Fall 2013 ATPE News by Association of Texas Professional Educators

s u p p o r t i n g

y o u r

f r e e d o m

t o

t e a c h

A new era

for Texas students and educators fall 2013 | ATPE.org

Answers to your questions on testing and TRS | PAGE 15

The case for social and emotional learning page 8

Meet ATPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new executive director page 18 S U P P O R T I N G YO U R F R E E D O M TO T E AC H

Introducing the

ATPE Teacher Support Program

An all- new webinar and book study series

Through ATPE’s newest professional learning program, ATPE is providing educators who are in their first through third year of teaching or new to their content area or grade level with resources, networking opportunities, mentors and continuing professional education (CPE). The program offers three tiers of participation, so choose the tier that best suits your needs.

Mark your calendar for Teacher Support Program webinars Free for ATPE members and $25 per webinar for nonmembers.

Tuesday, Sept. 17 . . . . . . . Classroom Management Thursday, Oct. 17 . . . . . . . Parental Involvement/Outreach Thursday, Nov. 14. . . . . . . Educator Code of Ethics/Education Law Thursday, Jan. 16. . . . . . . Differentiated Learning Wednesday, Feb. 5. . . . . . Preparing for STAAR/EOC Thursday, March 20. . . . . Integrating Technology Into the Classroom Thursday, April 3. . . . . . . . Working with Children from Varying Socioeconomic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Status Backgrounds Thursday, June 12 . . . . . . Reflection and Planning for Next Year: What Worked, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and What Didn’t? CPE credit will be issued after each webinar is completed.

Join us for online book studies Sept. 14–Nov. 1 The First Days of School by Drs. Harry and Rosemary Wong Dec. 10–Jan. 21 Letters to a Young Teacher by Jonathan Kozol

Find more info and registration links at www.atpe.org/teachersupport.

f a l l

2 0 1 3

■

V O L U M E

3 4

■

N U M B E R

18 features

Answers to your TRS and testing questions

The 83rd regular legislative session produced big changes for the Teacher Retirement System story (TRS) and the state’s testing and graduation requirements. Although the changes were generally positive and should help alleviate some pressing problems, it can be tricky to understand how the changes will be applied and how they will affect you. ATPE Governmental Relations makes the picture clearer in this Q-and-A.

cover

Meet ATPE’s new executive director

During the ATPE Summit, the ATPE House of Delegates confirmed the selection of Gary G. Godsey as the association’s next executive director. Godsey is only the third executive director in ATPE’s history and emerged as the finalist of an exhaustive search by the ATPE Board of Directors. Godsey brings to ATPE his extensive experience in nonprofit management, having served as president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and most recently as CEO of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. ATPE News sat down with Godsey to discuss his plans for ATPE’s future success.

fall 2013

special sections 20 Setting sail for new adventures More than 1,000 members bid bon voyage to retiring Executive Director Doug Rogers and welcomed ATPE’s new captain, Gary G. Godsey, during the 2013 ATPE Summit. 28 Master recruiters Meet the members of the Ben Shilcutt Plus Club, who have turned sharing information about ATPE into an art form. 32 Your Association 2013-14 state and region leaders · State officers deliver your message in D.C. · Grant for Teaching Excellence recipients · ATPE Communications wins industry awards · ATPE Foundation news and grant opportunities · Tenet focus: Local control of public schools · ATPE-PAC Honor Roll · Kudos · Family Album

departments 4 President’s Message 5 Calendar 6 News Briefs 8 In the Classroom

0 Para-educators’ Place 1 12 Tech Support 47 Snip-its

columns 13 Legal Opinions Is it safe to use your smartphone at school? 14 Capitol Comment Five reasons the ATPE advocacy team works for you

atpe.org | 3

president’s message

The official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators

STATE OFFICERS

Ginger Franks Richard Wiggins Cory Colby Julleen Bottoms Deann Lee

President, Pineywoods (7) Vice President, Boerne (20) Secretary, Willis (6) Treasurer, Corsicana (12) Past President, Paris (8)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Roger Gutierrez Weslaco (1) Jackie Hannebaum Corpus Christi (2) Andy Erdelt Palacios (3) Ron Fitzwater Alvin (4) Bill Moye Warren (5) Judi Thomas Willis (6) Janie Leath Nacogdoches (7) Rita Long Mount Vernon (8) Kristi Daws Jacksboro (9) Jackie Davis Garland (10) David Williams Keller (11) Vacant TBD (12) Jayne Serna Leander (13) Tonja Gray Abilene (14) Darlene Kelly Ballinger (15) Shane Whitten Amarillo (16) Lynette Ginn Hale Center (17) Teresa Griffin Stanton (18) Socorro Lopez San Elizario (19) Tina Briones San Antonio (20)

ATPE STAFF

Gary G. Godsey Executive Director Alan Bookman Deputy Executive Director Laura Sheridan Associate Executive Director

ATPE NEWS STAFF

Gary G. Godsey Executive Editor Kate Johanns Communications Director/Editor John Kilpper Senior Graphic Designer Mandy Curtis Senior Copy Editor/Writer Erica Fos Graphic Designer Alexandria Johnson Copy Editor/Writer Jennifer Tuten Communications Specialist/ Advertising Coordinator ATPE News contains legislative advertising contracted for by Gary G. Godsey, Executive Director, Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78752-3792, representing ATPE.

Ginger franks by john kilpper

We are just days away from the beginning of another school year— and, as a teacher, it will be my 32nd first day of school. I must confess I still feel excited and a bit scared the night before the first day of school. I never sleep much at all between pondering the fun of a brand-new year and simultaneously wondering what kind of year it will be. In a way, ATPE is facing a “first day” this year. It’s been almost 25 years since we had a new executive director. Just like the beginning of school, this first day for us is exciting but filled with the unknown. But I feel confident that this is going to be an incredible year in ATPE’s amazing history. How do I know this, you ask? As one of your state officers, I had the opportunity to work with the ATPE Board of Directors as we selected our new executive director, Gary G. Godsey, whom you will meet on page 18. Gary is bringing to ATPE what a new, exceptional curriculum brings to your classroom—you still have many of your tried-andtrue ways of teaching, but you also have fresh ideas that bring rejuvenation you did not know to be possible. I also know we have the best staff and members that there could ever be. ATPE has never been known to shy away from any situation. In fact, challenges are what we seem to do best. Success is the product of our teamwork. (For an example of the teamwork of our staff and members, turn to page 15 to read about changes to testing and the Teacher Retirement System. We are in a very positive position thanks to the hard work of ATPE’s lobby team and politically involved members.) There’s one other reason why I know this year will be incredible: Because that is what we all want for ATPE, and we will all be working together to achieve it. You can compare ATPE to a student in your classroom. Alone, you can make some progress, but when you work alongside a child’s parents, your fellow teachers, your principal and the many others who have an impact on that child, your success is that much greater. We will all be working together to make fantastic things happen for ATPE! Isn’t this “first day,” or 2013-14 year, going to be awesome for ATPE? I so look forward to working with you as your state president. Please have a wonderful year—and try to get a good night’s sleep!

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); nonmembers, $10 per year. Extra copies $1.25 each. Published by the Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E. Huntland Drive, Suite 300, Austin, TX, 78752-3792. Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing ofﬁces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ATPE News, 305 E. Huntland Dr., #300, Austin, TX, 78752-3792. Advertising rates may be obtained by sending a written request to the above address. Opinions expressed in this publication represent the attitude of the contributor whose name appears with the article and are not necessarily the ofﬁcial policy of ATPE. ATPE reserves the right to refuse advertising contrary to its purpose. Copyright 2013 in USA by the Association of Texas Professional Educators ISSN © ATPE 2013 0279-6260 USPS 578-050

Ginger Franks ATPE State President

4 | atpe.org

atpe news

calendar

August 26 Bills passed by the 83rd Legislature become law 26–30 Supporting Your Freedom to TeachSM Week

September 4 TCEA webinar: Futuristic Technologies (free for ATPE members) 17 Teacher Support Program webinar (Classroom Management)

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

30 Last day to join ATPE or renew (other than online) to avoid a 30-day wait for employment rights defense insurance to be effective

Renew by credit card at:

Email photos of your celebrations for the chance to win a pizza party for your colleagues and a $750 donation to your school’s library: member_services@ atpe.org

October

www.atpe.org/ joinATPE

17 Teacher Support Program webinar (Parental Involvement/Outreach)

18 ATPE Foundation Golf Tournament

19 ATPE Membership, Minority & Diverse Population Recruitment, Nomination/ Election, Services and Leader Development committees meet

23 TCEA webinar: Supporting Multiple Intelligences Through Technology (free for ATPE members)

31 Life insurance open enrollment ends

November

Learn more about ATPE’s newest professional learning program at: www.atpe.org/ teachersupport

1 ATPE Foundation Technology Grant application deadline; early voting for uniform election ends

45˚

5 Election Day

8–9 ATPE Board of Directors meeting

r2 r3 swing plane

11 Veterans Day

13 TCEA webinar: Holiday Lessons K–5 (free for ATPE members)

14 Teacher Support Program webinar (Educators’ Code of Ethics/Education Law)

www.atpefoundation.org/ golftournament.aspx

27–29 ATPE state office closed for Thanksgiving holiday

THE EDUCATORS PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY IS UNDERWRITTEN BY NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE CO. OF PITTSBURGH, PA. ALL COVERAGE IS SUBJECT TO THE EXPRESS TERMS OF THE MASTER INSURANCE POLICY ISSUED TO ATPE AND KEPT ON FILE AT THE ATPE STATE OFFICE. Coverage applies to an insured’s activities within his/her professional capacity and does not apply to activities that predate the coverage period. View a detailed summary at atpe.org. Eligibility for ATPE membership benefits is contingent upon ATPE’s receipt of the entire annual membership dues amount for your appropriate membership category. A disruption in payments to an authorized payment plan may result in discontinuation of such benefits, including cancellation of insurance coverage for the entire membership year retroactive to Aug. 1 or your membership date. ATPE reserves the right to determine eligibility for the appropriate membership category. The membership year runs from Aug. 1–July 31.

Learn more about this one-time opportunity for life insurance: www.atpe.org/resources/ servicesanddiscounts

call (800) 777-2873 to be put in touch with your region officers red dates indicate atpe deadlines

fall 2013

atpe.org | 5

news briefs

by Alexandria Johnson, copy editor/writer

Reviving the Renaissance man

Photo by ATPE System Administrator Brian Park. Park and his daughter, who is a Manor ISD student, had the opportunity to see Obama speak this May.

Obama spotlights promising Texas high school Austin-area Manor New Tech High School was one of five schools recently spotlighted as a model example for President Barack Obama’s High School Redesign Initiative. This initiative encourages districts and communities to modernize high schools by creating personalized learning and optimized instruction time; new content, experiences and counseling designed around career and college exploration; and postsecondary credit opportunities. Manor New Tech High School admits students through a lottery system and offers a project-based learning environment where every student receives a laptop and a STEM-oriented (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) course load. According to New Tech Network, the nonprofit partnered with the school, around half of Manor New Tech students qualify for free/reduced lunch. The 2011 class had a 97 percent graduation rate, and every graduate was accepted to college. Obama also visited the school in May as part of his “Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour.” Source: www.newtechnetwork.org; http://bit.ly/schoolredesign

Kindness increases students’ popularity In 2012, researchers asked half of the students in 19 Vancouver classrooms to perform a random act of kindness each week and the other half to visit a new place each week. The students, ages 9 through 11, participated in activities such as hugging their mom and sharing their school lunch, or visiting the baseball fields and grandmother’s house. After these activities, both sets of students reported increased feelings of well-being. However, the students who performed acts of kindness also saw increased popularity in their classrooms. Feelings of well-being were self-reported; popularity was measured by surveys where each student circled those whom they would like to spend time with. According to the study authors, these findings are significant to educators because previous studies have found that the overall mental health of a classroom is improved if all students are on equal footing popularity-wise. Source: http://bit.ly/kindclassrooms 6 | atpe.org

atpe news

The United States can’t afford to lose sight of humanities and social sciences education, warns a 2013 report by the Academy of Arts and Sciences. The report comes at a time when many leaders are jumping aboard the STEM train and the U.S. is cutting federal funding for international training and education—even as other nations expand general education programs. The report suggests improvements to allow the U.S. to remain a strong, competitive and innovative society that excels in an interconnected world. According to the report, subjects such as philosophy, religion, ethics, arts, sociology, political science and economics are essential to understanding human nature, uniting people behind common beliefs, and remaining adaptable in a diverse and changing world. A general education equips citizens with the criticalthinking skills—problem-solving, creativity, interpretation, critical analysis and communication—needed for a 21st-century workplace. In a short film accompanying the report, producer George Lucas, a member of the commission, explains, “Sciences are the how, and the humanities are the why. Why are we here? Why do we believe the things we believe in? I don’t think you can have the how without the why.” Source: www.humanitiescommission.org

Talking in code Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, NBA player Chris Bosh, Sen. Marco Rubio and actor Ashton Kutcher are just a few of the big names who want students to learn computer programming. These celebrities have been recruited by Code.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing computer science education to all K–12 schools. Code.org projects that by 2020, there will be 1.4 million programming jobs available, yet only 400,000 computer science students. To prevent this potential 1 million-employee shortage, Code.org is working to raise awareness about the value of programming. At the advocacy level, the organization is pushing to incorporate computer science classes into graduation requirements. (On a related note, House Bill 5, the omnibus education bill passed by the 83rd Texas Legislature, has a provision that would allow students to fulfill foreign language credits through programming classes.) At the student level, the website features a slew of encouraging words such as this Steve Jobs quote: “I think everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” But, even more importantly, Code.org provides students with online coding resources, such as Codeacademy, which allows students to teach themselves how to code. And, at the school level, Code.org provides K–12 curriculum tools that can help educators bring coding into their own classrooms. Plus, for those who want to prove to students that Black Eyed Peas singer Will.I.Am really did say “great coders are today’s rock stars,” you can play a short video of successful entrepreneurs discussing their experiences learning programming.

The Homes for Texas Heroes Home Loan Program helps educators purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage. Down Payment Assistance: Eligible educators can receive a 30-year fixed rate mortgage loan and a grant for down payment assistance, of up to 5% of the loan amount Tax Credit: Eligible educators can qualify for a Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) which provides an annual tax credit of up to $2,000 each year. You must be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for the MCC. First-time homebuyers can use both the MCC and the down payment assistance.

Find out if you’re eligible! www.tsahc.org/homeownership 1-877-508-4611 fall 2013

atpe.org | 7

in the classroom

by Alexandria Johnson, copy editor/writer

More than a feeling What do social and emotional skills have to do with academic performance? Everything, according to growing evidence, which is why Austin ISD is at the forefront of a new program that centers on whole child development.

8 | atpe.org

research organization. Sherrie Raven, AISD’s social and emotional learning director, says, “The Collaborating Districts Initiative is a real push to say, ‘We know we can do this in individual schools, but can we build something that will last in a large urban district?’” Since 2011-12, AISD has been implementing SEL by “vertical teams” (one high school, plus all elementary and middle schools that feed into it) with the help of a CASEL consultant and financial support

from the local community and the NoVo Foundation, in addition to district funding. The school board has also made the “whole child” a priority, and everyone from parents to counselors to AISD’s chief academic officer seems to be on board. By 2015-16, SEL will be in every AISD school. Each of AISD’s vertical teams has a dedicated SEL coach who works with each school every two to four weeks so that it’s not “one-shot professional development,” according to Raven.

Social & Emotional Learning Core Competencies

Photo by CASEL: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning

lthough skills such as selfawareness, responsible decision-making, and relationship development are guaranteed to be essential in life and career, many schools focus solely on students’ academic development. However, some schools are making time for social and emotional learning (SEL) programs, which teach these noncognitive skills in the classroom. Research proves that students who receive evidencebased SEL (those SEL programs proven through research to be effective) not only have improved social interactions and attitudes toward themselves and others, but also improved academic performance, motivation, behavior, attendance and graduation rates. With one meta-analysis of 213 schoolbased SEL programs showing that SEL boosts a student’s academic performance an average of 11 percentile points compared with students who haven’t received SEL, it’s no wonder advocates believe SEL should be a part of every 21st-century curriculum. In Texas, Austin ISD is leading that charge by working to bring SEL to every school in the district and eventually to every Texas student through a long-term goal of incorporating SEL into TEKS standards. In 2011, AISD was one of the first three districts in the nation invited to join the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning’s (CASEL) Collaborating Districts Initiative. A pioneer of SEL, CASEL was founded in 1994 as a SEL think tank and

This CASEL chart identifies and defines the five core social and emotional learning competency clusters.

atpe news

Book review: SEL in the classroom

and then discuss outcomes after the lesson. According to Raven, there are three Anecdotally, Raven says, AISD is parts to SEL instruction: working on climate and culture, explicit instruction already seeing great results. After one year of SEL, the sixth-graders at one and curriculum integration. middle school had 40 percent fewer AISD chose to launch its program discipline issues during the first six with explicit instruction taught by weeks than the class before them. One classroom teachers for 30–40 minutes high school’s freshman class has had once a week. This allows teachers to a 40 percent drop in discipline issues reinforce the teachings throughout and in the failure rate. Counselors the week. The school counselor is the find that they have more time for tier program facilitator on most campuses. two and tier three interventions. And Explicit instruction consists of Raven says principals have noticed developmentally appropriate SEL lesthe program is sons, so while “rubbing off ” second graders on teachers, who are learning are solving probhow to respond Check out www.pinterest.com/ lems better with to playground atpe/social-and-emotionalone another. exclusion, learning for ideas on how Raven says seventh graders to bring SEL teachings into educators who are learning your own classroom. don’t have a about bullying schoolwide and coping program can with stress. At still incorporate the high school SEL practices by building a community level, AISD is really at the forefront and culture in the classroom that offers of learning what works best for SEL students choice and decision-making implementation. High schools curopportunities; challenging, engaging rently offer explicit instruction, either lessons; and the ability to process inforin advisory or as a freshman seminar, mation and/or move every 20 minutes. but Raven believes that curriculum This certainly doesn’t mean throwing integration will become most critical in high school once students have received out positive behavior supports or common expectations, Raven says: “This is SEL in K–8. Raven says curriculum putting the pieces together: SEL is the integration, which shows students that bedrock teaching of the skills that let SEL skills are used all the time, can kids do what you want them to do.” occur in two different ways: ▸ Content integration—For example, Raven says ultimately teachers find that they more than recoup the time when teaching about the American from SEL lessons because they’ve Revolution, also discuss alternative taught their students to resolve their conflict resolution. ▸ Pedagogical integration—For example, own conflicts and to stay on task. “The tradeoff, our teachers would tell tell students “today during group you, is well worth it,” Raven says. A work, your SEL objective is to make sure everyone participates equally,”

fall 2013

A different take on success In the book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell sets out to prove his theory that “there is something profoundly wrong with the way we make sense of success.” In a series of case studies, he analyzes the lives of the “remarkable among us” in order to uncover their secrets to success. He argues that success is not based solely on an individual’s position in life or family or even his talent. Instead, Gladwell believes, “Outliers are those who have been given opportunities— and have had the strength and presence of mind to seize them.” Isn’t “success” the goal of education? As public educators, we want to give our students opportunities and guide them toward seizing them in order to be successful. This book helps one realize that there are ways in which we can guide both our students and ourselves toward our own definitions of success. This national bestseller is the focus of the next ATPE Book Circle study beginning Sept. 27. All educators are welcome to read and discuss this book for seven hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credit. Visit www. atpe.websitetoolbox.com to view a course syllabus and to sign up for this free professional learning opportunity. —Kris Woodcock, ATPE professional learning manager

atpe.org | 9

para-educators’ place

by Mandy Curtis, senior copy editor/writer

Master Jugglers Meet the finalists for ATPE’s Associate of the Year award

TPE’s Educator of the Year Awards recognize all categories of outstanding public school educators—the administrators who lead campuses and districts; the elementary and secondary teachers who stand at the head of classrooms; the special services educators who staff the libraries, nurse’s offices and technology departments, among other locales; and the para-educators who assist whenever and wherever they might be called to serve. ATPE honors para-educators each year through the Associate of the Year Award. For 2012-13, we had three finalists: Darlene Kelly, an office manager for the Special Education Co-Op department of Ballinger ISD; Mary Reyes, a math and science assistant in Lackland ISD; and Charrie Waters, a principal’s secretary in Sherman ISD. During the Awards Banquet at the 2013 ATPE Summit, Reyes was named Associate of the Year. In their award applications, these exceptional para-educators described their educational philosophies and the opportunities they find in their daily roles.

“My concept of an outstanding associate is someone who can work in any situation that arises and do their best,” writes Darlene Kelly, who works as the office manager for Ballinger ISD’s Special Education Cooperative office, which also oversees special education services in Coleman and Winters ISDs. “You can say that I wear many ‘hats’ [with] my duties as office manager ... At the co-op office, we feel like we are one happy family. We lovingly call our co-op group our ‘work family.’ I am truly blessed to work where I love my job and enjoy working each day.”

Mary Reyes

Charrie Waters

“An outstanding associate is someone that is a performer, planner, organizer and supervisor,” writes Mary Reyes, who assists in math and science classrooms at Lackland ISD’s Lackland Elementary School. “All these concepts come into play when working side-by-side with a teacher or administrator to help the students learn and achieve their goals. “My reward is when I see happy faces or waves of students as they leave for the afternoon and say, ‘See you tomorrow, Ms. Reyes!’ That makes my day. My response is, ‘I will be here tomorrow!’ My job is my home away from home. I really enjoy getting up every morning and look forward to another day in school.”

“My co-workers think of me as the ‘glue’ that holds the office together,” writes Charrie Waters, who is Principal Clinton Petty’s secretary at Sherman ISD’s Piner Middle School. “I do not consider myself that important, because it takes all of us to make the wheel run smoothly. An outstanding associate is one who creates the atmosphere of teamwork, with everyone wanting to help each other complete tasks. Having a positive and supportive attitude with students, staff, parents and visitors helps create a pleasant and productive work environment. I have to be dependable, flexible, caring and conscious of the tasks I am given to complete.”

▸ Learn more about the ATPE Educator of the Year Awards at atpe.org.

10 | atpe.org

atpe news

Darlene Kelly

The ATPE Mobile App ATPE is available whenever, wherever Download the official ATPE Mobile App to: • Stay up-to-date on education and legislative news. • Carry a mobile membership card. • Access information about ATPE’s valuable services and discounts. • And more! Scan this QR code or visit the App Store or Google Play to download this free app for your iOS- or Android-powered devices.

Reach more than 100,000 educators through ATPE News, the award-winning magazine published quarterly by Texas’ preeminent educators’ association. ATPE News is the recipient of two 2013 EXCEL awards from Association Media & Publishing: • Silver Award in the Magazines: Editorial category • Gold Award in the Magazines: Cover Illustration category

ATPE News offers: • In-depth looks at education issues. • News about the association and its members. • Tools for the classroom. • Legal info relating to public school employment. • Updates on legislative actions that impact public schools. Classified ads start at $100 per issue, and retail ads start at $450 per issue.*

Visit www.atpe.org/Resources/ ATPENews/advertise.asp to learn more. *Retail ad rate is based on a 12-month agreement. Frequency rates are offered for multiple insertions.

tech support

by Mandy Curtis, senior copy editor/writer

Fall forward There’s no better time than back-toschool to organize and investigate the technology you use in and around school. Below are some tips and ideas that will help you start the 2013-14 school year on the right foot—technologically speaking.

Organize Although we’re headed into autumn, not spring, the start of a new school year is a perfect time to do a little “spring cleaning” with the technology on your campuses and in your classrooms. • Clean your computers. If you have computers in your classrooms that students use, be sure to check them over before the start of the new year. If you keep files from year to year, put everything from last year’s classes into a folder marked 2012-13. If you don’t want to chance your new students accessing these old files, save them to a flash drive (see Tech Term below). You might also want to physically clean the computer hardware using compressed air or electronic specific cleaners. (Kids can be grubby!) Please note: Before using any sort of cleaner on your hardware, check with your district’s IT department to make sure you’re adhering to district policy. • Double-check your privacy settings. Everyone loves to share vacation photos online, but not everyone loves when their students run across them while searching the Internet. Make sure that the privacy settings on your social media sites, particularly Facebook, properly “hide” any

Tech Term

12 | atpe.org

Flash drive:

material you might not want your students to see. Also, consider making your Instagram and Twitter accounts private. • Update your materials. Make sure the dates on any online materials you use with your students or your colleagues reflect the change to the 2013-14 school year. Do you use Google Docs to share files or Evernote to store ideas? Create a new 201314 folder or notebook. If you have a Web page housed on your district’s website, be sure to update it to reflect the new year as well.

Investigate If you’ve been wanting to add more technology into your life, profession or curriculum, the start of the new year is also a great time to try new things. • Create an online network. Join Twitter or a similar social media site so that you can create a network of your peers. Educators of all shapes and sizes (i.e., all age ranges and content areas) are using Twitter as a place to share ideas and create communities. (Read our Tech Support on Twitter and education at http://bit.ly/ RiseoftheHashtag.) • Open Google, Dropbox and Evernote accounts. Two of these online services/applications were mentioned briefly above, but if you’re not already signed up for accounts, you should do so. We’ve covered the education benefits and uses of Google Apps and Evernote in previous Tech

Support columns (which you can read at http://bit.ly/JustGoogleIt and http:// bit.ly/EvernoteandEducation, respectively). Dropbox is another online storage space that enables users to store files in the cloud—which makes them accessible from any computer via the Dropbox website (dropbox.com) or device using the Dropbox app— and to share files with other people through links in email or social media. Please note: When using any of these applications, be sure to be aware of confidentiality requirements when it comes to storing student records. •S pend some time on the Internet. So many education-related opportunities and resources are available on the Internet, often for free. For example, a quick Google search of the term “elementary art projects” brings up more than 23 million results. And don’t forget—ATPE membership comes with a variety of resources you can use to expand your technological involvement, including professional learning opportunities, webinars, Pinterest boards and more. (Access all of ATPE’s resources at atpe.org.)A

A data storage device that stores data and most often connects to a computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. USB flash drives are erasable and rewritable and serve much the same purpose as the floppy disks or CD-ROMs of yesteryear.

atpe news

The start of a new year is a great time to make updates

by Lance Cain, ATPE staff attorney

legal opinions

Outsmart your smartphone How to safely use personal devices at school and school-issued devices at home

As most of us know but many of us forget— computer use almost always leaves a trail that cannot be erased by the delete button.

Fifteen years ago, few of us could have predicted that a single portable device would serve as a phone, a calendar, an alarm, a calculator, a map, a camera, an encyclopedia and a Rolodex (Google it). As we increase our reliance on powerful new devices such as smartphones and tablets, it’s sometimes a struggle to maintain an appropriate boundary between personal and work-issued devices, as well as between personal and professional use of technology. Educators can benefit from many applications of technology, but the use of smartphones and tablets does come with potential risks, particularly if you are not very tech-savvy. Here are a few examples of common technology concerns educators might face.

Acceptable use policies Most districts require employees to sign an agreement outlining acceptable use of the district’s technological resources, both hardware (e.g., computers) and programs (e.g., the district’s network). Acceptable use policies typically focus on prohibiting inappropriate or excessive personal use of the district’s Internet. You should always be familiar with your district’s policy and follow it; plus, you should remember that—as most of us know but many of us forget—computer use almost always leaves a trail that cannot be erased by the delete button. What you can do can haunt you. There is very little right to privacy when using district computers, so your employer may track your Internet use to see what websites you have visited. Administrators can likely also read any emails you send or receive from your district email account. There might even be limited privacy with your personal email account—again, know the policy. Finally, it is a good practice to log out of any websites when you’re not present in order to prevent unauthorized use by students or co-workers that might later be attributed to you.

Using your own device at school Before using your own device at school, consider these three main areas of concern: Are you using it inappropriately while at work? Could students

inadvertently view your personal photos or messages? And are you unintentionally sharing personal information by syncing your device to the district’s network? The first two can be avoided by following district policy, using good judgment and safeguarding your device; avoiding the third can be more complicated. Most districts’ policies will cover when it is permissible for employees to use their phones. Avoid potential negative employment action by familiarizing yourself with these policies. Also, recognize that connecting to the district’s network via Wi-Fi constitutes using district resources even if you are connecting on a personal device. You should never use the district’s network to access inappropriate materials—even if you are viewing them on your personal device. It’s also a good idea to keep close tabs on your phone while you’re at work and protect it with a password. You would not want a student “finding” your phone and discovering personal texts or pictures of you out with friends. Lastly, take steps to avoid your phone syncing with the district’s network; one such step would be turning off wireless connectivity while you’re at work. Otherwise, your phone might attempt to connect to the district’s network without your knowledge. This could result in all of the data on your phone, including texts, emails, pictures and websites you’ve visited, being transferred to the district. You probably don’t have anything to hide, but why risk turning over personal information to your employer? (Maybe you’ve searched for information about a personal medical condition. You wouldn’t want to share that.)

Using district-issued devices at home Some districts issue portable laptops or tablets to employees. Not only can these be a great asset in the classroom, but also they can help educators keep track of lesson plans, parent communications and grading. Keep in mind that if you’re allowed to use the device for personal business as well as school business, you might be held financially responsible Continued on page 44

fall 2013

atpe.org | 13

capitol comment

By Brock Gregg, ATPE Governmental Relations director

We want you for the ATPE advocacy team Five reasons ATPE works for—and with—you

You determine our direction, position and priorities with direct access to our legislative program during annual meetings of the ATPE House of Delegates. ATPE is the voice of real Texas educators.

By nature, educators are advocates. The American and Texan way of life persists because of you. You pass on knowledge from one generation to the next, paving the way for the future. Think about the song you feel in your heart when a student’s mind lights up in understanding. That’s the feeling that draws you back to the classroom time and again, despite any obstacle. That same passion is at the heart of the ATPE advocacy program. ATPE’s education advocates— whether staff lobbyists or members—pass on knowledge from public schools to the Legislature, state agencies and Congress in order to make a positive impact on the political and policy issues of our day. The fact that members like you are valued members of our advocacy team helps ATPE stand out from the pack. Allow me to use a fishing analogy: We don’t give our members fish for a day, nor do we adopt a bait-and-switch approach, changing the agenda when it doesn’t produce. Rather, we teach our members how to fish so they are in control of their own destiny as educators and advocates for students. ATPE’s advocacy program, from its philosophical foundation to its resources, helps members realize their dreams of changing the world through practical methods that achieve change at the legislative level. ATPE’s advocacy works for and with you. Here are five reasons you are empowered as a member of our advocacy team.

1. You determine our program First and foremost, we know that Texas educators are an independent-minded lot, and they expect to be represented accordingly. Our members decide what ATPE advocates. Member-owned, member-governed means that you and the direct needs of your students decide what we stand for and against. Our voice is not that of a national union, a partisan political agenda, or a huge multinational conglomerate or corporation seeking to profit off of students. You determine our direction, position and priorities with direct access to our legislative program during annual meetings of the

14 | atpe.org

ATPE House of Delegates. ATPE is the voice of real Texas educators.

2. You decide how to vote ATPE participates heavily in politics to back up our legislative agenda. Doing so is a prerequisite to success in today’s policy arena. We use your voluntary ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) donations to influence elections, but you and your fellow members decide how much you want to donate—or whether you want to donate at all. We provide exhaustive resources on legislative candidates’ positions on public education issues, but we don’t tell you how to vote or which party to support. And we don’t get involved in issues outside of public education. We don’t use ATPE’s name to endorse candidates. Instead, we encourage all educators to vote in their students’ best interests and in their own best interests. We simply ask that you vote. You make the choice when you go to the polls.

3. You have TeachtheVote.org ATPE’s TeachtheVote.org is one-of-a-kind in our industry. This online advocacy community is where ATPE gives you and the public all of the information we can find on candidates’ education stances so you can make your own independent choice in elections. It’s also where we report on all of the action and where we define and clarify our education positions. The Teach the Vote blog provides a forum where educators can discuss hot issues, and our lobbyists live-tweet from the Capitol @TeachtheVote. Plus, Teach the Vote is a nifty way to describe all of our advocacy efforts. We truly are teaching the vote.

4. You have a passionate staff In addition to our more than 100,000 members, including more than 5,000 volunteer leaders, ATPE’s advocacy team includes passionate, experienced lobbyists in Austin and in Washington, D.C. The ATPE lobby team is well-respected and knows how to get things done with integrity and continued on page 44

atpe news

A new era

for Texas students and educators By Ethan Herr and Jennifer Canaday, ATPE Governmental Relations

The 83rd regular legislative session produced big changes for the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s testing and graduation requirements. Although the changes were generally positive and should help alleviate some pressing problems, it can be tricky to understand how the changes will be applied and how they will affect you. The following questions and answers will help make the picture clearer. If you have additional questions, please contact ATPE Governmental Relations at government@atpe.org or (800) 777-2873.

fall 2013

atpe.org | 15

SB 1458: TRS eligibility and contribution changes Senate Bill (SB) 1458 was signed into law June 14. The bill makes sweeping changes to TRS eligibility requirements, raises contribution rates and creates a new district-level contribution in order to generate needed funding for the system. Will I have to be 62 years old in order to receive full TRS retirement benefits? Any active educator who is not yet vested in the system will have to be 62 years old and meet the Rule of 80 (meaning that his age plus years of service must equal 80) in order to qualify for full TRS retirement benefits. That means any active educator with less than five years of TRS service credit and future educators hired after enactment will have to be 62 years old in order to be eligible for full retirement. (Educators in this group were already required to be at least 60 years old and meet the Rule of 80 in order to receive full benefits.)

What is the penalty for retiring before age 62? A penalty of 5 percent for each year under age 62 will be applied to members who retire early.

Will I have to be 62 years old in order to be eligible for upper-tier TRS-Care retiree health care coverage? Yes. Most educators will now have to be 62 years old in order to be eligible for the TRS-Care 2 and 3 plans. You are not subject to this change if, as of Sept. 1, 2014, you are 50 years old, you have 25 years of service credit, or your age plus years of service is equal to 70.

Is my TRS contribution rate going up? Yes. Your current contribution rate is 6.4 percent. The member contribution will increase to 6.7 percent in 2015, 7.2 percent in 2016 and 7.7 percent in 2017.

Is the state’s contribution rate also increasing? Yes, the state’s contribution rate will increase to 6.8 percent. It is currently at 6.4 percent.

How much will school districts contribute? SB 1458 creates the first-ever district-level employer contribution. The rate is 1.5 percent. When added to the state’s contribution rate, the overall employer contribution level will be 8.3 percent, which is higher than the employee’s contribution rate.

16 | atpe.org

Will districts be responsible for funding the new employer contribution? Yes, it will be up to districts to find the funding for the 1.5 percent employer contribution.

Will these changes make the system actuarially sound? Yes, these changes establish the framework for a system that is actuarially sound. This is important because it should help stave off attempts to convert the system from its current defined benefit plan, which guarantees members a lifetime benefit, to a defined contribution plan, in which benefits would depend on returns and be subject to market fluctuations. Actuarial soundness is also required by state law before retirees can be granted a cost-of-living increase, which TRS retirees have not received since 2001.

Will I receive a cost-of-living increase? Yes, you will receive a cost-of-living increase if you retired on or before Aug. 31, 2004.

How much will the cost-of-living increase be? The cost-of-living increase will be 3 percent, capped at $100 per month.

HB 5: New testing and graduation requirements House Bill (HB) 5 by House Public Education Committee Chairman Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock (R–Killeen) calls for reducing testing and granting schools and students greater flexibility in graduation requirements. How many tests will students be required to take? HB 5 decreases the number of mandatory end-of-course (EOC) tests from 15 to five. EOCs will be required for Algebra I, biology, English I, English II and United States history. The English I and II end-of-course assessments will cover both reading and writing, eliminating the need for separate tests. Senate Education Committee Chairman Sen. Dan Patrick (R–Houston) estimates that students and teachers will endure at least 40 fewer testing days under the HB 5 changes. The bill also limits the amount of time students can be removed from regular classes for test preparation or remediation. In addition to the five required tests, districts will have the

atpe news

option of administering EOCs in Algebra II and English III for the purpose of measuring post-secondary readiness. Although these scores will be reported to TEA, they may not be used for accountability purposes, for determining students’ course grades or class rank, for teacher evaluation purposes, for college admission or for determining eligibility for a TEXAS Grant (a college financial aid program established by the Legislature).

Will EOC tests still count for 15 percent of students’ course grades? No, the law will no longer require students’ EOC scores to count as 15 percent of their final course grades. HB 5 also prohibits the use of students’ EOC scores to determine class rank or entitlement to automatic college admission. Colleges may consider students’ EOC scores for admission purposes but may not treat EOC scores as the sole criterion.

What is the Foundation High School Program? HB 5 replaces the minimum, recommended and advanced high school graduation programs with a single diploma for all students under a new “Foundation High School Program.” The curriculum requirements for the foundation diploma are as follows: • Four English/language arts credits, including English I, English II, English III and one advanced English course; • Three math credits, including Algebra I, geometry and one advanced math course; • Three science credits, including biology, at least one advanced science course, and either integrated physics and chemistry or an additional advanced science course; • Three social studies credits, including U.S. history, one-half credit each in government and economics, and one credit in world geography or world history; • Two foreign language credits (although some students, such as those with certain disabilities, will be authorized under State Board of Education rules to substitute other courses);

The bill requires personal graduation plans and counseling about endorsements and post-secondary options for each student. Students must declare their intent to pursue an endorsement upon entering ninth grade, but they may change their endorsement at any time. Parental consent is required for a student to graduate without an endorsement.

Will there be an advanced program? Students will be allowed to earn a distinguished achievement designation, which will be necessary for automatic college admission under the “top 10 percent” rules. (Students who complete only the foundation program are still eligible to apply for regular college admission.) A student who earns an endorsement and completes four credits each in math and science, in addition to the other foundation diploma requirements, is eligible for the distinguished achievement designation. A student may also earn an acknowledgment for achieving an industry certification or for outstanding performance in a dual-credit course or on certain nationally recognized tests such as the SAT or ACT.

Will there be a transition period? The commissioner of education will adopt a transition plan to implement HB 5 beginning with the 2014-15 school year. Initial plans can be found at http://bit.ly/HB5implement2. A student who enters ninth grade before the 2014-15 school year must be permitted to choose between completing the new foundation high school program or one of the three programs being replaced (minimum, recommended or advanced). Also, students who are entering seniors in the 2013-14 school year and who do not satisfy the requirements of the minimum, recommended or advanced high school program in which they are currently participating must be allowed to graduate if they have met the requirements of the new Foundation High School Program.A

• Five elective credits; • One fine arts credit; and • One physical education credit. (Students with disabilities or illnesses who are unable to participate may substitute another course for this credit.)

Can students earn specialized diplomas? Students who take additional or specific courses may earn endorsements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; business and industry; public services; arts and humanities; or multidisciplinary studies. A student must take four math courses to earn any endorsement.

fall 2013

Have more questions? Contact ATPE Governmental Relations at government@ atpe.org or (800) 777-2873. Also, be sure to check out the Teach the Vote blog (www.TeachtheVote.org/news), where ATPE reports on the latest legislative news and Texas public education happenings. Sign up there to have blog posts emailed directly to you, or follow Teach the Vote on Twitter @TeachtheVote.

atpe.org | 17

Onward and Upward ATPE welcomes new executive director Gary G. Godsey Interview by Kate Johanns, ATPE News editor

uring the ATPE Summit, the ATPE House of Delegates confirmed the selection of Gary G. Godsey as the association’s next executive director. Godsey is only the third executive director in ATPE’s history and emerged as the finalist of an exhaustive search by the ATPE Board of Directors. Godsey brings to ATPE his extensive experience in nonprofit management, having served as president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and most recently as CEO of the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. The role of ATPE executive director is defined by the ATPE State Bylaws: “The Executive Director shall be the principal executive of the Association with the responsibility for the general supervision and day-to-day management and direction of the business affairs of the Association. In so doing, he shall be organizationally responsible to the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates.” In order to prepare for his new duties, Godsey began working at the ATPE state office in late June, and ATPE News editor Kate Johanns sat down with him after a week on the job to discuss his plans for ATPE’s future success.

Johanns: Obviously, the selection committee spent hours and hours finding the right candidate, but on the other side of any job hunt, there’s a candidate putting in hours and hours to find out if a position will be a good fit. What attracted you to this opportunity? Godsey: A couple of things were really important to me. One was finding an organization that had a rich history and traditions. I don’t think you can live in the past, but it sure is important to have some track record, history, name recognition and brand identity. So as I did my due diligence, this organization came to the forefront, particularly as it related to putting the children at the center of the universe in public education. That’s really important to me. I really got passionate about public education

18 | atpe.org

through my work with the United Way. We took a leadership role in working with the Dallas Independent School District, and I was exposed to the difference it can make in kids’ lives if you have programs aimed at improving the conditions that exist for them. What we are doing can make a difference in the future of America, not just Texas. Look at the number of kids who are going to graduate from Texas schools: They inevitably end up living all over the country. I saw it as a huge opportunity to be part of an organization that could have that kind of profound impact on the future of America. That might sound a little corny, but that’s the truth. Also, Texas was attractive to me. I love Texas. It’s home for me, and although I’ve strayed away occasionally, I wanted to get back to Texas.

Johanns: So what did you miss most about Texas while you were in Kansas City? Godsey: Definitely the people. Midwesterners are very friendly and accepting, but it wasn’t the community feel that I got when I was in Texas. It just wasn’t. Johanns: As you delved into ATPE’s history, philosophy and tenets, what really spoke to you? Godsey: The compelling vision for what the organization aspires to be. ATPE really isn’t that old in terms of organizational age—if you think about it, 33 years is not that old. I know that we can build on the successes of the past, learn from the mistakes and find new ways to make the organization attractive to the next generation,

atpe news

supported? And what can I expect from the people that I’m volunteering for? Volunteers are the lifeblood of organizations like ours.

The 2012-13 ATPE state officers and new Executive Director Gary G. Godsey: Treasurer Cory Colby, Secretary Richard Wiggins, Vice President Ginger Franks, President Deann Lee, Godsey and Past President Cheryl Buchanan

which will keep it alive and growing in the future. Johanns: One of our greatest strengths has always been our volunteer base. How do you plan to get to know ATPE’s volunteers, and how do you think we can expand our opportunities for them? Godsey: I’m going to visit all 20 regions— not just visit, but I want to go out and listen and learn. My objective over the next year is to go out and meet people where they live. Too often organizations make universal statements about what’s needed, and from what I can tell, and from what I know from having lived in Texas for so many years, is that each community has its own personality and way of doing business. The needs are different—the way people rally around each other, the way they volunteer—all of that’s different. Getting out to where people live and understanding what the needs are and listening to what they have to say is going to be the first order of business. I don’t want to make unilateral decisions for the organization that might work in one community but not in another. However, there are some things that I think are consistent about volunteering. First and foremost, you have to ask people to do it. It’s just like giving. It’s like being an ATPE member. Most likely someone asked an individual to join at some point. We need

fall 2013

to be crystal clear about what we need volunteers to do for us and how we’re going to support them. Too often people become volunteers and they don’t have a good experience because their role wasn’t described upfront, there wasn’t a support mechanism, there wasn’t regular feedback and they weren’t thanked. It’s also very important for volunteers to see the fruits of their labor. I’ve worked for a volunteer board my entire career. Consistently, people who volunteer generally aren’t looking to be thanked. They’re looking to give back—but they do like an occasional thank-you for a job well done. They like to be properly recognized for what they’re doing, and they like to work with measurable objectives. What am I trying to get done? How am I going to be

This was a specific question I was asked when I was interviewing for the position— how can we get more volunteers? It’s by giving them a job to do, having them feel great about it once they do it, and then having them tell other people, “Hey, this is a great place to be involved.” Johanns: Your career thus far has been on the community and philanthropic side of the nonprofit world rather than with membership associations. So what intrigues you about moving to a membership association? Godsey: I believe all of the skills transfer exactly. A member, a donor—they want the same things. They want to know that when they pay their membership dues or make their charitable contribution, something good is going to happen. That they get a set of returns. That they get a set of services. That if I become a member of ATPE, these are the following ways that I’m going to benefit as an educator. When I look at it from a business perspective, it’s the same. We’re looking to make continued on page 44

Meet Gary G. Godsey ▸ Gary has spent his entire career in nonprofit management, serving as president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and most recently as CEO of the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation. ▸ His wife, Vickie, is a retired teacher (though she’s considering heading back to the classroom). Gary and Vickie have two children (Laura and Matt) and three grandchildren (Tyler, Kade and Sofia). ▸ Gary is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University and has a degree in public health administration. He began his career as executive director of the American Cancer Society in Middle Tennessee.

atpe.org | 19

Learning and networking

Supporting ATPE priorities

Without educators, students falter On the first day of this year’s summit, attendees were inspired by presentations by top educational experts and speakers, including Alfie Kohn, Ruby Payne and Adam Saenz, as well as special guests from organizations including ACTIVE Life, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, TCEA and the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented.

ATPE Foundation and Political Action Committee raise funds The ATPE Foundation raised $2,020 that will go toward the support of literacy initiatives, technology programs, and educator recruitment and retention efforts. Part of the donations came from the sale of ATPE Foundation lapel pins. If you missed your chance to purchase one during the event, email admin@atpefoundation.org to find out how you can get one.

Edward James Olmos, the keynote speaker at the summit’s opening general session, shared his passion for humanity and his gratitude for educators, opening his speech with: “Thank you a thousand times over.” He spoke on the fact that educating the mind can help students “find themselves,” and that when children don’t have self-esteem, self-respect and self-worth, that is when they go looking for trouble.

The ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) raised more than $10,000 for future advocacy efforts during live and silent auctions and region caucuses. Special thanks go to auction item donors: • Individuals: Kathy Aaron, Sue Allen, Cheryl Buchanan, Merry Creager, Kristi Daws, David de la Garza, Cheryl Drews, Pam Dunn, Cathy Duvall, Twila Figueroa, Deann Lee, Bridget Loffler, Diane Perdue, Sharon Phares, Elizabeth Reynolds, Amy White • Local units: Andrews, Boerne, Crowley, Ennis, Goliad, Houston, North Lamar, Odessa • Regions: 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20

“Without you,” he told the crowd, “there is no hope.”

20 | atpe.org

atpe news

photos by Erica Fos, John Kilpper and Kate johanns

The more than 1,000 members who attended the 2013 ATPE Summit, July 17–19 in Austin, took part in a day of Professional Learning and Networking (PLAN) featuring a variety of education speakers; attended ATPE leader training sessions to learn how to better recruit and retain members and volunteers; conducted the business of the House of Delegates in keeping with the association’s member-owned, member-governed philosophy; spent quality time with colleagues and friends; and made history by honoring a retiring executive director and confirming the contract of a new one.

Acknowledgments Thank you to our generous sponsors and volunteers The ATPE Summit was a great success thanks in part to the generosity of the following: Financial sponsors Bells Promotional Products, Frost Insurance, the Law Office of Daniel A. Ortiz, the Law Office of Shane Goetz, Long-Term Care Resources, Nationwide Insurance, SeaWorld San Antonio Guest participants and entertainment Chelsea Barbo, Dan Hamiter, Hard Proof, Joni Reese, The Love Leighs, Patricia Verett, Ralf Trusty, Travis Lee, the University of Texas Police Department, Yasmin Ortega Educator of the Year Committee members Chairwoman Merry Creager, Tim Cotton, Imelda Hernandez, Amy Langley, Melba Poppe, Shelly Watson, Leslie Wilson Leader of the Year Committee members Chairwoman Marta Delgado, Meredith Boane, Linda Dairy, Christina Flores, Katy Matthews, Stacy Rector, Jackie Totten Nomination/Election Committee members Chairman David de la Garza, Christopher Adams, Kimberly Cross, Janya Hodge, Leslie Pedrotti, Lissa Shepard, Lynda Stark, Floyd Trimble Scholarship Committee members Chairwoman Janice Hornsby, Eddie Hinojosa, Judy Johnson, Wilma Mysak, Robert Quach, Crystal Tharp, Shannon Ugo

Cruising activities Attendees enjoy fun and lively celebrations at ATPE Central ATPE Central offered guests the chance to unwind after a day of professional learning while enjoying a performance by singer/songwriter Chelsea Barbo, as well as free chair massages. Attendees could also unleash their creative sides by creating paper hats and leis at the “Rad Hatter” booth or by posing with cruise-themed props and costumes in the photo booth. Guests even had the chance to meet two live penguins and a lemur on display at the SeaWorld booth. Both a silent and live auction were held to raise money for ATPE-PAC. Big-ticket items included a baseball signed by

fall 2013

The 2013-14 ATPE state officers (from left): Past State President Deann Lee, Treasurer Julleen Bottoms, Secretary Cory Colby, Vice President Richard Wiggins and President Ginger Franks.

Cal Ripken Jr., a visor signed by Earl Campbell and an ATPE T-shirt signed by former executive director Doug Rogers. To cap off the evening, ATPE staff and members celebrated Rogers’ retirement with a roast in his honor. While Rogers sat at a mock desk set-up with a nameplate that read “The Legend,” ATPE members and staff shared humorous, memorable and possibly slightly embarrassing stories about their times with Doug.

All hands on deck ATPE leaders receive training to prepare them for the 2013-14 school year On Thursday, ATPE volunteer leaders had the chance to attend a variety of leader training sessions that provided information about ATPE’s legal services, ways to beat the competition, how to create a successful local unit and more. These sessions were created to introduce new leaders to their officer roles, remind veteran leaders of the myriad of benefits that come with ATPE membership, and prepare all ATPE volunteers—from campus reps to presidents and everyone in between—for the upcoming school year. Even university students got in on the action with a special session just for them that focused on job-hunting strategies, résumé building tips and why belonging to a professional association is important.

atpe.org | 21

Making the most of the ATPE tenets Where better to watch ATPE’s member-owned, member-governed philosophy come to life than during the annual gathering of the House of Delegates (HOD)? This year, the delegates met July 19 to discuss one bylaws amendment; honorary, standing and current resolutions; the ATPE Legislative Program; and a main motion confirming the contract of Executive Director Gary G. Godsey.

Bylaws amendments The HOD considered one bylaws amendment, which was adopted. Members may visit www.atpe.org/AboutUs to read the updated ATPE State Bylaws. The amendment has the following effect: ATPE retired members may now run for ATPE state office.

Resolutions Honorary resolutions The HOD adopted four honorary resolutions in honor of: • Immediate Past State President Cheryl Buchanan.

• Retiring Executive Director Doug Rogers.

• The late Esther Buckley, a longtime Region 1 ATPE leader.

Standing resolutions The HOD allowed the 13 existing standing resolutions to continue without amendment. Current resolutions The HOD allowed two 2012-13 current resolutions to expire and adopted one new 2013-14 resolution: RESOLVED, that the ATPE Grant for Teaching Excellence award be discontinued as a program and the resolution authorizing the Grant for Teaching Excellence program be expired.

ATPE Legislative Program The ATPE Legislative Program, presented to legislators at the beginning of each legislative session, outlines the association’s legislative priorities and guides ATPE Governmental Relations in its advocacy efforts. After a bit of discussion on position No. 2, the HOD adopted the 2013-14 ATPE Legislative Program as recommended by the Legislative Committee. Review the program at www.atpe.org/Advocacy/LegislativeProgram/ introLegProgram.asp. Main motion The HOD passed a motion confirming the contract of new ATPE Executive Director Gary G. Godsey.

• The late Robert Corley, a longtime Region 12 ATPE leader.

22 | atpe.org

atpe news

Education’s best ATPE honored educators, students, ATPE leaders and friends of Texas public education at the summit during the Membership Awards Luncheon and the Awards Banquet.

Judy Coyle Texas Liberty Award ATPE’s highest honor, which is named after ATPE founding member Judy Coyle and recognizes outstanding service to public education, was awarded this year to retiring ATPE Executive Director Doug Rogers. Rogers has worked in public education for most of his life and has worked at ATPE since 1981 (with a short stint at the Texas Association of School Boards in the late 80s.) This year sees his retirement from ATPE. Rogers worked closely with Coyle during ATPE’s formative years.

Alafair Hammett Media Awards Named for ATPE’s first state president, this award recognizes Texas reporters for their outstanding support and coverage of public education. The 2013 recipients are: Newspapers with a circulation of fewer than 25,000: Bronwyn Turner, The Daily News (Galveston County) Newspapers with a circulation of 25,000 to 50,000: Ann Work, The Times Record News (Wichita Falls) Newspapers with a circulation of more than 50,000: Hayley Kappes, The El Paso Times

ATPE staff service awards

“There is no question that Judy Coyle, in her role as mentor, realized the potential of that special young man she took under her wing some 32 years ago,” 2012-13 ATPE State President Deann Lee said in her presentation of the award. “So it is absolutely fitting that we celebrate tonight that special circle of life, a circle that includes an award named for Judy Coyle, the mentor, being presented to the man who so many years ago started his ATPE journey as the mentee.” Congratulations to the 10 state office staff members honored during the summit for their 120 years of combined experience. Five years of service: Political Involvement Coordinator Edwin Ortiz 10 years of service: Meetings and Conferences Director Andrea Davis, Communications Director Kate Johanns, Revenue Processing Supervisor Barbara McGrath, Payroll and Benefits Specialist Grace Perez, Legal Assistant Tracy Revetta 15 years of service: Program Specialist and Foundation Development Coordinator Joy England, System Administrator Brian Park, Staff Assistant Roger Romero 20 years of service: Associate Executive Director Laura Sheridan

fall 2013

atpe.org | 23

Educator of the Year Awards

children. I am given 175 days to touch, to teach and to inspire them. Every day, every moment, every child counts.”

These awards recognize ATPE members who demonstrate exceptional or innovative capabilities in their respective educational fields.

Finalists: Sarah Beal, Coleman ISD, and Andrea Keller, Irving ISD

Administrator Martin Brumit, assistant principal, Billy Ryan High School, Denton ISD “Outstanding administrators should be strong communicators and even better listeners,” Brumit wrote in his application for the award. “These two go hand-in-hand. An administrator needs to communicate with all stakeholders within the school and community. … We need to have an open-door policy and always be available for our teachers, staff, students, parents and community members. … We need to be in the classrooms and in the hallways interacting with our teachers and students, letting them know that they are special and reminding them why we are here.” Finalists: Denise Kutch, Mesquite ISD, and Cynthia Villalovos, Houston ISD

Associate Mary Reyes, math and science assistant, Lackland Elementary School, Lackland ISD “My concept of an outstanding associate is someone that is a performer, planner, organizer and a supervisor,” Reyes wrote. “All these concepts come into play when working side by side with a teacher or administrator to help the students learn and achieve their goals.” Finalists: Darlene Kelly, Ballinger ISD, and Charrie Waters, Sherman ISD

Elementary Teacher Rachael Brunson, third-grade self-contained classroom teacher at Elsa England Elementary School, Round Rock ISD

Secondary Teacher Kimberly Cross, world geography teacher at Nacogdoches High School, Nacogdoches ISD “It’s ironic that I had to quit teaching to realize that I’m a teacher,” Cross wrote. “With a new sense of purpose, I started over. The kids are different now. I have to try harder and be more creative to keep them engaged. … One thing has not changed—they still teach me how to teach them. “My second career as a teacher has been the most successful. With new perspective, I have progressed from good teacher to outstanding teacher.” Finalists: Ronald Burke, Galena Park ISD, and Stephanie Stoebe, Round Rock ISD

Special Services Educator Susana Andrews, resource and inclusion special education teacher at Rio Hondo Intermediate School, Rio Hondo ISD “My philosophy is that if a child is not learning, then I need to find another way to teach that child,” Andrews wrote in her award application. “Every child is unique, and often we forget that just because we have taught it does not mean that they are going to get it. … I have had the pleasure of teaching in a variety of classroom situations and locations. The one thing that has remained a constant is that children struggle, and if we do not find another way to teach that child, they will not be successful, and that is not acceptable!” Finalists: Ma Elena Ingram, McAllen ISD, and Katrina Reeves, Birdville ISD

“My teaching has evolved over the years, but it has always been rooted in the experiences I had as a child,” Brunson wrote in her application. “Each year, I am given 20-plus students. They are my students in August, and by September they have become my

24 | atpe.org

atpe news

Local Unit of the Year The ATPE Local Unit of the Year Award acknowledges local unit efforts and accomplishments during the year.

University local units Houston Baptist University • Region 4 • Chartered in 1987 • 172 members • 2 012-13 officers: President Amy Wethington (pictured), Vice President Jenneth Olivaras, Secretary Blanca Dimas, Abigail Cisneros and Juanita Camarillo Finalists: Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, Region 2, and Texas Woman’s University ATPE, Region 11

Local units with 1–500 members McAllen ATPE • Region 1 • Chartered in 1981 • 260 members • 2 012-13 officers: President Daisy Palomo, Vice President Twila Figueroa, Treasurer Maria Trevino and Membership Chair Ma Elena Ingram (pictured) Finalists: Burkburnett ATPE, Region 9, and Kermit ATPE, Region 18 Local units with 501–1,000 members Houston ATPE • Region 4 • Chartered in 1988 • 717 members • 2012-13 officers: President Cynthia Villalovos (pictured), Vice President Jason Orlando, Secretary Linda Burks, Treasurer Michael Holton and Past President Jim Cumming Finalists: Birdville ATPE, Region 11, and Boerne ATPE, Region 20

fall 2013

Local units with 1,001-plus members Mesquite ATPE • Region 10 • Chartered in 1982 • 2,308 members • 2012-13 officers: President Kristina Petty (pictured), Vice President Amanda Snyder, Secretary April Domenico, Treasurer Debbie Massey and Membership Chair Anita Young Finalists: Carrollton-Farmers Branch ATPE, Region 10, and Denton ATPE, Region 11

Campus Representative of the Year The ATPE Campus Representative of the Year Award is designed to acknowledge those special ATPE volunteers who are fundamental to the continued growth and development of our grassroots organization.

Local units with 1–500 members Katherine Whitbeck, Nacogdoches ATPE “As an ATPE leader, I am always prepared to answer questions and find out the answers for our ATPE members,” Whitbeck wrote in her application for the Campus Rep of the Year Award. “I reply to emails and forward emails to find out what members need to know. … I am always available to talk with any ATPE member, including those at [Nacogdoches High School], those at other campuses, those who are still students at [Stephen F. Austin State University], and anyone else who is an ATPE member anywhere in Texas.” Finalists: Hilda Martinez, La Joya ATPE, and Jerry Jarrell, North Lamar ATPE

atpe.org | 25

Local units with 501–1,000 members Sierra Villalovos, Houston ATPE “While I was setting up for Supporting Your Freedom to TeachSM [Week], we started talking to one of the teachers,” Villalovos wrote in her application. “My mom and I talked to him about being a campus rep, too. Mr. Foster became the adult campus rep, and I’m the student campus rep. Now, Mr. Foster and I work together to get materials out and recruit new members. … I want to double how many members we have at my school. I want to do more recruiting and more prizes. I think Mr. Foster and I can do it.” (At only 13 years old, Villalovos is the youngest ATPE campus rep to ever win this award!)

ATPE Newsletter Award This award recognizes outstanding local unit newsletters and e-newsletters.

Print newsletter (local units with 1–400 members) Lytle ATPE—Sandra Jopling, editor Print newsletter (local units with 401-plus members) Mesquite ATPE—Kristina Petty and Amanda Snyder, editors E-newsletter Houston ATPE—Cynthia Villalovos, editor

Finalist: Bobby Barnes, Tyler ATPE

Local units with 1,001-plus members Helen Bradley, Irving ATPE “As a teacher, I know how hectic the start of a new school year can be with people demanding completed forms and information everywhere you turn,” Bradley wrote in her application. “This is especially the case for new teachers. … Greeting the new teachers at [new-teacher orientations] brings that personal touch that can make all the difference. Having factual information to share with them that shows all the benefits of ATPE seals the deal.” Finalists: Caryn Bartle, Plano ATPE, and Jill Gipson, Plano ATPE

Sam Houston Award for Political Involvement This award recognizes an individual member’s outstanding achievements in five major areas and overall excellence in the growth and development of individual grassroots advocacy involvement. Diane Nix, McAllen ATPE Nix has long been involved with political advocacy at both the community and state levels, having facilitated legislative updates at Mesquite ATPE meetings for many years. Nix has also been instrumental in training campus representatives and encouraging Mesquite members and educators to become more involved in advocating for public education. “As a two-term past local unit president,” she wrote in her application, “I have continued in this role for more than 15 years.”

Stephen F. Austin honorees Stephen F. Austin honorees are the greatest supporters of the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC). This honor is bestowed based on cumulative contributions to ATPE-PAC since July 1997. This year, ATPE-PAC is proud to announce the seventh member to reach the $4,000 contribution level— Bickey Coffey of Beaumont ATPE.

26 | atpe.org

atpe news

Davy Crockett Fundraising Challenge This challenge was established to recognize the regions and local units that raise the most money per member for ATPEPAC. This year’s winners are: Regions with fewer than 10,000 members—Region 20 Raised $12,675.55/$1.33 per member. 2012-13 Presidents Tina Briones and Mary Reyes Regions with 10,000+ members—Region 10 Raised $18,868.89/$1 per member. 2012-13 President Carl Garner Local units with 1–500 members—Warren Raised $1,496/$16.44 per member. 2012-13 President Kay Daniels Local units with 501–1,000 members—Willis Raised $8,131/$16.04 per member. 2012-13 President Donna Ward Local units with 1,001+ members—Mesquite Raised $4,193.50/$1.82 per member. 2012-13 President Kristina Petty

2012-13 ATPE Political Action Committee Honorees Stephen F. Austin ATPE-PAC Honorees $4,000 Beaumont: Bickey Coffey $2,000 ATPE State Office: Brock Gregg Houston: Ann Petrillo Jacksboro: Elizabeth Reynolds Leander: Jayne Serna Mesquite: Jerry Bonham, Barbara Jo Green Northside (20): Lynda Stark Olney: Sam Spurlock Windham Consolidated: Kathleen Chance $1,000 Alvin: Ron Fitzwater Amarillo: Nelson Bishop, Shane Whitten

fall 2013

Andrews: Teresa Gross Birdville: Bill Monty Boerne: Margie Hastings Cleburne: Tena Alexander Ferris: Betty McCoy Lewisville: Greg Alexander, Karen Hames Midway (12): Barbara Belk Mount Vernon: Rita Long Northside (20): Kathy Day Paris: Abby Rogers San Antonio: Glenn Ellison Stanton: Teresa Griffin Waco: Patty Reneau Weslaco: Aggie Aguirre Whiteface: Cindy Chapman $500 Beaumont: Glen Rabalais Brackett: Pam Melancon Corsicana: Donna Sublett Cypress-Fairbanks: Stephanie Bailey Dallas Baptist University: Judy Abercrombie Del Valle: Mary Hopkins Eldorado: Jennifer Engle Fort Bend: Kathy Aaron Jacksboro: Lynn Anderson Lackland: Rosemary Carrion Leander: Carol Rogers Galena Park: Lissa Shepard Garland: Jackie Davis, Nichole Waggoner Harlandale: Janet McDaniel Humble: James Ellis Maypearl: Debbie Martin McAllen: Ma Elena Ingram Mesquite: Wanda Bailey Nocona: Patti Gibbs North East: Olga Rubio Palmer: Gina Godding Pflugerville: Christie Smith Plano: Paul Bartle San Antonio: Carlos Perez Vidor: Janice Brent West Oso: Dora Cerda Willis: Donna Ward Ysleta: Jennifer Adams

atpe.org | 27

Lastin1

Impressions T h e B e n S h i lc ut t P lus C lu b r e fl e c ts th e b e s t o f ATPE

Top recruiters share their tips for success: 30-Plus Recruited 30 or more new members

Edinburg Amancio Garza

28 | atpe.org

Garland Jackie Davis

Houston Dawn Martinez

Houston Cynthia Villalovos

Iowa Park Annetti Grinnell

“I believe in ATPE as a member-owned and membergoverned organization.”

“I ask [potential members] how they would like to save money.”

“Most teachers don’t think they’ll need insurance, so I remind them that they will need 45 CPE hours a year and ATPE can get them free professional development.”

“I tell colleagues that ATPE gives you the peace of mind to do your job, knowing that you have legal professionals to cover you if a need arises.”

Montgomery Chris Douglas

Palmer Gina Godding

atpe news

Top r e cr uit er he Ben Shilcutt Plus Club is an elite Hilda Martinez,

group of recruiters named after

La Joya

one of ATPE’s founding members. To join

Recruited 104 new members

the club, an ATPE member must recruit at least five new ATPE members. (Top recruiter Hilda Martinez, La Joya ATPE, recruited 104 new members!) Read on to find out whom

“This year I attended one meeting for the transportation department where I was able to recruit more than 90 members. The better informed [educators] are, the easier it is for them to choose ATPE.”

you know in the Ben Shilcutt Plus Club.

º not pictured

Pasadena Charlotte Anthony

Plano Caryn Bartle

Plano Jill Gipson

“After identifying the new staff members, I go to each one personally and inquire if they’ve heard about ATPE.”

“I’m not a hard-sell type of person. I give the facts and let them find out [for themselves].”

“I always seem to be chasing down that one person who commits to joining but doesn’t stop to complete the application.”

fall 2013

Stephenville Brenda Burks

Westwood Kathy Hightower

Willis Donna Ward

Willis Judi Thomas

“I emphasize the insurance component, offering examples of how I’ve seen it help people save their jobs.”

atpe.org | 29

More master recruiters 20-Plus

Recruited 20–29 new members Austin Jackie Seaborn

Angleton Scherri Stroman

Lytle Irene Robbins

Austin Cathryn Harris Heidi Langan

McAllen Elizabeth Munoz

Burkburnett Stacy Brown

Boerne Bob Beckett Teri Nail

Edinburg Michael Balderas

Brownsville Irma Barrientes-Sherman

Fort Bend Cathy Duvall

Bushland Dawn Riley

Garland Robert Quach

Carrollton-Farmers Branch JeVal Myers Amanda Peeler

Irving Cheryl Drews McAllen Ma Elena Ingram

Cleburne Tena Alexander

Mesquite Debbie Massey

Cypress-Fairbanks Stephanie Bailey Rebecca Keels

Midway (12) Jason Forbis

El Paso Amada Hernandez

Plano Lana Adams

Ennis Nanette Moyers

Tyler Candy DuBose

Garland Julia Lepek Greg Platt Nichole Waggoner

Weslaco Rebecca Monsevalles

10-Plus

Recruited 10–19 new members Abilene John Tyson Alief Heriberto Ibarra-Abrego Andrews Teresa Gross Joni Reese

30 | atpe.org

Humble Ann Hill Irving Avalyn Balliet Helen Bradley Lauren Hurt James McCalip Killeen Eileen Walcik Ron Walcik Klein Allen Bettis La Joya Norma Vega

Mesquite Taylor Morris Paris Deann Lee Pasadena Pamela Dunn Linda Escamilla Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Olga Baldazo Mike Sweet Pineywoods Randi McQueen Plano Kelly Hamilton San Antonio Randall Iglehart Tyler Bobby Barnes Betty Berndt Eddie Hill Waxahachie Robin Brown Kim Kriegel Cheryl Mitchell Weslaco Krishna Bugarin Missy Diaz Gilbert Guardiola Colette Lowe Mary Moreno Gloria Silva

5-Plus

Recruited 5–9 new members Alief Jacqui DeRome Jerry Rider Debbie Stolpa

Andrews Tina Hardarson Donny Hearn Laura Miller Austin Lupe Chavez Marcy McNeil Dolly Simeroth Ballinger Darlene Kelly Birdville Cindy Granade Bill Monty Teri Naya Boerne OnaBeth Day Richard Wiggins Carrollton-Farmers Branch Princess Ball Ginny Welch Clear Creek Martha Anne Pierson Columbia-Brazoria Bess Simple Connally Courtney Travis Pamela Dunn Crowley Carlos Diaz Michelle Gates Cheryl Howard Patti Oxentenko John Phillips Crystal Tharp Cypress-Fairbanks Charlotte Godsey Dripping Springs Becky Hutson Edinburg Martin Martinez Ferris Leslie Bukowski Elleen McLean Cicily Samuels

atpe news

Garland Arley Barton Jeanne Davis Sandy Holmberg Rebecca Lowe Myra Murphy Carol Phelps Kim Platt Beverly Purdom Richard Roland Karen Shaw Wayne Shaw Danielle Thrower Seidy Trent Jane Via Kelly Weese Glenda Williams Cherelle Wilson Gail Womack

Karen McCoskey Donna Plunkett Mary Surber Kristi Woodhouse

Harlandale Marta Delgado Blasa Vazquez

Lackland Julie Mihalko

Irving Kathleen Adams JoCarol Adamson Phyllis Ethridge Eric Hall Lisa Lobb Allison Lopez Karen Lowman Yolanda Flores

Judson Marcie Helmke Cassandra Jennings Karis Johnson Killeen Melissa Walcik Jaime Williams La Vernia Lisa Barnes America Guerrero Brandi Hanselka Sharon Westerholm

Lytle Jerrod Cavazos Mansfield Bertha Holguin Mesquite Carol Davies Kathy Maddox Diane Nix

Nocona Patti Gibbs Deana Jacobson Northside (20) Elizabeth Turner Pasadena Christine Browning Maria Izaguirre Darla Kelly Rose Melia VeAnn Richards Kerry Ann Thompson Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Lisa Martinez Janie Ruiz Isabel Vasquez Pineywoods Ginger Franks Mark Whitehead Shannon Whitehead Plano Bill Freeman Rio Hondo Susie Andrews Mari Yanez

San Antonio Sheryl Bibles Debra Holzman Laura Purchis Seguin Geneva Arce Kim Kauitzsch Waco Maggie Campos Waxahachie Nora Crist Leanne Kelley Becky LeBreton Weslaco Laura Balderrama Hector Cruz Maggie Lugo Mamie Miller Kelly Zavala Willis Cory Colby Ysleta Teresa Barrow

º Join the 2013–14 Ben Shilcutt Plus Club The Ben Shilcutt Plus Club recognizes ATPE’s top recruiters. To join the club in 2013-14, submit the names of the new members you recruit by March 3, 2014, using the form available at atpe.org. Personal, computer-generated lists will not be accepted. In addition to being recognized in ATPE publications and at the 2014 ATPE Summit, you will receive a special gift for being a member of the 2013-14 Ben Shilcutt Plus Club: • 5-Plus Club members will receive a desk mate memo valet. • 10-Plus Club members will receive an executive assistant memo valet and one grand-prize* entry. • 20-Plus Club members will receive an executive assistant memo valet, ballpoint pen and two grand-prize* entries. • 30-Plus Club members will receive an executive assistant memo valet, pen set and three grand-prize* entries. Please note: A new member is any individual who was not an ATPE member during the prior school year. First-time professional and associate members who were college students or teacher trainees during the prior school year are also considered new members. Only entries that list five or more new members will be considered, and you must be a current-year ATPE member to qualify as a recruiter. New members will only be attributed to one recruiter. If a new member’s name is included on more than one form, only the first recruiter based on the state office date of receipt will get credit for the recruitment.A The $1,000 grand-prize drawing will take place at the 2014 ATPE Summit in Austin!

fall 2013

atpe.org | 31

your association

state & region leaders

Ginger Franks

Richard Wiggins

Cory Colby

Julleen Bottoms

Deann Lee

President Pineywoods, Region 7

Vice president Boerne, Region 20

Secretary Willis, Region 6

Treasurer Corsicana, Region 12

Past president Paris, Region 8

Franks, a 31-year education veteran, teaches special education in Martinsville ISD.

Wiggins is a special education department chair and has 11 years of education experience.

Colby, a six-year educator, is an AP and dual credit government and U.S. history instructor.

Bottoms, a 21-year education veteran, is a Kâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;5 technology applications teacher and campus technical specialist.

Lee is Paris ISDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state/ federal programs director and has 25 years of education experience.

Region 2

Region 3

Region 4

Region 5

Region 6

Roger Gutierrez

Jackie Hannebaum

Andy Erdelt

Ron Fitzwater

Bill Moye

Judi Thomas

Weslaco

Corpus Christi

Palacios

Alvin

Warren

Willis

Hector Cruz

Monica GonzalezRios

Yvonne Meharg

Stacey Ward

Glen Rabalais

Donna Ward

Weslaco

Goliad

Humble

Beaumont

Corpus Christi

Willis

Vice presidents:

Vice president:

Secretary:

Vice president:

Norma Vega, La Joya;

Darlene Schick,

Eli Rodriguez,

Janice Brent, Vidor

Rose Perez, Corpus Christi

Chris Douglas,

Hilda Martinez,

Tidehaven

Cypress-Fairbanks

Treasurer:

Secretary:

Montgomery

La Joya; J.M. Garza,

Secretary:

Sue Allen, Warren

Jennifer Lindsey,

Secretary:

Brownsville

Joy Roppolo,

Cynthia Villalovos,

Corpus Christi

Joyce Green,

Secretary:

El Campo

Houston

Treasurer:

College Station

Rene Zuniga, South

Treasurer:

Amelia Flores,

Treasurer:

Texas College

Terry Divers, Palacios

Jim Cumming,

Corpus Christi

Amy Langley,

Treasurer:

Houston

Huntsville

Mike Sweet,

Past president:

Pharr-San Juan-

Ann Petrillo, Houston

Charles Lindsey,

Director

Region 1

President

2013-14 Region Officers

2013-14 State Officers

Presenting your 2013-14 ATPE leaders

Alamo

32 | atpe.org

Magnolia

atpe news

state & region leaders

Region 8

Region 9

Region 10

Region 11

Region 12

Director

Region 7

your association

Region 13

vacant

Janie Leath

Rita Long

Kristi Daws

Jackie Davis

David Williams

Nacogdoches

Mount Vernon

Jacksboro

Garland

Keller

Vacant

Jayne Serna

Kimberly Cross

Sandra Patterson

Stacy Brown

Shane Huff

Karen Hames

Sandra Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor

Christie Smith

Nacogdoches

North Lamar

Burkburnett

Kaufman

Lewisville

Waco

Pflugerville

Vice president:

Shannon Whitehead,

Judy Johnson,

Annetti Grinell,

Meredith Malloy, Ferris

Sheri Merritt,

Ron Walcik, Killeen

Michael Perez,

Pineywoods

Mount Vernon

Iowa Park

Secretary:

Lake Worth

Secretary:

San Marcos

Secretary:

Secretary: Belinda

Wanda Bailey,

Secretary:

Patty Reneau, Waco

Secretary:

Kris Ann Bennett, Tyler

Abby Rogers, Paris

Wolf, Wichita Falls

Mesquite

Teri Naya, Birdville

Treasurer:

Beth Wolpman,

Treasurer:

Treasurer: Toni Stone,

Treasurer:

Janice Hornsby, West

San Marcos

Shelly Watson, Woden

Carie Archer, Chisum

Bowie

Wendy Smith, Forney

Vicki Storrie, Denton

President

Leander

Treasurer:

Past president: April

Connie Hernandez,

Tipton, Bowie

Leander Past president: Genie Rolfe, San Marcos

Region 15

Region 16

Region 17

Region 18

Region 19

Region 20

Tonja Gray

Darlene Kelly

Shane Whitten

Lynette Ginn

Teresa Griffin

Socorro Lopez

Tina Briones

Abilene

Ballinger

Amarillo

Hale Center

Stanton

San Elizario

Northside (20)

President

Director

Region 14

not pictured

Chana Appleton

Jose Delgado

Dawn Riley

Ranelle Baldwin

Tina Hardarson

Jennifer Adams

Mary Reyes

Snyder

San Felipe-Del Rio

Bushland

Lubbock

Andrews

Ysleta

Lackland

Vice president:

Maria Murillo, Snyder

Candace Beal,

Deborah Sutterfield,

Caroljean Byrnes,

Olga Garza, Odessa

Michael Slaight, Clint

Marcie Helmke,

Secretary:

Coleman County

Amarillo

Frenship

Secretary:

Judson

Melissa McCormick,

Secretary:

Isela Agundis, Odessa

Patti Garcia, Ysleta

Secretary:

Abilene

Mary Lloyd, Ballinger

Cynthia Smith,

Brenda Bryan,

Treasurer:

Diana Bush,

Treasurer:

Boys Ranch

Hale Center

Joni Reese, Andrews

Rudy Romero, Clint

Medina Valley

David Curry, Abilene

Luz Mendez, Junction

Treasurer:

Past president:

Treasurer:

Stephanie Parker,

Gail Carter, Lubbock

Bridget Loffler, Odessa

Margaret Hastings,

Hereford

Past president:

Membership chair:

Boerne

Susan Cooper,

Gayla Brown, Kermit

Past president:

Lubbock

Byron Hildebrand, San Antonio

fall 2013

atpe.org | 33

your association

atpe news

D.C.-bound to deliver ATPE members’ message By 2012-13 ATPE State President Deann Lee public often misinterprets a meeting with staff, as opposed to the elected official, as failure. In reality, it is an elected official’s staff that gathers data, writes legislation and meets with other players. No one in public office can know everything about all subjects, so their staff members have areas of expertise, and they need our input on those topics. We did, though, meet with numerous congressmen who particularly enjoy visiting with constituents. And no visit to Washington is complete without spending time with Congressman Ralph Hall. Political affiliation melts away as the pride in being an American causes one to stand tall as the congressman, a piece of living history, recounts story after story. His office is a museum of photos with Lyndon Baines Johnson, Sam Rayburn, J. Edgar Hoover and countless others. At 90, he is the oldest serving congressman in either house on the Hill. Is he ready to sit back and enjoy retirement? Not a chance. He says that as long as he can run his two miles a day and continue to contribute, why leave what he loves? Sounds like a good philosophy to me (minus the two miles a day). I have supported my profession in the political realm throughout my career, but as ATPE state president, I have had the privilege to crusade in the halls of the State Capitol, the U.S. Capitol, the Texas Education Agency, the State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of

2012-13 ATPE State President Deann Lee, retired ATPE Executive Director Doug Rogers and 2012-13 ATPE State Vice President Ginger Franks visit the U.S. Capitol. Education. Some might argue that my time is wasted, but results such as the state testing bills, the Teacher Retirement System bill, reinstatement of education funding in the state budget and relief from NCLB prove otherwise. It is not a lone voice, though, that achieves these accomplishments. It is the thousands of parents, grandparents and educators whose collective chorus I confirm with personal conversations. Whether it’s Austin or Washington, D.C., or through an email, letter or phone call, never doubt that your involvement in advocacy for any cause makes a difference. I’ve heard accounts from congressmen and senators, and your story just might be the one that reaches their heart. A version of this article was published in Lee’s hometown newspaper, The Paris News.

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

34 | atpe.org

atpe news

courtesy of Deann Lee

othing makes me more giddy than climbing a hill in a suit and heels—at least if it’s Capitol Hill. Like a kid at Christmas, my tweet before leaving for Washington, D.C., June 10 was “Visions of working on the Hill dancing in my head!” After 25 years in education, just as I am still moved when I see seniors graduate or listen to a child read his first words, I still get a skip in my step each time I am offered the opportunity to advocate for students. This time I was traveling to Washington, D.C., with 2012-13 ATPE State Vice President Ginger Franks, ATPE Executive Director Doug Rogers and ATPE Governmental Relations Director Brock Gregg. Our agenda included advocating ATPE members’ priorities for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), most recently known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Our trip began with observing the markup of the Senate Education Committee’s ESEA bill. I wanted to stand and applaud as senators recounted constituents’ plights and their resolve to change them. Some senators had actually visited or worked in schools. Imagine! In meetings with staff members of the majority and minority education committees, I had the opportunity to provide real-life applications as a federal programs director in Paris ISD as to what truly works and what is rose-colored theory. The

atpe news

your association

Expanding Minds

the 2012-13 Grant for Teaching Excellence

n 1986, the ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) created the ATPE Grant for Teaching Excellence (GTE) in honor of Christa McAuliffe, the teacher who died in the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger. At the 2013 ATPE Summit, the HOD voted to discontinue the grant program because most grant applications are for technology projects, and the ATPE Foundation’s Technology Grant program offers a more substantial grant to educators. But please join ATPE in congratulating the final GTE recipients, who received their $1,000 grants in November 2012 and were recognized for their accomplishments during the summit.

Finding a Nook for technology When second-grade teacher Jeanetta Byrd’s campus—Denton ISD’s Savannah Elementary—had the opportunity to borrow six Nooks (e-readers/tablets) for one month, Byrd and her colleagues noticed an uptick in student engagement. “Our classroom environment became a totally different atmosphere,” the elementarylevel GTE recipient wrote. “It went from about 90 percent of the students to all of the students being actively engaged. They all wanted to read—even the most reluctant readers.” That’s why Byrd’s GTE application asked for funds to buy four Nooks to permanently live on campus, as well as funds to purchase math apps. Twenty-four second-graders used the Nooks daily during literacy and math blocks. “The Nook supports essential 21st-century skills: complex communication, new media literacy, creativity, collaborative learning and self-directed learning,” Byrd wrote. “It is our mission to someday place a mobile device in every child’s hands.”

courtesy of jeanetta Byrd and stephanie moreno

Making time to rhyme Secondary recipient Stephanie Moreno, an English teacher at Houston ISD’s Waltrip High School, noticed that her students lacked exposure to forms of literature that didn’t directly tie to state tests. “In order to help form wellrounded people, we need to expose them to various facets of English that do not revolve around the narrow focus of STAAR scores,” Moreno wrote in her application. She also outlined a plan: Have students watch the documentary Louder than a Bomb, which is about a high school poetry slam; then have students write their own poetry to perform at a Waltrip poetry slam; and then publish students’ writing. “We hope to ignite the inner author in our students,” Moreno wrote. The poetry slam took place May 2, and the book of poetry was titled An Anthology of Anonymity and Fame. Houston’s KTRK-TV, an ABC affiliate, ran a story on Moreno’s project.

fall 2013

ATPE’s communications recognized ATPE’s 2012-13 marketing and member communications were recognized for “superior quality and innovation” June 10 at the Association Media & Publishing (AMP) EXCEL Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. Specifically, three efforts received awards: ▸ The 2012-13 ATPE Virtual Brochure received an honorable mention in the media innovation/ video category. ATPE Senior Graphic Designer John Kilpper, Senior Copy Editor/Writer Mandy Curtis and former Multimedia Designer Cam Todd collaborated on the project. ▸ An editorial titled “The Wolves Are Circling” from the Winter 2012 ATPE News was awarded a silver award in the magazine/editorial category. Communications Director Kate Johanns wrote the editorial. ▸ The cover illustration for “The Wolves Are Circling” received a gold award. Graphic Designer Erica Fos created the illustration. AMP received more than 900 entries for the 2013 EXCEL Awards. The awards have been presented for 33 years and recognize outstanding work in the field of association communications and publishing.

atpe.org | 35

your association

foundation news

Thank you for

Foundation interviews

Teachers of the Year

he ATPE Foundation welcomed 18 of Texas’ 40 Regional Teachers of the Year to the Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol June 17–19. During the gathering, the foundation conducted focus groups on educator recruitment and retention issues. The information will be shared with school districts, education organizations, state agencies and legislators. A report on the focus group findings is available at atpefoundation.org. The ATPE Foundation welcomes Texas Regional Teachers of the Year and foundation supporters to a reception June 18 at the Sheraton Austin at the Capitol. Left: Jenna Gasper, Aon Consulting, and 2013 Texas Teacher of the Year Jeremy Wagner, Frenship ISD. Top right: ATPE Deputy Executive Director Alan Bookman; Region 2 Teacher of the Year Libbie Payne, Corpus Christi ISD; and 2012-13 ATPE State President Deann Lee. Bottom right: 2012-13 ATPE Foundation Board President Rita Long and Region 13 Teacher of the Year Natalie Mahany, Dripping Springs ISD.

Apply for ATPE Foundation grants $2,500 technology

grants

$1,500 literacy

grants

The ATPE Foundation Technology Grant program provides $2,500 grants to eligible Texas public school educators for project-based classroom technology programs. Two grants will be awarded during the 2013-14 school year, and funds must be used to purchase technology resources for classroom use by May 2014. Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 1. Through the Beth Ann Rogers Literacy Initiative, the ATPE Foundation provides $1,500 grants to Texas public school libraries to purchase literacy materials and modernize literacy resources. Five grants will be awarded during the 2013-14 school year. Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 3, 2014. Visit atpefoundation.org to find grant criteria, guidelines and applications.

Thanks to the generosity of individuals, local units and regions, the ATPE Foundation raised $3,795 during Spring Forward, its annual donation month in May. All Spring Forward donations will help support the foundation’s literacy and technology grants and educator scholarships. Any month is a great time to help students and educators succeed by making a donation to the ATPE Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to the advancement of public education through literacy initiatives, technology programs, and educator recruitment and retention efforts. Since 2008, the foundation has given $47,500 in literacy and technology grants to Texas public schools and $90,000 in scholarships to current and future educators. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors. Visit atpefoundation.org to make a tax-deductible donation using your Visa or MasterCard. You may also print a donation form to mail in with your cash or check. If you donate online, you can also choose to make automatic monthly or quarterly donations. Donations of any size are appreciated and can be given in honor or in memory of family members, friends or colleagues.

The ATPE Foundation is registered in Texas as a nonprofit corporation and is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

36 | atpe.org

atpe news

teacher of teh year photos-kate johanns

helping us Spring Forward

foundation news

your association

Foundation awards scholarships to future educators The ATPE Foundation announced its 2012-13 scholarship recipients during the ATPE Summit. The Barbara Jordan Memorial Scholarship

The Fred Wiesner Educational Excellence Scholarship

is named for the late Texas congresswoman and educator and is awarded annually to up to six outstanding junior, senior and graduate students enrolled in educator preparation programs at predominantly ethnic-minority institutions. Recipients of $1,500 scholarships are:

is named for one of ATPE’s founding members. Four $1,500 scholarships are awarded to outstanding college students currently enrolled in educator preparation programs. The 2013 recipients are:

▸ Rebecca Blomquist, Sul Ross State University ▸ Bianca Espinoza, Texas A&M–Kingsville ▸ Kordney Govan, University of Houston–Downtown ▸ Hilda Hernandez, Texas A&M–Kingsville ▸ Carolina Lopez, University of Texas–Brownsville ▸ Kelly Wolf, University of Texas–Pan Am

▸ Faith Nicole Brewer, Dallas Baptist University ▸ Leah Doughty, McMurry University ▸ Jennifer Goedken, Lamar University ▸ Theresa Goodwin, Texas Woman’s University Applications for the 2013-14 Barbara Jordan Memorial and Fred Wiesner Educational Excellence Scholarships are due June 2, 2014. Find more information and applications at atpefoundation.org.

The ATPE Foundation

Golf Tournament

Tee up the formula for sucCess

Save the date—Friday, Oct. 18, 2013

45˚

start time: 1:30 p.m.

Why: To have fun and win great prizes while supporting literacy,

r2 r3 swing plane

See, you really do use geometry in real life.

technology, and educator recruitment and retention programs in Texas public schools

Where: Teravista Golf Club, Round Rock More info: atpefoundation.org

The ATPE Foundation is registered in Texas as a nonprofit corporation and is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

fall 2013

atpe.org | 37

your association

tenet focus

Exploring ATPE’s 10 tenets ATPE was founded in April 1980 with a distinct set of philosophies. In this ATPE News series, we’re taking an in-depth look at each of ATPE’s 10 tenets and explaining how they act as the building blocks of the association. This is the sixth article in the series.

Local control of public schools ATPE members support local public control of the local public school system through the elections of school board members and involvement of local community members. When the founders of ATPE gathered more than 33 years ago to draft the bylaws that guide the association to this day, one of the issues foremost in their minds was “local control.” Fresh off a frustrating battle with the then-dominant national and state teachers’ union, ATPE’s founders wanted to make it clear that ATPE would be founded on the concept that those closest to the classrooms in each of Texas’ 1,100-plus school districts—i.e., the local school board, educators and citizens—were in the best position to determine what was best for the district’s students. So emphatic were the founders that “local control” be a guiding tenet that they included a specific reference to the concept in the ATPE State Bylaws (Article I, Section 2: Purpose): “ … there should be continued local public control of the public school systems.” Sounds simple, right? If only! Of the 10 tenets that ATPE members have identified as the association’s guiding principles, “local control” might be the most subjectively defined. The difference in how you or I define “local control” might depend on what level we occupy on the decision-making ladder. At the state level, “local control” means fewer mandates and less interference from the federal government in state affairs; at the school board level, it means less intrusion from the state. For ATPE, “local control” means that democratically elected school boards, which have been charged with governing each school district, should be afforded as much control and autonomy as possible. ATPE recognizes that the local norms and educational priorities of Texans living in Amarillo might differ from those of the citizens of Houston or Waco. As such, the local school boards of those respective communities should have some degree of flexibility in which to fashion their local public education systems. Of course, local control is not an absolute. Because the state pays a portion of the costs of education and has a constitutional mandate to provide students a quality education, the state should be involved in macro-level decisions that have an impact on school districts. The state should tell school districts what results are expected and what resources will be provided and then—as much as possible—let local school district decision makers and employees work out the details.

10 ATPE tenets

Professionalism

Member-Owned/ Member-Governed

Right to Work/ Oppose Strikes

Superior Services to Members

All-Inclusive

Leadership

Collaborative

Issues-Oriented Advocacy

Operationally, ATPE’s belief in local control is reflected in the relationships between the state, region and local unit entities of ATPE. At the state level, general policies and parameters are established by the House of Delegates and board of directors, but ATPE strives to leave decisions about the implementation of policies to region and local unit leaders.

Independent Association

Local control will remain a concept that guides ATPE well into the future.

Local Control of Public Schools

—Alan Bookman, ATPE deputy executive director

38 | atpe.org

atpe news

your association

atpe-pac honor roll

The following ATPE members donated $50 or more to ATPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) between April 1 and June 7, 2013.

Thank you for your donation!

Alvin Ron Fitzwater

Eldorado Jennifer Engle

Medina Valley Bertha Benedetti

Plano Lindsay Beattie

Austin Heidi Langan

Ferris Meredith Malloy

Region 8 Ginger Winters

Birdville Bill Monty

Humble Gayle Sampley

Mesquite Jerry Bonham Carol Davies Debbie Massey

Boerne Margie Hastings Richard Wiggins

Keller David Williams

Burleson Cheryl McDonell Cleburne Tena Alexander Corpus Christi Barbara Ruiz Crowley Elaine Basham Jeannie Evans Steve Pokluda Dallas Julie Fore Del Valle Mary Hopkins Cris Rocha

Killeen Eileen Walcik Melissa Walcik Ron Walcik

North Lamar Jerry Jarrell North Starr Trini Garza Odessa Christy Fox

La Vernia Clay Bordner

Olney Sam Spurlock

Leander Jayne Serna

Palmer Gina Godding

Lewisville Greg Alexander Tim Fogarty Karen Hames

Paris Abby Rogers

Lytle Irene Robbins McAllen Ma Elena Ingram Daisy Palomo

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Mike Sweet Pineywoods Ginger Franks Randi McQueen

Region 10 David Wylie State office Amy White Tyler Betty Berndt Adrienne Ford Warren Bill Moye Weslaco Aggie Aguirre Roger Gutierrez Jeannie Silva West Kay Whitley Willis Donna Ward Woden Carl Franks Malinda Holzapfel

ATPE-PAC donors from the 2013 ATPE Summit will be recognized in the Winter 2013 ATPE News.

fall 2013

atpe.org | 39

your association

kudos

Bravo, ATPE members

Congratulations to all ATPE members who go the extra mile to achieve great heights in their field. ALAMO HEIGHTS Charlotte Dolat, a fifth-grade teacher at Woodridge Elementary School, received the H-E-B Excellence in Education award in the leadership category in May. As part of the award, Dolat and her school each received $10,000 checks.

COPPELL Kim Wootton, a forensic science teacher at New Tech High@Coppell, was named a finalist for the 2013 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). She was one of four Texas finalists in the secondary science category. PAEMST winners will be announced in the summer of 2014.

DENTON Twenty-two Denton ATPE members were recently named Teachers of the Year: • Gabriela Armijo, third-grade bilingual teacher at Evers Park Elementary School. • Amy Atchley, fourth-grade teacher at Borman Elementary School. • Lauren Atkinson, kindergarten teacher at Stephens Elementary School. • Patricia Boosa, Houston Elementary School educator. • Michelle Brown, Pecan Creek Elementary School educator. • Barbara Gatlin, inclusion specialist at Newton Rayzor Elementary School. • Kim Hope, Strickland Middle School educator. • Kennye Jarrett, Ryan Elementary School educator. • Cary-Anne Koenig, Cross Oaks Elementary School educator. • Jill Koenning, fifth-grade teacher at Providence Elementary School. • Elizabeth Lopez, McNair Elementary School educator. • Kimberly Mills, first-grade teacher at

40 | atpe.org

Paloma Creek Elementary School. • Alexa Olstowski, fourth-grade teacher at Lee Elementary School. • Holly Ray, sixth-grade social studies teacher at Crownover Middle School. • Virginia Rojas, second-grade teacher at Hodge Elementary School. • Eunice Ruiz, first-grade teacher at Hawk Elementary School. • Vicki Storrie, Calhoun Middle School educator. • Meg Taylor, second-grade teacher at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. • Yazmin Vazquez, Windle School for Young Children educator. • Isabel Villarreal, second-grade teacher at Rivera Elementary School. • Ashley Weibling, librarian at Savannah Elementary School. • Robert West, Denton High School educator.

GARLAND Jim Manley, a seventh-grade science teacher at Coyle Middle School, was one of eight Texas educators selected as a finalist for the 2013 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). National award winners will be announced during the summer of 2014.

HOUSTON Mary Velasquez, an eighth-grade Spanish teacher at Burbank Middle School, won the 2013 H-E-B Excellence in Education award in the lifetime achievement category. She received $25,000 and a $25,000 grant for her school.

HUMBLE Debra McIntyre, a PACE English teacher at Community Learning Center, published her first book, The Dance: Livingstone: The

Beginning, in April. Two Humble ATPE members were recognized at the Humble ISD Education Foundation Gala in April: • Joanna Grigsby, a fifth-grade teacher at Elm Grove Elementary School, was recognized as both District and Elementary Teacher of the Year. • Samuel Pollard, a history teacher at Summer Creek High School, was honored as Humble ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. At the gala, Grigsby received a new Ford car, and Pollard was surprised with a trip to Hawaii.

LEWISVILLE Becky Hanna, an academic life skills teacher at Prairie Trail Elementary School, received the Award of Excellence for 2013 and a check for $500 from the Cain Sczepanski Foundation in Special Education. The Cain Foundation was established in memory of Cain Sczepanski, a student with Down syndrome who spent 18 years in LISD.

LOCKHART Rick Tuten, an environmental systems teacher at Lockhart High School, received the school’s Jesse N. “Red” Burditt Outstanding Teacher award for the 2012-13 school year. Tuten was awarded $1,000.

MESQUITE Whitney Rozell, a fourth-grade teacher at Porter Elementary School, was awarded $1,000 and $1,000 for her school through The UPS Store’s Teacher Recognition Program. The Dallas Mavericks and The UPS Store established the program to recognize North Texas educators for their work in the classroom. Molly Purl, an eighth-grade American

atpe news

kudos

history teacher at Agnew Middle School, was recognized for excellence in teaching through the Mesquite ISD Apple Corps program. Each month during the school year, the program inducts two peer-nominated honorees.

NACOGDOCHES Aaron Grimes, an educator at Nacogdoches High School, received an honorable mention for his graduate literary analysis, “The Linguistic Representation of Displaced Power in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” at Stephen F. Austin State University’s 2013 Literary Awards.

WHITE OAK Pam Cranford, a testing coordinator, 504 coordinator and Response to Intervention case manager for White Oak Intermediate School, was recognized as TCEA’s Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year for 2012-13.

your association

In Memoriam

TPE is saddened to announce the passing of 2012-13 Region 5 ATPE President Jackie Arthur June 26, 2013. Jackie also served as president of Lumberton ATPE. A teacher at Lumberton Middle School, Jackie had worked with middle school students for the past 18 years. Her accomplishments included being named middle school teacher of the year and secondary teacher of the year. Longtime Region 5 ATPE leader Sue Allen has many fond memories of attending ATPE events with Jackie. “Jackie always made sure we had plenty of promo items for our region meetings,” she says. “Everyone went home with something. She was super-organized, and we never failed to be completely prepared at meeting time. She was always smiling and having a good time. She loved our trips to Austin and always had time for some shopping while we were there. We knew Jackie would go shopping as soon as we got a break. “Jackie’s family told me over and over how much ATPE meant to her and how honored she felt to have been recognized over the years for her dedication. She will be missed by all who knew her.” ATPE extends its sympathies to Jackie’s family and to all who knew and loved her.

Be recognized for your efforts! If you know an ATPE member who deserves recognition (it could even be you!), let us know. Kudos covers awards, scholarships and other education-related achievements only; promotions, retirements and non-education-related personal achievements will not be included. Email Kudos to ATPE Communications at comm@atpe.org or send them to: ATPE News | 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300 | Austin, TX 78752-3792

fall 2013

atpe.org | 41

your association

family album

Mansfield

42 | atpe.org

PHOTO by KATE JOHANNS

photo courtesy of Gayle Sampley

PHOTO by lacey denton

At its end-of-year meeting, Mansfield ATPE awarded $500 scholarships to two Mansfield High School students as well as Mansfield ATPE members Kathryn Hardy and Lindsey Crumby. Pictured are Hardy (center), Mansfield ATPE Secretary Jennifer Bowland and President Donna Sibila.

Humble

Region 14

To honor Humble ISD school board trustee Bonnie Longnion’s 25 years of service on the board, Humble ATPE placed a copy of Flotsam, Longnion’s favorite children’s book, in all 27 Humble ISD elementary schools. Longion (center) stands with Humble ATPE President Stacey Ward and Legislative Chair Gayle Sampley after their presentation of the gift.

Region 14 ATPE President Chana Appleton and Secretary Melissa McCormick award door prizes at the region’s spring meeting in April at Towne Crier Steakhouse in Abilene. During the meeting, region leaders elected their 2013-14 officers and participated in the state office-provided “Back to Basics” member recruitment training.

atpe news

highlights

photo by Robin Hurt

KERMIT ATPE celebrated Texas Public Schools Week by presenting a tray of cookies and a note of appreciation to each Kermit campus as well as the administration building, special education building and transportation/maintenance building. Kermit ATPE President Gayla Brown and Treasurer Elizabeth Kirk organized the initiative.

Irving Police Officer Gary Brockett (center) stands with Irving ATPE campus reps Donna Plunkett and Jo Carol Adamson after receiving a Crystal Apple Award at the Irving ATPE Recognition Banquet. The award, given to Irving ISD volunteers, honors Brockett for his civic service to students at Stipes and Townley Elementary schools.

MIDLOTHIAN ATPE awarded two local unit members, Donnelle Cuellar and Windy Fulmer, $500 scholarships to go toward their master’s programs. BEAUMONT ATPE President Suellen Ener recently traveled to West to provide West ISD with a monetary donation and three boxes of school supplies collected by her local unit. MCALLEN ATPE organized an ATPE booth at McAllen ISD’s teacher job fair in April to talk with prospective employees about the value of belonging to a professional association.

photo by Doug Eckart

submissions

Region 10 An Elvis impersonator makes an appearance at the awards dinner held during Region 10 ATPE’s convention. At the two-day event held in June on Lake Ray Hubbard, members also conducted region business, attended professional development courses and enjoyed a concert by the lake.

fall 2013

Send your local unit and region stories and high-resolution photos to comm@atpe.org for possible publication. The more detail you include with your submission, the better!

atpe.org | 43

Continued from page 13—Legal Opinions for it, but only if you have agreed in writing to assume responsibility and if the loss or damage occurs off-campus and not at a school-sponsored event. The district’s acceptable use policy will also likely govern home use of district equipment—so again, know the policy. Again, as well, many devices, such as iPads, might automatically seek to access information from your home network, and this can lead to potential employment consequences if inappropriate material is transferred. For example, if the district-issued iPad you bring home syncs up to your home devices, it could pull all of the texts, emails, pictures, bookmarked websites and possibly browser history from your home computer or smartphone without your even knowing. This could lead to a lack of privacy, embarrassment and potentially even negative employment action once you return the device to the district.

If you aren’t sure, ask for help Modern technology has revolutionized how we live: You can easily share pictures with friends and family; entertainment is available on demand; and workplace communication is faster than ever. But the proliferation of technology means it is more essential than ever to know your district’s acceptable use policy. If you don’t have a copy of the policy, ask a co-worker or supervisor. Similarly, if you bring your smartphone to work or use a district-issued device at home, make sure your settings are appropriate to limit unintended syncing. If—like many of us—you aren’t a tech expert, ask a friend, co-worker or district technology employee to help you.A The legal information provided in ATPE News is for general purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for individual legal advice or the provision of legal services. Accessing this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Individual legal situations vary greatly, and readers should consult directly with an attorney. ATPE members should call (800) 777-2873 or access the Member Legal Services Intake System (MLSIS) at www.atpe.org/protection.

Continued from page 14—Capitol Comment professionalism. Members of the ATPE advocacy team care about advocating for public education as much as you care about your students—and that passion is evident to decision makers.

5. You can count on cooperation ATPE’s brand of advocacy reflects our founders’ philosophies. We seek to work with parents, businesses, school districts and communities—friends and detractors alike—to resolve real issues by putting the needs of students first. We do not seek to create enemies, nor do we use fear-based conflicts or manufactured crises for the purpose of increasing our membership.

44 | atpe.org

Our philosophy is clear and practical, and it works. For example, we outlined five major priorities for our members who attended the 2013 ATPE Political Involvement Training and Lobby Day in February, and the education community made positive progress on all five: We restored some funding, defeated vouchers, reduced testing at the secondary level, prevented the use of standardized test scores in teacher appraisals, and secured the Teacher Retirement System while also giving retired educators a cost-of-living increase. (Download the 2013 ATPE Summit presentation at www.teachthevote.org/resources for more information.) Every member of the ATPE advocacy team—members and staff members—had a hand in these accomplishments. Let’s work together to keep it going. The ATPE advocacy team wants YOU.A

Continued from page 19—Onward and Upward sure that the organization is running efficiently and effectively so that we can stretch the resources entrusted to us just as far as humanly possible and get the biggest return. There may be some minor differences that go along with this type of organization, but I’m going to learn them. I don’t think there are that many. I know there’s no difference in the way we account for resources and the expectations people have for living the mission of the organization. Johanns: How do you think we can learn more about the changing wants and needs of Texas educators? Godsey: Staying in regular communication is very important—year-round, not episodic. Also, being in a proactive listening mode will be important. In other words, once our members give us information, we should do something with it. Actionable items that lead to measurable results, benefiting our members, will hopefully be a consistent theme you will see at ATPE in the future. I like talking to people face to face. I don’t think it has to be complicated. What are the things members value most and how can we, as an association, take what we’ve learned and really rally around doing what I like to call “what matters most.” Because we can’t boil the ocean, and we can’t be everything to everyone, but we can stand for a certain set of things that our members are telling us that they really need and value. Johanns: You’ve been in the office for a little more than a week. What are some of your first impressions? Godsey: I have seen a very dedicated, hard-working team, with an expansive breadth of knowledge. There’s an absolute commitment to serving the members. There’s a clarity in purpose, that is mission-critical: “To provide superior service to our members.” That’s what we’re here for.A

atpe news

2013-14 ATPe Membership Application 3 Ways You Can Join ATPe:

1 Mail this completed application to the ATPE state office. 2 Give this completed application to your ATPE campus rep. 3 Join at atpe.org (and pay by credit card).

1 Provide your contact information.

2 Select your membership category.

This information helps us maintain your unique member record, a tool that allows us to provide member services more efficiently.

Last 4 digits of your Soc. Sec. #: XXX-XX-__ __ __ __

Female

Male

Yes, I have been an ATPE member in the past. Member ID# _______________ (Optional—If you don’t know it, no problem.) Name ________________________ _______________________ _________ Last

First

Middle initial

ISD ___________________________ Campus __________________________ Home address ____________________________________________________

Refer to the chart on the back of this application to find your appropriate category.

Insured categories*

*See back.

Professional

$145.00

$ ______

First-time Professional

$80.00

$ ______

$70.00

$ ______

I have never been a Professional member.

Associate Paraprofessional and classified positions

City/State ____________________________________ ZIP _______________

Teacher Trainee

Home ( ____ ) _____________________ Cell ( ____ ) ____________________

Uninsured categories

School email ____________________________________________________ Home email _____________________________________________________ Submit your email addresses to receive the latest news on member benefits.

Yes, send me information about volunteering for ATPE!

(MM)

Free

Student teacher in Texas

Retired

$10.00

$ ______

Retired former school employee

Free

College Student Non-teaching college student

$10.00

Public

$ ______

Friend of public education

3 Invest in public education. Local unit dues

$ ______

Support ATPE in your school district.

ATPE Political Action Committee

$ ______

Support Texas candidates and officeholders who prioritize public education. Suggested donation: $12.

4 Select a payment method. Check enclosed. Payroll deduction Complete the authorization below. Arrangements for payroll deduction are the responsibility of the applicant.

TOTAL

$ ______

Payroll Deduction Authorization Payroll authorizations for 2013-14 will not be accepted after Jan. 31, 2014. I, ______________________________________________ , authorize the _____________________ ISD to deduct the total amount of $ _______________ over ______ payments in order to pay for ATPE state dues, local dues and political action donations. I further authorize the Association to notify the ISD of changes in the annual dues amounts and the ISD to deduct the new amounts. If my employment with the district ends, I authorize any unpaid balance to be deducted from my final check. This authorization for the deductions referenced above will be effective until I give notice to the ISD that I want to revoke it.

____________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________ Applicant’s signature

Applicant’s Social Security number or employee ID number

________ I wish to cancel deduction of membership dues for: Initial Here

Texas AFT

TCTA

Date of signature

TSTA

UEA

Other 2013-14 AP8

Questions You Might Have About ATPE Membership

1 Are ATPE membership dues tax-deductible?

4 When is my ATPE membership effective?

ATPE membership dues are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes but may be deductible as miscellaneous itemized deductions, subject to IRS restrictions. It is estimated that 4.6 percent of your dues dollar is used for lobbying activities and is therefore not deductible.

For paper applications, your membership date is established when your application is received in the state office, or when your application is received, signed and dated by a designated local unit representative. For online applications, your membership date is established at 12:01 a.m. Cst on the date following successful transmission of your online application and payment at atpe.org.

2 How does ATPE spend my membership dues? • $3.32 pays for a subscription to ATPE News (published four times per year) and includes all state and local sales taxes. • Up to $26 of Professional and Associate member dues and up to $6 of Teacher Trainee member dues pays for the Educators Professional Liability Insurance Policy.*

3 What does the Liability and Employment Rights

Defense Insurance* for the 2013-14 membership year cover?

Coverage applies to your activities as a Professional or Associate member in the course of your duties of employment with an educational institution, or to your activities as a Teacher Trainee member in the course of your duties as a student in a teacher education program in an accredited college or university. Coverage is underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. ALL CoverAge Is sUbjeCt to the exPress terms oF the mAster INsUrANCe PolICy IssUed to AtPe ANd KePt oN FIle At the stAte oFFICe. view a detailed summary at atpe.org. The policy applies only to activities that begin during the period when coverage is effective and does not apply to activities that predate the coverage period. *

5 When is coverage effective? *

Coverage begins on the later of 8/1/13 or your membership date and expires on 8/1/14 except for the following: CoverAge Is eFFeCtIve oN 8/1/13 IF yoU reNeW membershIP ANytIme dUrINg AUgUst or sePtember 2013, ANd emPloymeNt rIghts deFeNse INsUrANCe Is Not eFFeCtIve UNtIl 30 dAys AFter yoUr membershIP dAte IF yoU joIN AFter 9/30/13 ANd Were elIgIble For membershIP From AUgUst 2013 throUgh sePtember 2013. Eligibility for membership benefits is contingent upon receipt of the entire membership dues amount for your appropriate membership category. A disruption in payments to an authorized payment plan may result in discontinuation of such benefits, including cancellation of insurance coverage for the entire membership year, retroactive to Aug. 1 or your membership date. For further information, call (800) 777-2873. *

6 What does ATPE-PAC do? The ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) accepts voluntary donations from members to advocate for ATPE’s legislative priorities. AtPe-PAC does not endorse political candidates. donations to AtPePAC are not a condition of employment or membership. A member may donate more or less than the suggested amount or may choose not to make a donation without it affecting his or her membership status, rights or benefits with AtPe. donations are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

ATPE Membership Categories You must join in the appropriate insured category in order to qualify for coverage. ATPE reserves the right to determine eligibility for the appropriate membership category. Commissioned peace officers are eligible for public membership only. Professional and Associate membership is open to persons employed in Texas by a public school district, institution of higher education, regional education service Center, state board for educator Certification or the texas education Agency. If you have a question about the eligibility of job descriptions not listed below, call (800) 777-2873.

Insured Categories*

Uninsured Categories

Professional MeMber ($145)/first-tiMe Professional MeMber ($80)

associate MeMber ($70)

college student MeMber (free)

• Administrator/ Supervisor

• department head/ Chair

• Regional Service Center Staff

• Aide to position in Professional category

• Educational Aide/ Technician

• Athletic director/ Coordinator

• diagnostician

• Alternative Center Aide

• maintenance Worker

retired MeMber ($10)

• Instructional Officer

• School Psychologist/ Associate

• bus driver

• Nurse (LVN)

• Retired former school employee

• Athletic Trainer

• Intern Teacher

• social Worker

• Cafeteria Worker

• At-Risk Coordinator

• Superintendent/Asst. Supt.

• Clerk–General

• Regional Service Center Aide

• Audiologist

• It director/ Coordinator

• band/Choral director

• Librarian

• Teacher

• Computer Programmer/Entry

• Coach

• Nurse (RN)

• Custodial Worker

• Security Guard (Unarmed)

• Counselor

• deaf Interpreter

• Substitute Teacher

• Curriculum director

• Parent/Community Coordinator

• Therapist/ Pathologist

• dean of Instruction

• Principal/Asst. Prin.

• University Professor • Visiting Teacher

• Secretary

teacher trainee MeMber (free) • Student teacher in Texas

• Non-teaching college student

Public MeMber ($10) • Friend of public education

by Mandy Curtis, senior copy editor/writer

snip-its

It’s official: People tweet, too

The English language is an ever-evolving entity, with new words and phrases popping up on a regular basis. Each year, some of these new words are added to the Oxford English Dictionary’s more than 823,000 entries; in June, 1,200 entries were added or revised. The definitions of terms such as follow, follower and tweet were updated to reflect their social media (i.e., Twitter) uses. Other technological terms added were crowdsourcing, which refers to the practice of garnering funding for a project online; mouseover, which refers to the action of moving a computer’s mouse or cursor over something on screen; and e-reader, which encompasses a variety of hand-held devices that store electronic versions of books. Non-technical terms in the update included fiscal cliff, which refers to the U.S. financial crisis of early 2013; flash mob, a group of people that gets together to perform in a public place; and fascinator, in the sense of a piece of women’s headwear. (The entire list can be read at http://bit.ly/ 2013OEDupdate.)

“There is no man living who isn’t capable of doing more than he thinks he can do.” —Henry Ford, American industrialist (1863–1947)

Skype and learn Skype in the Classroom, the education component of the online video-conferencing service, offers a variety of free tips and tools that educators can use with their students, including “guest speakers” who are available to make presentations to students on a variety of subjects. Guest speakers include authors, poets, entrepreneurs, Olympic athletes, scientists, historians and more. Check out the list of available topics and speakers at http://bit.ly/skypespeakers.

fall 2013

One super-awesome 11-year-old scientist Sylvia Todd has an online science-oriented DIY video series, has won medals at international robotics competitions and has even demonstrated a robot of her own invention to President Barack Obama—and she’s only 11 years old. (Her robot was featured at the 2013 White House Science Fair.) Sylvia has long been interested in “tinkering,” according to a New York Times article on the young scientist: “Ever since I was really young, I liked destroying stuff,” Sylvia said. “I’ve always been interested in making and doing things hands-on.” (Read the entire article at http://bit.ly/sylviatodd.) In her videos, Sylvia has covered topics such as etching copper, screenprinting, paper rocketry and more. All episodes of Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show can be found at www.sylviashow.com/episodes.

atpe.org | 47

ATPE works for you “ATPE is everything I’m looking for in an organization—positive, thorough and proactive.” —Stephanie Hudson

12-year ATPE member Fifth-grade math and science teacher Arlington ISD

Year after year, more Texas educators turn to ATPE than to any other educator association. Why? Because we provide: ▸U nmatched protection ▸E ffective advocacy ▸ Va luable resources ▸E xclusive services and discounts The 2012-13 membership year ended July 31. Remember: Members who renew by Sept. 30 enjoy continuous access to benefits.* Renew by credit card at atpe.org or using the application you received in the mail. If you pay dues via payroll deduction and your membership rolls over from year to year, please confirm that dues are being deducted.

*Terms and conditions apply. For more information, refer to the membership application on page 45, or visit atpe.org.