Stanton* Throckmorton Warren* Waxahachie Westwood Willis Wilson

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Top-notch advocates The William B. Travis ATPE-PAC honorees

The members below donated $100 or more to the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) from May 2, 2012–May 1, 2013.

They were honored for their contributions during the Membership Awards Luncheon at the 2013 ATPE Summit.

Abilene: Tonja Gray

Eldorado: Jennifer Engle

Lumberton: Jackie Arthur

Alvin: Ron Fitzwater

Ennis: Ronda Hollingsworth, Carolyn Huebel

Lytle: Leslie Pedrotti, Irene Robbins

Ferris: Meredith Malloy

McAllen: Twila Figueroa, Ma Elena Ingram, Daisy Palomo, Dwight Smith

Amarillo: Nelson Bishop, Candi Burlingame, Shane Whitten Andrews: Jordan Griffin Arlington: Carole Lemonds Ballinger: Carolyn Little Beaumont: Kirk Brown, Bickie Coffey, Suellen Ener, Glen Rabalais, Patrice Rabalais, Rhonda Schell

Fort Bend: Kathy Aaron, Cathy Duvall Friends of public education: Ann Bonner, Deryl Elms, Michael McClain, Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly Galena Park: Lissa Shepard

Medina Valley: Bertha Benedetti Mesquite: Jerry Bonham, Carol Davies, Barbara Jo Green, Janice Houston, Debbie Massey, Diane Nix

Plano: Caryn Bartle, Paul Bartle, Lindsay Beattie, Jill Gipson, Andra Harris, Denise Schuler, Linda Warzusen, Rosalie Watkins River Road: Linda James Robinson: Mary Betke, Kimberly Cowart San Antonio: Sheryl Bibles, Tina Briones, Glenn Ellison, Byron Hildebrand, Debra Holzman, Carlos Perez

Garland: Jackie Davis, Robert Jackson, Julia Lepek, Jed Reed, Jane Via, Nichole Waggoner

Midway (12): Jason Forbis

Goliad: Yvonne Meharg

Mount Vernon: Rita Long

Somerset: Penny SturmBorkert

Hale Center: Brenda Bryan, Lynette Ginn

Nacogdoches: Katherine Whitbeck

Spring Branch: Meredith Boane

Harlandale: Marsha Huggins

Stanton: Teresa Griffin

Burleson: Mary Bryan

Houston: Ann Petrillo

North East: Linda Kallies, Lola Miller, Olga Rubio

Carrollton-Farmers Branch: Nichie Hoskins, Keri Minier

Humble: Gayle Sampley

North Lamar: Jerry Jarrell

Irving: Deb Bellew, Connie Kilday, Kristin Kilday, Gary Schepf

Northside (20): Laura Campbell, Kathy Day, David de la Garza, Evelyn Hardaman, Belinda Lerma, Sylvia Lopez, Bobbye Patton, Lynda Stark, Misty Tegeler

Birdville: Bill Monty Blanco: Mike McClure Boerne: Margie Hastings, Teri Nail, Richard Wiggins, Jeri Willis Bowie: Beckey Scott, Toni Stone

Clear Creek: Martha Anne Pierson Cleburne: Tena Alexander Coleman County: Sarah Beal

Jacksboro: Lynn Anderson, Kristi Daws, Elizabeth Reynolds Jefferson: Bessie Rhodes

Monahans-Wickett-Pyote: Vicki Greenfield

Sherman: Kristi Brashier, Charrie Waters

State office: Brock Gregg, Kate Johanns, Mike McLamore, Amy White Teague: Cari Martin, Sue Persons Tyler: Betty Berndt, Eddie Hill Vidor: Janice Brent Waco: Sandra O’Connor, Patty Reneau

Katy: Hellen Secrist

Olney: Becky Spurlock, Sam Spurlock

Keller: David Williams

Palmer: Gina Godding

Crowley: Jeannie Evans, Steve Pokluda

Killeen: Eileen Walcik, Melissa Walcik, Ron Walcik

Paris: Deann Lee, Abby Rogers

Waxahachie: Robin Brown, Dale Kriegel, Kim Kriegel

Cypress-Fairbanks: Stephanie Bailey

Krum: Betty Plunkett

Pasadena: Sharon Sellers Harrison

Weslaco: Aggie Aguirre, Roger Gutierrez

Pflugerville: Greg Vidal

West: Janice Hornsby, Sue Melton, Kay Whitley

Corpus Christi: Monica Gonzalez-Rios, Jackie Hannebaum, Rose Perez

Dallas: Dianne Reed, Nancy Sims, Beverly Stone Del Valle: Mary Hopkins, Debbie Luciew-Nelson Denton: Diane Benbow Dickinson: Ann Zamora Education Service Center (11): Marcia Williams

La Vernia: Clay Bordner, Karen Campbell, Margaret Stanush Lackland: Rosemary Carrion, Julie Mihalko, JoAnne Moulder Leander: Carol Rogers, Jayne Serna Lewisville: Greg Alexander, Tim Fogarty, Karen Hames, Samantha Montano

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo: Michael Sweet Pine Tree: Sherron Van Camp Pineywoods: Ginger Franks, Randi McQueen

Warren: Sue Allen, Kay Daniels

Wichita Falls: Belinda Wolf Willis: Cory Colby, Judi Thomas, Donna Ward Woden: Bernard Franks, Malinda Holzapfel Ysleta: Jennifer Adams

15

Let’s get together

Boost attendance with these creative meeting ideas If your local unit or region ATPE meetings are beginning to feel a bit dull, it might be time to think outside the cafeteria. These local units and regions hold unique and lively meetings to encourage attendance and participation by members new and old.

Strike up a conversation ▸ In August 2013, Region 1 collected around $1,000 worth of school supplies for the charity Teach the Children at its third annual bowling event.

The event started when Region 1 Treasurer Michael Sweet suggested a region-wide community service project and officers brainstormed how to make the event social and fun. Every year, 2013-14 Region 1 Director Roger Gutierrez says he sees more and more new faces at the event. Gutierrez believes the event gives new members a great entry point to ATPE and that it gives the region a chance to talk to members about taking a volunteer position. He says it’s much easier to invite members to go bowling than it is to invite them to attend a business-focused ATPE meeting.

Vote for Starbucks Mansfield ATPE holds many of its campus rep meetings at Starbucks because it’s centrally located among the district’s schools. But in June 2013, officers invited all Mansfield ATPE members to drop by Starbucks, enjoy a complimentary drink and vote for 2013-14 Mansfield ATPE officers. Ballots were located on a few tables, and 2012-13 Mansfield ATPE President Donna Sibila had a prepaid Starbucks card on hand to allow members to order a drink as they came and went.

Give them a hand Ysleta ATPE held a campus rep appreciation day a few weeks before heading back to school this August. Campus reps met at a nail salon to receive their 2013-14 recruitment materials and were then treated to a manicure or pedicure.

Do you have a creative meeting idea?

Email details of the event to comm@atpe.org for possible inclusion in a future ATPE publication.

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