Summer 2022 ATPE News

TA EP News

Teaching the Next Generation of Cyberprofessionals

PRINT OR DIGITAL ATPE NEWS? Learn how to make your choice

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SUMER 20

| TA G ORPE.

A look inside North East ISD’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Innovation, designed to place students in a growing local tech industry PAGE 16

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WHO’S TALKING TO THE TEACHERS?

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RANSOMWARE ON THE RISE

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2022 ATPE SUMMIT

SAVE ON:

HOTELS

CAR RENTAL

CRUISES

VACATIONS

THEME PARKS

A SUMMER OF SAVINGS

Summertime is almost here, and what better time to get away for some well-deserved time in the sun? Whether you want to relax on the beach or embark on a road trip to remember, your ATPE member benefits can help you enjoy the summer vacation you have been dreaming about for more than two years. Save on hotels, car rental, cruises, vacation packages, and even admission to your favorite theme park.

START SAVING AT ATPE.ORG/DISCOUNTS

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

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

State Officers

Karen Hames. . . . . . . . . . . President, Lewisville (11) Stacey Ward. . . . . . . . . Vice President, Humble (4) Jayne Serna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary, Leander (13) Jason Forbis . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer, Midway (12) Jimmy Lee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Past President, Paris (8)

Board of Directors

MaElena Ingram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McAllen (1) Barbara Ruiz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Corpus Christi (2) Mandy Vahrenkamp. . . . . . . . . Calhoun County (3) Eli Rodriguez . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cypress-Fairbanks (4) Suellen Ener. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beaumont (5) Gidget Belinoski-Bailey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willis (6) Teresa Millard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Woden (7) Shelia Slider. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North Lamar (8) Patti Gibbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nocona (9) Wanda Bailey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mesquite (10) Teri Naya. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birdville (11) Ron Walcik. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Killeen (12) Stephanie Stoebe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Round Rock (13) Leslie Ward. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Merkel (14) Betty Gail Wood-Rush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Early (15) Shane Whitten. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amarillo (16) Allyson Haveman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lubbock (17) Gail Adlesperger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Big Spring (18) Robert Zamora. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clint (19) Laura Herrera. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North East (20)

ATPE News Staff

David George. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor John Kilpper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Art Director Michael Spurlin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Editor Jack Densmore. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Editor Jennifer Tuten. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Digital Editor Marjorie Parker. . . . . . . . . . . Contributing Designer Kate Johanns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editorial Director ATPE News (ISSN 0279-6260) is published quarterly in fall, winter, spring, and summer.

Subscription rates: for members of the association, $3.32 per year (included in membership dues); non-members, $10 per year. Extra copies $1.25 each. Published by the Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E. Huntland Drive, Suite 300, Austin, TX 787523792. 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 2022 in USA by the Association of Texas Professional Educators

I

t has been a long haul, and I know you are exhausted.

The past couple of years have been tough on educators around the state with everything going on in and out of the classroom. However, Texas educators have stepped up to the challenge in some remarkable ways. Thank you for your dedication to your students and for the daily effort it takes to make a difference in their lives. At ATPE, we stand in awe of you on a regular basis. We also hope this summer you find the time to rest, rejuvenate, and recharge your batteries for another year where your leadership skills and commitment to student success will be so desperately needed.

THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN TOUGH ON EDUCATORS AROUND THE STATE WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. HOWEVER, TEXAS EDUCATORS HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE CHALLENGE IN SOME REMARKABLE WAYS. One way to stoke the flames of enthusiasm for your professional calling is to attend the ATPE Summit this July 6–8 in Grapevine. The summit is a great way to meet other educators from across the state, attend outstanding professional development sessions, and have fun at the Gaylord Texan Resort! After having two consecutive summits virtually, we are excited to get back together in person this year. It is going to be a great time, and I hope to see you there.

In this issue, we examine district cyberattacks from across the state, give you tips to avoid cyberscams, and highlight a cybersecurity program in North East ISD that is paving the way for Texas students to fill critical cybersecurity vacancies across the state. With the number of attacks and their complexity growing every year, educators’ and students’ sensitive data must be protected, and it all starts with robust cybersecurity training and education in our schools.

Shannon Holmes, Ed.D. ATPE Executive Director

ISSN ©ATPE 2022 0279-6260 USPS 578-050 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300 Austin, TX 78752-3792 (800) 777-ATPE (2873) atpe.org | atpe@atpe.org

ATPE NEWS 3

Contents ATPE NEWS | Summer 2022, Volume 42, Number 4

FEATURES

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Ransomware on the Rise What is causing a new wave of ransomware attacks on schools, and what can be done about it? Learn how and why school districts are targeted and what you can do to protect personal information—your own and that of your students—from cyberthreats.

4 ATPE NEWS

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On the Cover

Teaching the Next Generation of Cyberprofessionals Check out North East ISD’s big investment in a cybersecurity curriculum: an impressive new facility that is both addressing the needs of a growing local tech industry and training students to fill jobs within it.

SPECIAL SECTIONS 10 ATPE News Transition

Want to continue receiving a print copy of our awardwinning ATPE News magazine? We show you how easy it is to “opt in” to print.

EVERYTHING ELSE 6 Calendar 8 Regional Roundup 11 Your Ally

Public records on your personal device? Your rights and obligations by law

12 Your Voice

With all the talk about public ed, who’s talking to the teachers?

13 PAC Honor Roll 28 Your ATPE

ATPE Wellbeing Program l Hotel Planner discount l Call for retired volunteers l Which membership category should you join?

BACK IN PERSON & FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

Cover and Cyberprofessionals photos by John Kilpper; ©iStockphoto.com/zefart

20 2022 ATPE Summit: Back in Person and Focused on the Future

After two virtual ATPE Summits, we are more than ready to leave our computer screens behind and gather in Grapevine for the biggest reunion ATPE members have ever seen. Check out the agenda, meet the candidates for 2022-23 state office, and find out how to attend.

26 In Your Neighborhood

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

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

35 Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Sherry Boyd, a fourth grade reading teacher in Spearman ISD and Region 16 ATPE president.

“Knowing that there is someone standing up for us, that’s the big attraction [to ATPE].”

— Sherry Boyd, fourth grade reading teacher and president of Region 16 and Spearman ATPE

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

ATPE NEWS 5

CALENDAR

August 1

2022–23 ATPE membership year and professional liability insurance policy begin**

5–7

BACK IN PERSON & FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

Back to School Sales Tax Holiday

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center July 6–8, 2022 | atpesummit.org

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June

July

ATPE Summit delegate certification and registration deadline

State office closed for Independence Day

14–17

4

State Board of Education Meeting

6–8

19

14

Juneteenth

2022 ATPE Summit: Back in Person and Focused on the Future TRS Board of Trustees Meeting

22

State Board for Educator Certification Meeting

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Last day for I SUP ATPE Political TEXAS PORT P EDUCA UBLIC TION Action Committee donors to earn recognition as a 2021–22 ATPE-PAC honoree* June 19, 1900, Emancipation Day celebration in Austin

12th Annual

PAC’s Peak Challenge Feb. 1–May 31

Give today at atpepac.givesmart.com

* ATPE-PAC solicits donations from ATPE members, staff, and their families only.

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

6 ATPE NEWS

©iStockphoto.com/Natalie_

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State Board of Education Meeting

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REGIONAL ROUNDUP

Kansas

T

here are more than a thousand school districts in Texas and each one has success stories. Regional Roundup highlights some of the achievements happening in our public schools.

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

Oklahoma

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6 WINTERS

4

HALLSVILLE

LA VEGA

3

BRYAN

2

1

KLEIN CYPRESSFAIRBANKS

8 ATPE NEWS

HEADLI N ES

From Across the State exas’ First Space Force JROTC 1 TProgram Launches

In January, Klein High School held a conversion ceremony to turn its Air Force JROTC into the first Space Force JROTC in Texas. The new unit is one of just 10 in the United States. Units chosen for the Space Force JROTC conversion need to be in good standing, close to space facilities, and top performers. The ceremony was attended by students, parents, community members, and military guests, including the deputy commander of the U.S. Space Command.

Arkansas

kleinisd.net

our-Legged Librarian 2 FComforts Students

La Vega ISD’s Bookworm Vending Machine dispenses brain-smart, no-calorie choices to eager preschool and kindergarten students for the price of a few good deeds. Children at La Vega Primary School’s Phil Bancale Campus “purchase” a book from the machine’s 144 selections with a token earned for two BUG (Being Unusually Good) awards. The district’s Pirate Education Foundation donated the machine to the school in memory of Lillian Bancale, wife of 43-year La Vega ISD school board member Phillip Bancale. lavegaisd.org

Organize Color Run 5 Stotudents Help Classmate

One of the newest staff members at Copeland Elementary School in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is a 1-year-old English cream retriever named Trixie.

She is the district’s second comfort dog and will help create safer social environments for students on campus. Trixie was screened for her enjoyment of people, strangers, and school activities during her eight months of training. Copeland’s librarian has been trained to serve as Trixie’s official handler.

Louisiana Photos courtesy of Klein ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Bryan ISD, La Vega ISD, Hallsville ISD, & Winters ISD.

4 Vending Machine for Bookworms

cfisd.net

ward-Winning Author Makes 3 ASurprise Visit

Award-winning author Kwame Alexander made a trip all the way from London to surprise students at Bryan High School. English teacher Abby Scoresby sent Alexander a letter explaining how his books had impacted her students. Alexander said he could feel her passion for literature in the letter and wanted to personally thank Scoresby and her students for their support. Alexander is a New York Timesbestselling author of 35 books and has received both the Newbery and Caldecott medals. bryanisd.org

Fifth grade students at Hallsville Intermediate School raised more than $10,000 to aid a fellow student who is battling a health issue. Their teacher Alaina Hamilton encouraged them to find ways to raise money for the community, and the students decided they wanted to help Ellie Kate Williams, who was born with the rare neurological disorder Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC). The students created the Color Our Community with Kindness Color Run, which more than 250 family and community members attended. hisd.org

usiness Lunches Let Students 6 BPractice Real-life Skills

For the past four years, Cypress Street Station in Abilene has opened its doors to Winters ISD students to allow them to practice the professional skills they have learned. Most recently, 43 students were matched with 38 business professionals from their fields of interest at the restaurant for dinner. This gave students the opportunity to engage in conversations about goals and career options in a real-world setting. wintersisd.org

ATPE NEWS 9

A NEW ERA FOR

ATPE News LEARN HOW YOU CAN CONTINUE RECEIVING A PRINT COPY OF THE MAGAZINE

F

or more than 40 years, educators have looked to our award-winning ATPE News magazine for critical information and fascinating feature stories highlighting the successes and challenges of educators across Texas. But today’s ATPE News is published in a far different world and for a far different audience than the ATPE News of 1980. Starting with the Fall 2022 issue, the default delivery method for the magazine will be digital. Our goal is to expand our digital presence while continuing to offer the high-quality content you have come to expect. For many of you, the benefits of this medium are already clear: clickable links, convenience, access to back-issue content, etc. And the list of benefits will continue to grow as we work tirelessly to enhance your digital experience.

However, we know many of you love reading a print magazine—and even pass it on to a friend after you’re finished reading the issue. To keep receiving the print edition, you will need to log in to your ATPE member profile, find the heading “Phone, Text, and Mail Preferences,” and check “Send me a print copy of the magazine.” Please note: The print option is only available to members in the Administrator, Associate, First-time Professional, Professional, Public, and Retired member categories. College student and student teacher members will receive the digital edition as part of their complimentary membership.

TO KEEP RECEIVING THE PRINT EDITION:

1 Log in to your ATPE member profile.

2 Check “Send me a print copy of the magazine.”

LOG IN TO MEMBER.ATPE.ORG/PROFILE TO OPT IN TO CONTINUING TO RECEIVE A PRINT COPY OF ATPE NEWS. 10 ATPE NEWS

YOUR ALLY

Public Records on Your Personal Device?

Your Rights and Obligations by Law

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BY PAUL TAPP ATPE Managing Attorney

ost educators have a mobile device, such on an ongoing basis. You need to be aware you are as a smartphone or tablet, and they often legally considered a “temporary custodian” of any use their device for work-related tasks, public records you may possess and have duties to including communicating with co-workers, super- maintain those records. visors, or parents about work issues. While your disThis set of responsibilities, set forth in §552.004 trict may allow or even expect you to use your own of the Texas Government Code, requires public device in the course of performing your duties, you employees possessing public information on a prineed to know about the law that makes government vate device to: employees—including school employees—respon• Preserve that information in its original form in sible for maintaining these work-related communia backup and on the privately owned device; or cations, even when using a personal device. There • Forward or transfer the public information to are potential penalties for noncompliance because the district to be preserved on their server. a school employee’s work-related communications The law requires that a person retain (i.e., not deare commonly considered a “public record.” lete) the information, even after they leave a district, School districts and their unless they forward it to employees have always the district’s public inforWHILE YOUR PHONE IS YOUR been subject to the Texas mation officer. When the PERSONAL PROPERTY, YOU HAVE information is requestPublic Information Act. The Public Information ed of you, you have 10 NO RIGHT TO KEEP PRIVATE Act, the common name days to forward it, or you ANY PUBLIC INFORMATION for Chapter 552 of the could be subject to penYOU HAVE CREATED OR Texas Government Code, alties. This duty to keep RECEIVED JUST BECAUSE IT IS gives the public the right the information lasts for to access information however long the district ON YOUR PRIVATE DEVICE. about public business, inwould have retained the cluding public education. information if it were on The Texas Attorney General’s Office has ruled that the district’s system. That length of time is set in loinformation that is a public record remains a public cal policy. record regardless of where it is stored. This means Examples of public records you may already have districts and district employees have an obligation to and need to maintain or transfer: maintain and, subject to specific exceptions, quickly • Work-related communications, such as emails share records in response to a request. While your and texts. phone is your personal property, and your private • Downloaded or created documents related to information remains private, you have no right as your work. a current or former public school employee to keep • Social media posts if the content is workprivate any public information you have created or related. received just because it is on your private device.

Existing law establishes that public school emThe evolution of the use of personal technology ployees can be required to turn over work-related has meant districts must produce records even if content on their personal devices and requires the they were created or stored on personally owned employee to either forward the content to the disdevices. You may have already been asked to for- trict or keep it themselves. The law does not provide ward any communication, such as texts—related many details, though, such as how long a district to a student, class, etc.—that you stored on your must keep records or specify how an employee goes device, or you may know someone who has been. about forwarding records to their district. In the You also may have received guidance about main- absence of directions, you should seek clarification taining or sharing these records with the district continued on page 31 ATPE NEWS 11

YOUR VOICE

Who’s Talking to the Teachers?

A

BY JENNIFER MITCHELL ATPE Governmental Relations Director

12 ATPE NEWS

s you know from the ads playing on your they claim are pervasive in Texas classrooms. Even television and filling your mailbox, it’s an social and emotional learning (SEL)—incorporatelection year. Right about now, you are ed into our state’s curriculum standards and pro(we hope) preparing to vote in the May 24 prima- moted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)—has ry runoff election, or you voted early. Have you been branded as a leftist conspiracy “to change noticed how many campaign messages this year children’s worldview,” as one current Texas House pertain to education? candidate and non-educator put it, or described as From local school board races to the halls of the “mind control” and “propaganda,” per a State Board U.S. Capitol, it’s hard to escape mentions of critical of Education candidate who recently won her parrace theory (CRT), patriotic education, schools’ ty’s nomination. Isn’t it ironic that the candidates response to COVID-19, library books, or parental complaining most about curriculum and textbooks rights. These are topics worthy of discussion, par- are those with zero teaching experience and peoticularly during an elecple who haven’t stepped tion year when voters foot inside a classroom must make high-stakes in decades? choices at the polls. The The point is that electELECTED OFFICIALS AND problem is that educaed officials and politiPOLITICIANS FAR REMOVED FROM cians far removed from tors like you are often left out of those converthe classroom are tellTHE CLASSROOM ARE TELLING sations altogether. ing voters a story about VOTERS A STORY ABOUT WHAT IS In 2021, Texas lawwhat is taking place in TAKING PLACE IN OUR SCHOOLS, makers passed controour schools, and many AND MANY VOTERS BELIEVE IT versial curriculum bills voters believe it withto restrict how teachout ever talking to eduWITHOUT EVER TALKING TO ers discuss current cators like you who are EDUCATORS LIKE YOU. events and sensitive in classrooms teaching history-related topics students every day and in their classrooms. We wrote on our Teach the dealing with the myriad challenges that accompaVote blog about how the Texas Senate—ruled by ny a career in education.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick—drove the legislation and Right after the March election and Abbott’s pasuspended nearly every procedural rule the cham- rental rights crusade, which took center stage in ber had to pass the bills as quickly as possible with his contested primary, the governor directed his little interference from the pesky public or even appointed commissioner of education to form a the Texas House. Senators passed the bills in the Teacher Vacancy Task Force to address alarming middle of the night after taking no public testimo- educator shortages. Initially, the state planned to ny. Regardless of your political affiliation or beliefs invite superintendents and human resources diabout the merits of those bills, all educators and rectors to serve on the committee without a single voters should be appalled by the abuse of process, teacher member. Two teachers were added to the neglect of transparency, and obvious disdain for 26-member task force just prior to its public reeducators’ input on major education legislation. veal. Its goal was to explore staffing strategies and Despite boasts by Patrick, Gov. Greg Abbott, and regulatory changes that would make it easier for others that the Legislature successfully “banned the schools to fill vacant positions. The question of why teaching of critical race theory” with its passage of teachers are leaving was barely an afterthought. those bills, candidates up and down the ballot this Unsurprisingly, teachers reacted with outrage, year are harping about the urgency of combatting and ATPE rightfully complained that their voices the CRT, indoctrination, and “Marxist ideology” continued on page 31

PAC HONOR ROLL

Thank you for your investment in Texas public education!

The following ATPE members donated $50 or more to the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2022. ATPE-PAC only solicits donations from ATPE members, employees, and their families.

Abilene Tonja Gray Alief Barbara Lebold Alvin Ron Fitzwater Amarillo Michael Renteria Angleton Horacio Rodriguez Austin Elizabeth Abrahams Patricia Andrews Sondra Halweg Azle Cynthia Flynn Ballinger Darlene Kelly Elizabeth Lange Karen Thompson Bandera John Milner Yvette Milner Karen Pierce Beeville Ricardo Vasquez Birdville Tiffany Gygi Teri Naya Boerne Ona Beth Day Richard Wiggins

Brownsville Luis Fabela Carrollton-Farmers Branch Dana Carroll Nicholi Hoskins Stefani Johnson Tracy Seall Lori Smith Clint Robert Zamora Coleman County Sarah Beal Comal Geri Samuels-Greene Community Wendy Smith Crowley Crystal Hammill Steve Pokluda Cypress-Fairbanks Eli Rodriguez Dallas Lizandra Ayala Valentin Frankie Gillespie Felicia Robinson Tiea Samuel Maria Slette Mary Stricker Del Valle Debra Smith

Denton Joan Phillips Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Shelly Couch Edinburg San Juana Mercado Ferris Meredith Malloy Galena Park Sharon Dixon Lynn Nutt Garland Dwight Davis Derek Storey George West Cesarea Germain Georgetown Joshua Gleich Hale Center Sharon Ginn Hays David Cochran Highland Park (10) David Fahnle Houston Aiesha Odutayo Humble Gayle Sampley Irving Teri Daulton Connie Kilday

Joshua Emilia Carrillo Katy Courtney Davis Ollie Kendrick Keller Kori Simelaro Killeen Eileen Walcik Melissa Walcik Ron Walcik Klein Marsi Thomas Krum Tanya Gray Betty Plunkett Lake Dallas Ann Hodges Leander Jayne Serna Lewisville Tara Linz Lumberton Trudy Matus Mansfield Nicole Canoe Mason Justin McFarland McAllen Twila Figueroa MaElena Ingram

Mesquite Brandi Adelhardt Donnetta Allen Jerry Bonham Kimberly Davis Kristie Hernandez Sharon Nix Anita Kay Young Midway (9) Brandon Carpenter Midway (12) Jason Forbis Nacogdoches Katherine Whitbeck New Braunfels Alec Kelley North Lamar Shelia Slider Northside (20) David de la Garza Madonna Felan Kesha Harmon Evelyn Miles-Hoskin Bobbye Patton Olney Dale Lovett Charlotte Mahler Becky Spurlock Samuel Spurlock Paint Rock Melissa Faubion Paris Jerrica Liggins Abby Rogers Pasadena Charlotte Anthony Pineywoods Kevin Harrell Plano Caryn Bartle Ayanna Black Jennifer LeWinter Katy Matthews

Lindsay Robinson Dennise Schuler Prosper Michelle Roosa Quinlan Robert Wolfe Region 10 Deborah Pleasant Richardson Carl Garner Adina Malamut Charles Pickitt Robinson Michelle Ruddell Round Rock Stacey Coburn CaRita Forte Kristin Shelton Stephanie Stoebe San Antonio Byron Hildebrand San Felipe-Del Rio Terry Carcasi Sherman Lori Eckles South Texas College Lisa Spangler Spearman Sherry Boyd Tarleton State University Roberta Pate Tyler Betty Berndt Waxahachie Nora Crist Woden Teresa Millard ATPE Staff Ginger Franks Shannon Holmes Edwin Ortiz

Invest in the ATPE Political Action Committee today!

It’s easy to set up recurring monthly or quarterly donations online at atpepac.givesmart.com or by texting ATPEPAC to 76278.

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

ATPE NEWS 13

RANSOMWARE ON THE RISE: What Is It, and How Can Districts and Educators Protect Themselves?

BY JENNIFER TUTEN

on reported incidents, the true numbers aren’t known. In Texas, school districts are required to report cyber incidents to TEA. Several incidents have also been publicized in the news, including a ransomware attack in San Antonio’s Judson ISD and another in Allen ISD in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, only technology enabled schools to stay open and continue instruction from a distance. But with the benefit of that connection comes the risk of sensitive information getting into the wrong hands.

According to the FBI, schools are now the most popular target for cyberattacks.

The K12 Security Information Exchange (K12 SIX) tracks these incidents as reported in school districts throughout the country, and the organization has reported 1,331 cyber incidents between 2016 and March 2022.

Even as schools have shifted back to in-person instruction, the problem is as pervasive as ever. According to K12 SIX’s latest annual report, 2021 marked the third straight year in which over 50 ransomware attacks had been reported—and the first year ever in which they were the most frequently reported incident type. Because the data relies 14 ATPE NEWS

WHAT IS RANSOMWARE? Malicious software, or malware, is designed specifically to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. In ransomware attacks, an attacker demands a sum of money before releasing the compromised data—and the return of that information, or the promise that the data won’t be disseminated, is not guaranteed.

Virtually no industry remains untouched by cyberattacks. Everyone from the biggest tech companies to the smallest school districts in Texas have been affected. In a world connected by technology, perpetrators are notoriously difficult to track down, especially considering that attackers can shield themselves from consequence by conducting these attacks from overseas.

Several school districts in Texas have fallen victim to ransomware attacks and have, in some cases, paid out the ransom to recover their resources. In

©iStockphoto.com/zefart

ACCORDING TO THE FBI, SCHOOLS ARE NOW THE MOST POPULAR TARGET FOR CYBERATTACKS.

the summer of 2021, Judson ISD paid over $500,000 to protect personally identifiable information (PII) from being published on the dark web, a collection of hidden websites often associated with illicit activity.

The FBI does not recommend paying a ransom in the event of such an attack.

Not only does payment not guarantee that a district will recover its data, but also it emboldens ransomware gangs to continue preying on other victims.

Nacogdoches ISD suffered a ransomware attack in early 2020 before the pandemic. The district did not pay the demanded ransom, but district officials did alert TEA and the FBI. In some cases years’ worth of classwork was lost, but the district was spared the repercussions of losing PII. Two educators from the district shared their experiences and insights with ATPE, illustrating how pervasive this problem is and how vulnerable school districts really are.

Roya Dinbali, a forensics teacher at Nacogdoches High School, largely relies on pen and paper—and because she teaches in a lab, the classes are very hands-on. Although she wasn’t affected by the cyberattack in 2020 because she had backed up her work, the experience has made her more cautious of emails from even the most trusted sources.

The signs of an email phishing attempt are not always so obvious, as she shares. In one case, cyberattackers have attempted to phish through social engineering, impersonating district employees to the point they even write their emails in the same style as the employee they’re impersonating.

According to Dinbali, the signs are easy enough to miss in an inbox full of other messages: The sender’s email

address might be cut off, only revealing the employee’s real email address, with “Gmail.com” appended to the end.

“When you see an email from your principal saying something needs to be done right now, you get that sense of urgency. But thankfully when this first started, something told me to reach out to the ‘sender’ directly.”

RANSOMWARE RUNS RAMPANT Travis Squyres, a robotics and cybersecurity teacher at Nacogdoches High School, has his students take on the inner workings of cyberattacks, learning the hardware and software of an operating system and understanding what attackers try to use to get into machines. Given the rise in ransomware attacks and other cyber incidents, he’s confident the skills they pick up in his class will serve them well in their future careers.

One of Nacogdoches’ neighboring districts, Lufkin ISD, published a position for a cybersecurity analyst on their district career website in March.

Squyres remarks: “You wouldn’t have imagined five years ago that you would need someone like this in your school district, but it’s coming.”

And for many other Texas districts, it already has.

Athens ISD’s 2020-21 school year was delayed by a week because of a cyberattack that occurred in July 2020.

Ultimately, the school board opted to pay the ransom, citing the alternative was the “greater evil in this case.”

Attackers targeting Allen ISD in fall 2021 took their ransomware demand a step further by contacting parents with children in the district. They sent ominous emails stating that the school Continued on page 31

ATPE NEWS 15

iCSI: TEACHING THE N E X T G E N E R AT I O N O F CYBERPROFESSIONALS

BY DAVID GEORGE | PHOTOS BY JOHN KILPPER

S

an Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and outside of Washington, D.C., the San Antonio area employs more cybersecurity specialists than anywhere else in the United States. A whopping 40 cybersecurity companies are headquartered in the area, and numerous local factors point to excellent growth potential in this sector. To keep up with the expected surge in job openings for skilled professionals, the tech industry will need an abundance of talented individuals in the near future.

North East ISD (NEISD) saw an opportunity to meet this need by investing in an internal program and an impressive new facility that would attract interested students. This program allows students to learn necessary skills to earn key certifications and successfully position themselves for careers throughout the local tech industry—more specifically, the massive field of cybersecurity. This groundbreaking venture designed to connect students with bright futures in the local tech industry has come to be known as the Institute of CyberSecurity and Innovation (iCSI).

BUILDING THE PROGRAM The NEISD cybersecurity program originated as a single pathway program at Theodore Roosevelt High School, a magnet school, with anywhere between 50 and 60 students. It was first known as the Engineering and Technologies Academy (ETA), and the success of that program led to a conversation about the growing cybersecurity industry in San Antonio.

16 ATPE NEWS

The potential for growth in the job market and the industry’s needs in the San Antonio area inspired NEISD to seize an opportunity to expand the program in both size and scope, making it available to more students in the district.

For Josh Beck, lead instructor of iCSI, this program has been a long time in the making. “I started off as an English teacher 20 years ago, and then I taught myself programming,” Beck explains. “I later took a job at a magnet school teaching programming. That led to a 20-year IT experiment that resulted in this program.”

Early in his career, Beck looked to incorporate technology into his classroom. He always enjoyed the process of playing with the technologies that underlie end-user experience and cobbling together old computers to set up servers to work through bugs. He taught himself programming languages and put together what may well have been the first Linux computer lab at the K-12 level in Texas. His idea for the program progressed one class and one certification at a time.

Beck even studied with his students. “For the first few years, any student who was studying for a professional certification was doing it right along with me,” he says. “In several cases, I would go with the students to take the tests. Every year, I set a goal to get one more cert and bring the knowledge and skills I acquire into the classroom.”

In 2013, he was hired to teach IT and programming for the ETA magnet program at Roosevelt High School, and it was here that Beck began to connect the cybersecurity skills his students were learning

to industry needs in the local area. With so many tech jobs available and a lack of skilled individuals to fill them, Beck envisioned a pipeline that could benefit both his students and his community. iCSI launched at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year with a new facility, but it was built on an existing program with a successful track record. While its predecessor was located in one corner of the district, the new facility’s central location allows for maximum participation from all seven of the district’s high schools.

IN HIGH DEMAND iCSI was designed to bring students interested in programming and cybersecurity together with industry professionals to provide unprecedented networking and mentoring opportunities. Cybersecurity professionals regularly visit the North East ISD Cybersecurity Center to discuss jobs they are looking to fill, teach labs, give presentations, and provide career awareness to the students.

Cybersecurity is a very diverse field, so the program—based in computer science—branches out into coding, programming, and networking as well. Each of these disciplines works together to defend computers, servers, mobile devices, electronic systems, networks, and databases from malicious attacks. As a result, the basic curriculum incorporates bits of each while allowing students to explore the certifications and career paths that interest them as they advance through the program.

“Every device connected to the internet has an operating system that is vulnerable

to cybersecurity threats,” Beck says. “We teach the students how bad guys—hackers—try to manipulate these systems and exploit misconfigurations of the networks.”

At iCSI, students learn to thwart these efforts with hands-on experience working with industry-standard hardware, software, and platforms. The first year is designed to be a boot camp for basic skills where students learn everything from interactive web design to creating virtual operating systems. Remarkably, no prior knowledge or experience is necessary because the instructors use differentiation to adapt the curriculum to students’ current knowledge and experience while allowing students at different levels to learn at their own pace.

This unique program allows students from the district’s seven high schools to attend iCSI two class periods each day while remaining a student of their home campus. A variety of certification options are available for students as they progress through the program—all of which are paid for by the district through federal grants.

“We made sure to add an industry certification for every school year the students are in the program,” says Justin Missildine, NEISD senior director of career and technical education. “And we feel the certifications we are providing are very valuable for entry-level jobs in industry.”

As the new iCSI program is phased in, its predecessor, the ETA program, is being phased out. After the district initially surveyed students to query their interests, cybersecurity ranked rather low. But once some students were exposed to the new curriculum and learned about the growing need for trained professionals in the cybersecurity industry, the number of enrollment applications was double the amount they could actually serve the first year.

This year, 390 students have applied for only 170 spots. With the influx of applications, a lottery system has been created to eliminate any barriers for entry and make it completely equitable for every interested student.

Every device connected to the internet has an operating system that is vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. We teach the students how bad guys—hackers—try to manipulate these systems and exploit misconfigurations of the networks.”

— Josh Beck, lead instructor of iCSI for North East ISD

A HIGH-TECH WONDERLAND The NEISD Cybersecurity Center is designed to look and feel like a real-life security operations center (SOC). Computers are set up in groups so students can work in teams. The network lab is outfitted with ATPE NEWS 17

Cisco routers and switches so students get the opportunity to work hands-on with real networking equipment.

“Every bit of hardware is state-of-the-art, and the enterprise virtualization infrastructure is way beyond anything you would ever see anywhere else at the K-12 level,” Beck says.

There are ciphers (encrypted and encoded messages) hidden in art all around the building that require a range of cyber skills to decode. As students progress through the program, they learn concepts and strategies that allow them to translate the ciphers into the hidden messages their instructors have left for them to discover.

The new facility was once a neighborhood HEB and then Walmart before NEISD renovated it into the state-of-the-art cybersecurity institute you see today. From the outside of the building, the structure blends neatly into the surrounding shopping center, but once you step inside, you are transported to a high-tech wonderland that rivals anything you have seen on a Hollywood set. Everything from the murals in the hallways to the lighting in the classrooms provides an extraordinary experience for students and an atmosphere where they can successfully explore the curriculum and engage with instructors.

“We are looking to add additional classrooms and a large competition area or arena, where students can compete in cybersecurity, e-sports, and robotics competitions to serve as a community technology center,” Missildine says. “We are also looking to add a collaborative center where industry folks can come and work directly with our students.” iCSI currently has only two instructors, but additional qualified instructors—somewhere between six and eight total—will be needed as the program expands. NEISD hopes to attract candidates from industry as well as traditional educators with an IT skillset as 18 ATPE NEWS

Other schools run cyber security programs with pathways for certification, but they don’t have a standalone, dedicated facility for this purpose, especially not to the level that we have established here.”

— Justin Missildine, senior director of career and technical education for North East ISD

long as they can meet the qualification requirements and have a passion for teaching.

THE NEXT GENERATION The future of cybersecurity is looking bright for NEISD students. The combination of available jobs, access to technology, networking opportunities, and an engaging curriculum of this caliber add up to a program that is already achieving amazing levels of success. The incredible rate of students returning to the program after their first year has exceeded all expectations at more than 92%.

Missildine attributes much of the program’s success to the learning environment they have created for the students: “Our ultimate goal was to provide realworld opportunities to mirror what an actual working environment might look like.

The SOC we have created here is meant to closely resemble the SOCs used in industry.

An iCSI partner even made the statement that our SOC ‘resembles the FBI SOC.’” NEISD hopes the program and its success will inspire districts across the state and country to do something similar for their students. The iCSI model is the product of a team effort and many years of

refinement, and it is unique in its ability to provide students with the practical, handson training they could only otherwise receive in the field.

“A decade ago, IT training in high schools was just not yet a thing,” Beck says. “Over the course of several years, we learned what worked and what didn’t, and our involvement and success in Cyberpatriot competitions opened the doors for younger students to get interested in the field.”

With the help of these Cyberpatriot competitions, NEISD has piqued the interest of local middle schools and helped them create their own Cyberpatriot teams. The skills required to excel in contests like the National Cyber Defense competition—the definitive high-school level cybersecurity competition—are closely aligned to the skills and certifications taught in the program.

“Other schools run cybersecurity programs with pathways for certification, but they don’t have a standalone, dedicated facility for this purpose, especially not to the level that we have established here,” Missildine explains.

Some of the middle school Cyberpatriot competitions are hosted at the new facility to introduce those students into the program. They have also put together field trips for local elementary schools to get them exposed at a younger age and broaden their reach. In the summertime, iCSI instructors plan to run coding camps for middle school students and host an orientation for the next year’s freshman class.

NEISD also provides equipment to middle schools so they can participate in Cyberpatriot competitions as well. Beck trains the middle school coaches and provides curriculum and lessons to engage the younger students. They now support upward of 75 teams—almost triple what they had last year!

Continued on page 31

Cybersecurity Tips to Protect Your Data As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, the rules for navigating the internet have become more complex as well. But districts and educators can still take a few simple precautions to avoid falling victim to a scam.

BY JENNIFER TUTEN

FOR EDUCATORS PROTECT YOURSELF FROM EMAIL SPOOFING If you are unsure of the legitimacy of an email, confirm with the source directly. Spoofing can appear to originate from a legitimate entity with whom you’ve already established a relationship (e.g., a retailer or service provider).

However, the provided contact information or the link may lead to a fraudulent phone number or form in which you’re prompted to provide sensitive information.

If you suspect an email is spoofed, do not click on any links or attachments. Reach out directly to the organization the email purports to be from to confirm its legitimacy. If the email’s legitimacy can’t be verified, report and block the sender, then update your email password.

FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS GET INSURANCE AND LEGAL PROTECTION As Travis Squyres—a robotics and cybersecurity teacher from Nacogdoches ISD—points out, the chances of a cyberattack happening are not a matter of if but when. “It’s crucial for school districts to be prepared. Instead of waiting to do damage control in the event of an attack, assume it will happen at some point and call on experts to protect your resources.”

DON’T SHARE PASSWORDS Although this may sound like a common-sense measure against cyberattacks, it’s crucial to refrain from sharing passwords in online forms, emails, or chats. This also applies to colleagues in person. Once you share that password, it should be considered compromised and needs to be updated immediately before it can be used by unauthorized individuals or shared with someone with malicious intent.

KEEP PUBLISHED CONTACT INFORMATION TO A MINIMUM For Nacogdoches ISD, Squyres speculates the cyberattackers who sent phishing emails to district employees were familiar with the staff hierarchy and were able to infiltrate their system because the staff’s email addresses are published on the school district’s website. Keep individual email addresses confidential and publish a general email address for all external school communications.

MAKE YOUR PASSWORDS AIRTIGHT The longer and more complicated you make your password, the tougher it will be to crack. Use a combination of numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and symbols.

Additionally, steer clear of using personal information such as names, dates of birth, or other details that could easily be guessed.

TRAIN EMPLOYEES ON CYBERSECURITY BEST PRACTICES Hold regular trainings that cover your district’s policies and procedures, as well as common tactics of cyberattackers for which employees should be on the alert. Some cybersecurity trainings even offer gamified experiences that can increase engagement.

ATPE NEWS 19

BACK IN PERSON & FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE July 6–8 | Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center | Grapevine

After two virtual ATPE Summits, we’re more than ready to leave our computer screens behind and gather in Grapevine for the biggest reunion ATPE members have ever seen.

Make plans to attend the ATPE Summit July 6–8 to connect with friends (both old and new), grow as an educator and leader, and shape ATPE’s future during the House of Delegates.

20 ATPE NEWS

WHAT’S IN STORE?

HOW TO ATTEND

Earn up to 7 hours of CPE

Registration

In addition to keynotes by Alex Sheen, founder of Because I said I would, and Dr. Jill Siler, author of Thrive Through the Five, you’ll have the chance to attend your choice of sessions presented by your fellow ATPE members.

Topics include classroom management, the power of positivity, accommodations for students to help them be successful, and apps and websites to enhance community engagement. In addition, our professional learning partners TCEA, the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, and It’s Time Texas will present breakouts.

Delegates will elect the 2022-23 state officers and shape ATPE’s legislative priorities for the coming year. Visit atpesummit.org to review reports from the 2021-22 ATPE Legislative and Resolutions committees.

The delegate certification deadline is June 7. Per the ATPE State Bylaws, only local unit or region presidents are eligible to register and certify delegates for the summit.

Please contact your local unit president to attend. If you are a current member but don’t belong to an active ATPE local unit, please contact your region president if you are interested in attending. Region presidents must register and certify at-large members. If you are unsure who your region president is or are having difficulty reaching your president, please email ATPE’s volunteer program coordinator at volunteer@atpe.org.

The registration fee is $150 until June 7; after that date, it increases to $160. The fee includes access to all general sessions, professional learning breakouts, volunteer training sessions, and the House of Delegates. Evening activities are available at an additional cost; visit atpesummit.org for details.

Focus on ATPE’s future

Hotel Reservations

Use your voice in the House of Delegates

Enhance your volunteer leadership skills with sessions on future planning for local units, advocating at the school board level, using social media to your advantage, and more.

Mix and mingle at special events

On Wednesday evening, we’ll recognize the brightest stars in the ATPE universe with a celebration two years in the making! Thursday evening, kick back and enjoy the Gaylord Texan, or choose from special events, including a behind-the-scenes tour of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.

Reserve your room at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center by June 7 through the housing link at atpesummit.org/housingreservations. Please do not contact the hotel directly. The room rate is $213 plus tax per night (for up to four people) and is inclusive of a $20 resort fee.

ATPE NEWS 21

MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Opening Keynote:

Closing Keynote:

Alex Sheen is the founder of Because I said I would, a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept. Sparked by the loss of his father, Alex and his organization send “promise cards” to anyone anywhere in the world at no cost. Alex is someone who truly honors commitment.

He once walked over 240 miles across the entire state of Ohio in 10 days to fulfill a promise. In just two years, Because I said I would has sent over 12.3 million promise cards to over 153 different countries. The promises written on these cards have made headlines around the world. Alex is a five-time TEDx Talk speaker, and his charitable work has been featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, CNN, The Today Show, NPR, and many other programs, as well as in The Los Angeles Times.

Dr. Jill Siler served as the superintendent of Gunter ISD for nearly 10 years and now serves as the deputy executive director for professional learning at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).

Jill has served as an educator for 25 years and began her career as a high school social studies teacher and coach before becoming a campus and district leader.

Jill has a passion for impacting others and has been a frequent speaker to teachers and leaders alike.

Jill’s first book, Thrive Through the Five, was released in 2020, and focuses on how to thrive through the most challenging seasons.

Alex Sheen

22 ATPE NEWS

Dr. Jill Siler

Artist’s appearance arranged through Gotham Artists

YOUR ATPE STATE OFFICER CANDIDATES The 2022-23 state officer candidates will deliver speeches outlining their skills, backgrounds, qualifications, and philosophies beginning at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, July 7, during the House of Delegates Meeting. Delegates will cast their votes electronically between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. the same day. Only certified delegates may vote.

President

Vice President

Stacey Ward ATPE leadership experience: State vice president, secretary, and treasurer; member of the Bylaws, Finance, Legislative, PAC, Resolutions, and Services & Discounts committees; Region 4 director, president, vice president, secretary, and past president; Humble ATPE president, vice president, and secretary ATPE recognition: President of a Local Unit of the Year finalist; finalist for Educator of the Year Current position: Fifth grade math and science teacher in Humble ISD Other leadership experience: Mu Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma legislative chair; science and math professional development presenter in Humble ISD; previous member of superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Committee; fifth grade team leader on campus; student council co-sponsor; district and campus Math Olympiad sponsor; committeeman for the Western Heritage Community Challenge Committee; committeeman, captain, and assistant chair captain for the Corral Club at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Years in ATPE: 25 Years in education: 25

Jayne Serna ATPE leadership experience: State secretary and treasurer; chair of the board Finance Committee; member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance and Ad Hoc Committee on Region Governance; member of Educators Professional Liability and Employment Rights, Member Services, Resolutions, and Volunteer Advisory committees; Region 13 director, president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and past president; Leander ATPE president, membership committee chair, and campus representative ATPE recognition: Secondary Teacher of the Year; William B. Travis honoree; Stephen F. Austin honoree; ATPE-PAC Statesman; Ben Shilcutt Plus Club Current position: Adjunct professor of history at Austin Community College Other leadership experience: Member of the TEA/SBEC/T-TESS Classroom Teacher Standards Advisory and the TEA STAAR/EOC U.S. History Item Review committees; member of the Curriculum Development Committee for Leander ISD Social Studies; member of the site-based improvement committee for Leander High School; member of the City of Leander Bond Advisory and Comprehensive Plan Advisory committees; president and secretary of Leander Parks and Recreation Advisory Board; co-founder and president of Leander FC, a 600-plus player 501(c)(3) youth sports organization; and worship team member (keyboards and vocals), Hope Bible Fellowship, Round Rock Years in ATPE: 33 Years in education: 33

Get to know the candidates online

All candidates have the opportunity to create short videos about their qualifications and vision for state officer service. Submitted candidate videos will be available at atpesummit.org/candidates starting June 1.

ATPE NEWS 23

YOUR ATPE STATE OFFICER CANDIDATES

Secretary

Treasurer

Jason Forbis ATPE leadership experience: State treasurer; chair of board Finance and Membership committees; chair of state ATPE Political Action, Legislative, and Professional Rights & Responsibilities committees; member of state Membership and Resolutions committees and Board of Directors Ad Hoc Committee on Fund Balances; vice president of ATPE Foundation board; Region 12 director, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and past president; chairman of the Region 12 Scholarship Committee; Midway (12) ATPE president, membership chair, treasurer, and campus representative; Waco ATPE president, vice president, secretary, campus representative, and scholarship committee chair ATPE recognition: Region 12 Elementary Educator of the Year; Stephen F. Austin honoree; William B. Travis honoree; Ben Shilcutt Plus Club; ATPE-PAC Statesman; officer of Green Apple award-winning local unit Current position: First grade teacher in Midway (12) ISD Other leadership experience: Member of the MISD (12) Superintendent’s Spirit of Communication Council; Baylor University student teacher mentor; MISD (12) campus and district UIL coordinator; UIL campus coach; 2008 TEA state committee member; district science committee member, professional development presenter in MISD (12); coordinator of food drive for the Hunger Free MISD Program; member of First Baptist Woodway; certified pharmacy technician at H-E-B

MaElena Ingram ATPE leadership experience: Member of board Finance and Membership & Volunteer committees; chair of state Public Information Committee; member of state Leader Development, Leader of the Year, Legislative, Membership, Minority & Diverse Population Recruitment, and Nomination/Election committees; Region 1 director, president, vice president, and treasurer; member of Region 1 Finance Committee; McAllen ATPE president, vice president, and treasurer; Zapata ATPE president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer ATPE recognition: Three-time ATPE Campus Representative of the Year; president of three-time ATPE Local Unit of the Year; Sam Houston Award for Political Involvement; William B. Travis honoree; ATPE Foundation donor Current position: Middle school dyslexia teacher in McAllen ISD Other leadership experience: Member of McAllen ISD Insurance and Joint Professional Consultation committees; member of ESC Region 1 Teacher of the Year Committee; Humanities Texas Award; National Endowment for the Humanities Award Years in ATPE: 40 Years in education: 40

Years in ATPE: 25 Years in education: 25

2022 ATPE HOUSE OF DELEGATES ATPE members from across the state will convene as the ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) on Thursday, July 7, during the ATPE Summit.

Delegates will elect the 2022-23 state officers, vote on any proposed new business, and approve the ATPE Legislative Program.

Please visit atpesummit.org to review the reports of the 2021-22 ATPE Legislative and Resolutions committees. If you have any questions about the HOD business, please contact your region director. Find contact information for your region director at atpe.org/board-of-directors.

24 ATPE NEWS

Treasurer

Treasurer

Jerrica Liggins

Shane Whitten ATPE leadership experience: Chair and member of board Policy Committee; member of board Finance Committee; chair of state Bylaws Committee; member of state ATPE Political Action, Bylaws Ad Hoc, and Legislative committees; Region 16 director, president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer; Amarillo ATPE campus representative ATPE recognition: Stephen F. Austin honoree; William B. Travis honoree; ATPE-PAC Statesman Current position: Assistant principal in Amarillo ISD Other leadership experience: Member of Amarillo ISD Teacher of the Year and Benefits committees; Amarillo ISD mentor; United Way Community Investment Committee; music minister, Hillcrest Baptist Church Years in ATPE: 27 Years in education: 27

ATPE leadership experience: Chair of Leadership and Nomination/ Election committees; member of Educator of the Year, Legislative, and Membership committees; Region 8 president, secretary, treasurer, and past president; Region 10 secretary; Paris ATPE president, secretary, and campus representative; Cooper Bulldogs ATPE founder and president; ATPE at the Capitol panelist; inaugural class of Leadership ATPE; membership campaign model ATPE recognition: Stephen F. Austin honoree, William B. Travis honoree, ATPEPAC Statesman Current position: Secondary education director at Paris ISD Other leadership experience: District UIL, county spelling bee, and CCMR coordinator; districtwide action and District of Innovation committee member; secondary campus needs assessment resource officer; professional learning communities mediator; HB 3 board goals and HB 4545 planning committee member; secondary academic advisor; mentor teacher; administrator mentor; CHAMPion mentor; YoungLife Lamar County mentor; Paris Downtown Food Pantry board member; Lamar County United Way campaign chair; Paris Debutante Scholarship Committee member; Teacher of the Year nominee, selection committee member; Mesquite ISD Excellence in Teaching Incentive Program; student council sponsor; cheer coach; political campaign volunteer; conference turn-around trainer: TCWSE, Texas ASCD, TASBE, and TASSP; superintendent certification; deaconess, usher and youth leader assistant at Paris New Generation Baptist Church Years in ATPE: 12 Years in education: 12

ATPE NEWS 25

ATPE invites you to join us as we visit “neighborhoods” all over Texas.

Get an inside look at what ATPE volunteers across the state are doing to recruit, retain, and rejoice with their fellow ATPE members!

In Your Neighborhood: ATPE Stories from Your Communities

26 ATPE NEWS

Project Maestros at Texas State In March, ATPE Regional Membership Specialist Yvette Milner and Bandera ATPE President John Milner got a chance to visit with Project Maestros program participants at Texas State University. The program supports pre-service teachers as they transfer from community colleges to Texas State. The college student and student teachers pictured are showing off the door prizes they won at the day’s event.

Region 11 ATPE An EF-3 tornado hit Jacksboro in North Texas March 21 and caused immense damage to the community’s schools.

On April 12, Region 11 ATPE Secretary Tina Alvarado visited Jacksboro ISD to deliver a $1,500 donation from the region to Superintendent Brad Burnett to assist campuses in their recovery.

Pictured are Jacksboro ATPE President Terry Stretcher, Alvarado, and Burnett.

Plano ATPE Beginning in December 2021, Clarice Cross of Plano ATPE helped organize a schoolwide donation drive at Schimelpfenig Middle School between each grade level. The grade level that donated the most items won a prize. Then in January, Cross and Katy Matthews, also of Plano ATPE, delivered over 100 items to the Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Region 4 ATPE Members gathered April 9 for the Region 4 Spring Assembly at the Junior League of Houston. The event featured a silent auction that raised money for the ATPE-Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC). Members also held a shoe drive, donating shoes for children in prekindergarten through 12th grade.

ATPE NEWS 27

YOUR ATPE

New Member Benefit Alert: ATPE Wellbeing Packages The past few years have brought new and previously unimaginable challenges to educators and their families. That’s why ATPE is pleased to introduce a new member benefit: ATPE Wellbeing Packages.

The ATPE Wellbeing Package is available to members for $7.50 per month, plus a one-time $3.95 fee. This package provides access to: Counseling sessions from the comfort of home. Evaluations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The LifeSpeak library of educational videos from the world’s leading experts on mental health, stress management, financial health, infertility, and more.

Prescription discounts through New Benefits Rx, allowing program participants to save 10% to 85% on most prescriptions at 60,000 retail pharmacies nationwide and through home delivery.

An online financial wellness center and the opportunity to call a financial counselor.

The ATPE Wellbeing Plus Package is available for $9.50 per month, plus a one-time $3.95 fee. In addition to the benefits outlined to the left, this package includes: Access to fertility, surrogacy, and adoption support by WINFertility to guide you through the challenges of a third-party journey to parenthood. Support includes education, resources, and medical discounts, as well as the opportunity to work with a nurse care manager as you explore fertility treatment options.

Caregiver support to help you manage the responsibilities of caring for family members at all ages of life. Support is available through three services: a web-based platform for storing vital medical information, coordinating with care team members, and sharing updates with family; a companionship and task assistance service; and a legal document creation service.

For more information about these packages and to enroll, please log in to the ATPE Member Discounts page at atpe.org/discounts.

Calling All ATPE Retired Members!

Earn a $100 Visa gift card just for sharing the wisdom you’ve gained from years in the education field!

Young educators could really use your help. As a retired ATPE leader and educator, your experience and enthusiasm are invaluable resources. We invite you to put those resources to use by spreading the word about ATPE at new-teacher orientations during August.

Don’t worry; we’ll supply you with everything you need! As a thankyou, you’ll receive a $100 Visa gift card for every three recruitment events you attend (limit five gift cards per person). ATPE can’t cover every school district without your help! If you would like more information, please contact ATPE Membership Manager Chris Chodacki at cchodacki@atpe.org or (800) 777-2873.

28 ATPE NEWS

YOUR ATPE

Finding the Best Fit: Which Membership Category Should You Join for 2022-23?

If your employment status is changing for the upcoming 2022-23 school year, you may need to make a change in your membership category. Log in to atpe.org/member-updates to notify ATPE of the change(s) you will need.

Are you a 2021-22 college student member? › If you will be student teaching or doing classroom observations in 2022-23, renew in the student teacher category so you have access to legal resources.* › If your 2022-23 coursework will not include classroom observations, renew in the college student category. (This is not an insured category.)

Are you a 2021-22 student teacher member? › If you will be teaching in your own classroom in 2022-23, renew as a first-time professional member so you have access to legal resources.* › If you will be substitute teaching, renew in the associate category to have access to legal resources.*

Are you moving into an administrator role in 2022-23? › If you will be employed as a principal, area superintendent, or superintendent for 2022-23, renew in the administrator member category so that you have access to legal resources.* › If you will be a vice principal, renew in the professional member category to have access to legal resources.*

Are you retiring at the end of 2021-22? › If you are retiring at the end of 2021-22, continue your ATPE membership in 2022-23 by renewing in the retired category for only $10. › The retired category is not an insured category, so if you will be substituting, you need to renew in the associate category to have access to legal resources.*

Are you planning not to work in education in 2022-23?

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

› If you will not be working in education in 2022-23, remain a part of the ATPE community by renewing in the public category for only $35. Public members receive ATPE publications and save using our services and discounts. › The public category is not an insured category, so if you will be substituting, you need to renew in the associate category to have access to legal resources.*

Please contact ATPE Membership at members@atpe.org or (800) 777-2873 if you have questions about which membership category you should join.

ATPE NEWS 29

YOUR ATPE

Planning a Summer Vacation?

Use the ATPE HotelPlanner Discount to Save Big!

I

f you are looking to take a well-deserved vacation this summer, why not save big with our ATPE HotelPlanner discount program?

Our service strives to ensure you the best pricing and hotel booking experience possible.

Susie Andrews, a 32-year educator and 22-year member of ATPE, had this to say: “The HotelPlanner discount program is an excellent benefit for ATPE members, and the rental car discount is too (especially when you go out of state). The service is easy to use and gives you travel options that you may not have believed you could fit into your budget.

“The discounts have helped me save so much when traveling, at least $20–$30 difference per night from what you can usually find with services like Priceline—even with refundable rates. Overall, my experience has been that you can always find a much better price with HotelPlanner.

“A friend of mine took a trip to Disney World, and using the program, she found an excellent deal—saving around 30%.

She thought it was too good to be true. I saved around $60 on a trip to New Jersey, and I thought, that is like five meals for me!

“It is so much savings that I just have to tell my coworkers about it. There are a lot of great things about ATPE, and this is just one of the perks that most people just aren’t familiar with. The discount is such a wonderful benefit that we should always share when recruiting new members because you just can’t beat the savings.”

ATPE members and their families can save up to 65% off room rates at over 800,000 lodging options worldwide, including VRBO and up to 40% on car rentals.

Visit atpe.hotelplanner.com today to save on your summer vacation!

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Now Hiring for 22-23 School Year!

Wayside Schools is a public PK-12 charter school hiring teachers of all grades in South Austin.

Apply today! waysideschools.org/careers

30 ATPE NEWS

continued from page 11—Your Ally

on the district’s retention policy and, as before, remain aware that you may be required to turn over work-related content.

Finally, you should also know that this law does not give an employer the right to search a privately owned phone. If you are directed or requested to allow such a search, you should seek legal advice.

The legal information provided here is accurate as of the date of publication. It is provided here is for informative purposes only. Individual legal situations vary greatly, and readers needing individual legal advice should consult directly with an attorney.

Please note: Rights based on the Texas Education Code may not apply to all. Many Texas Education Code provisions do not apply to public charter schools, and public school districts may have opted out of individual provisions through a District of Innovation plan. Eligible ATPE members may contact the ATPE Member Legal Services Department. continued from page 12—Your Voice

were being ignored. Even some superintendents appointed to the task force implored TEA to bring teachers into the discussion. The agency relented, announcing it would expand the task force with an equal number of classroom teachers—a belated acknowledgement that “teachers must be in the room,” as ATPE insisted, when discussing teachers’ issues.

ATPE exists to be the voice of Texas public school employees, and we will continue to speak up for you every day. But at this critical juncture, when students’ needs are greater than ever, yet the teachers who serve them are ignored at best and vilified at worst, we require your help. We need elected officials who will talk to teachers, hear their concerns, respect their professionalism, and help the public understand what really goes on in the classroom. Support for public schools need not be partisan. There are pro-public education candidates on the ballot from all parties who are willing to talk (and listen) to educators. Use ATPE’s resources on TeachtheVote. org to learn about them and consider giving them your vote.

Your voice must stop falling on deaf ears. continued from page 15—Ransomware

district had five days to pay the demanded ransom, or it would go up to $10 million.

Long-term effects

The consequences of a ransomware attack can linger in the long term as well, with students’ PII being a prime target for identity theft. In children’s cases, cyberattackers can distribute the information necessary to open a line of credit fraudulently, which can take years to discover—especially when targeting a child.

“It’s an uphill battle trying to defend yourself, finding out years down the road that this happened,” Squyres says. “And it’s not even guaranteed that you’ll have any recourse.”

In some districts where PII was compromised, including Allen and Dallas ISDs, the affected districts offered students and parents access to a free credit monitoring report to alert them to any suspicious activity. However, that may still not be enough.

“If a district says they’ll offer this service for two years, there’s still plenty of time beyond that for someone to use your information for identity theft,” Squyres says.

Being proactive, not reactive

How can school districts protect themselves from cyberattacks? Squyres acknowledges that many school districts may not have the resources available to either hire internal staff or contract the work to a third-party vendor. It wasn’t until his district came under attack that a contractor was sought out to prevent future incidents.

“It doesn’t matter how big or small your district is. Some small schools think they won’t be noticed, but look what happened to us. Bigger districts feel immune because they have the resources, but they are just as vulnerable.”

Squyres emphasizes the importance of being prepared going forward, saying that districts need to operate under the assumption that it will happen if it has not already. “It’s not a matter of if, but when.”

Dinbali is relieved that the 2020 ransomware attack in Nacogdoches didn’t turn out worse than it did, but her own district’s experiences—and those of districts that were not so fortunate—are a cautionary tale to be proactive, not reactive. continued from page 18—Cyberprofessionals

Looking Forward

The program has received very positive feedback from the students because of all the hands-on experience and engagement they are getting in the lab and through competitions.

The program also offers students a clear pathway to multiple certifications and career options.

“We see a range of graduate options for students to leverage the skills they learn in the program,” Beck says. “Some go straight into industry, others head to a community college, some attend a university—even MIT—and some join the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.”

In addition, students don’t need to attend the program for all four years to benefit from it. In order to graduate from high school with the cybersecurity endorsement, students only need to attend two years of the program. With this certification, students can look to earn top-secret government clearances and walk right into internships after high school.

“The University of Texas at San Antonio has a strong post-secondary program, and industry is growing here in San Antonio, and that has contributed to us creating this one-ofa-kind program,” Missildine says. “We preach the lifelong learner mindset to all of our students, and career development options are written into all of our TEKS.” Thanks in large part to the vision of a forward-thinking educator, iCSI has become a reality for North East ISD and an inspiration to other districts around the state. The program’s ability to simultaneously benefit students and fill a critical need in the local community speaks volumes on the value of collaboration between public education and private industry.

But perhaps more importantly, it is the commitment to their students’ passion for learning that has made the Institute of CyberSecurity and Innovation such a remarkable success.

ATPE NEWS 31

YOUR ATPE

Meet ATPE’s

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

ROGER GUTIERREZ

CYNTHIA VILLALOVOS

GINGER FRANKS

JOSEPH CRUZ

Regions 1 & 2 rgutierrez@atpe.org

Regions 3 & 4 cvillalovos@atpe.org

Regions 5–7 gfranks@atpe.org

Regions 8 & 10 jcruz@atpe.org

DIANE POKLUDA

MARY JANE WAITS

JEFF VEGA

YVETTE MILNER

Regions 9 & 11 dpokluda@atpe.org

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

Regions 16–19 jvega@atpe.org

Regions 13 & 20 ymilner@atpe.org

32 ATPE NEWS

comfortable “ I feel and confident with

ATPE in my corner.

—L AURA HERRERA Kindergarten teacher, North East ISD ATPE member since 2004

Since joining ATPE as a student teacher member, Laura Herrera— a kindergarten teacher who lives in San Antonio—has found career protection, leadership opportunities, and a professional voice through ATPE membership. Her involvement has grown her from interactions with her local unit community to representing her colleagues at the state level. “ATPE has always given me great opportunities to be in a leadership position,” Laura says.

No matter where you are in your career, ATPE is in your corner.

Learn more about 2022-23 membership at atpe.org/join-2022.

”

2022–23

ATPE Membership Application  Installment payments & auto-renew available for credit card/bank draft at atpe.org STEP 1

Personal Information

Name (first, middle, last)

Last 4 digits of SSN

ATPE member ID (optional)

Male

Birthdate (MM/DD/YY)

ISD

Female

Other

Campus

Cell phone (required)

Home phone (optional)

Personal email (required) Campus email (optional)

Employee ID number

Mailing address State

City ZIP

Recruited by Print: First Name

STEP 2

Membership Category (select one) & Invest in Education

Professional, Associate, and Administrator memberships will not be accepted after Jan. 31, 2023. First-Time Professional memberships will not be accepted after Oct. 31, 2022.

OPTIONAL: Invest in Education ATPE Local Unit Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ ATPE-PAC Suggested Donation . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Make a voluntary donation to our political action committee.

Received Date Print Name Signature

ATPE membership year begins 8/1/22 & ends 7/31/23. Some benefits’ effective dates may not match effective membership dates. Visit atpe.org for disclosure details/limitations. I understand that ATPE may contact me via information provided on this application, including email and text, to communicate about my benefits/account. ATPE dues are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes but may be deductible as misc. itemized deductions, subject to IRS restrictions. Approx. 95% of your dues dollar is considered deductible; 4.8% is used for lobbying activities and is therefore not deductible.

Support ATPE in your local school district.

Yes, contact me about becoming a volunteer!

STEP 3

DESIGNATED ATPE REPS

See atpe.org/member-categories for category descriptions.

Professional (teacher, counselor, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $175 First-Time Professional (never been a professional member) . $110 Associate (para-educator, aide, support staff, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . $90 Administrator (principal, superintendent, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . $225 Retired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10

Student Teacher, College Student, and Public members may join online at atpe.org.

Last Name

12

TOTAL $

Payroll Deduction Authorization

2022–23 Professional, Associate, and Administrator memberships will not be accepted after Jan. 31, 2023.* First-Time Professional memberships will not be accepted after Oct. 31, 2022.

I authorize ISD to deduct membership dues and donations. I further authorize ATPE to notify the ISD of changes in the amount of my annual dues and the ISD to deduct the new amounts. If my employment with the ISD ends, I authorize any unpaid balance to be deducted from my final check. This authorization for deductions is effective until I give notice to the ISD that I want to revoke it.

Total Amount $ I get paid

Total # of Deductions

Monthly

Last 4 digits of SSN

Bi-weekly

Date

I wish to cancel deduction of membership dues for: TX AFT

TCTA

TSTA

UEA

Other

Employee ID

Printed Name Signature

*ISD payroll offices may stop accepting payroll authorizations before Jan. 31, 2023.

How to Submit Your Application

Mail the entire application to: ATPE | 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300 | Austin, TX 78752

Or hand-deliver it to an authorized ATPE representative. Faxed or scanned applications are not accepted.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

T

he thousands of ATPE volunteers across Texas are the backbone of this association.

Their hard work and dedication allow ATPE to serve the state’s largest community of educators. In this ongoing ATPE News series, we spotlight volunteers who set a great example of service to their fellow educators. NEXT UP: SHERRY BOYD, a fourth grade reading teacher and president of Region 16 and Spearman ATPE.

EDUCATORS USING THEIR VOICE ATPE’s initial appeal for Boyd was the platform it offered educators to come together to use their voice.

“I am enthralled with the whole concept of the association since it is governed by members and not people who are from out of state or removed from the classroom,” Boyd explains. “It is actually the people in the trenches. That’s what attracted me at first. Knowing that there is someone standing up for us, that’s the big attraction.”

Boyd has lent her voice to ATPE advocacy efforts, even volunteering to testify at hearings in the Texas Senate. The experience made her realize how ATPE helps educators have a bigger impact together, something she tries to emphasize to her colleagues.

“A lot of younger teachers come in with an attitude that ‘nothing is going to happen to me. I don’t need an association. My voice doesn’t count.’ But we never know what is going to happen and what is going to be thrown at us or forced on us. If we don’t stand up and use our voice, we’re in trouble. When we come together to bring our concerns to our ATPE Governmental Relations team, they will carry those concerns on. Then we have access to our legislators. Then we have a voice.”

RECRUITING IN A RURAL DISTRICT Like many ATPE volunteers, Boyd says the pandemic restrictions that limited

in-person gatherings and on-campus visits made it more difficult to recruit new members. However, this only added to the challenges she already faced in a rural West Texas district where campuses and school districts are spread far apart.

Fortunately, Boyd has found success using specific tactics to overcome these challenges—tactics that could help not only other rural leaders but also leaders in larger districts. She begins on a small scale with an attainable goal.

“My advice is just to choose one school district or two and try to reach out to somebody. Start with the superintendent, and ask permission to come on campus, if possible, to set up a table and share news about ATPE. Even if you recruit just one person, that is one more than you had.

That person could become your member at-large and possibly down the line become a campus rep. When they become educated about ATPE and learn about it, maybe they can light the fire in somebody else. That’s what we have had to do.”

Most importantly, Boyd stresses that perseverance is the key to success.

“Just don’t give up, keep talking to people,” Boyd says. “One of our officers, I just kept encouraging her to come to a meeting. I said, ‘I really need a secretary.

Would you be our secretary?’ Eventually, she agreed to give it a try. She is still our secretary. Don’t give up; I haven’t given up yet.”

KNOWING THAT THERE IS SOMEONE STANDING UP FOR US, THAT’S THE BIG ATTRACTION.” — Sherry Boyd, fourth grade reading teacher and president of Region 16 and Spearman ATPE

IN BECOMING AN ATPE VOLUNTEER? Reach out to ATPE Volunteer Program Coordinator Anna Belle Burleson  INTERESTED at volunteer@atpe.org for details.

ATPE NEWS 35

Association of Texas Professional Educators 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300 Austin, TX 78752-3792

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—Edward Gigliotti, school counselor and adjunct instructor, Pepper Drive School, California

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