LEADERSHIP ATPE: DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL

BY JENNIFER TUTEN

Lthe association, their school districts, and their communities.

Leadership ATPE takes place every two years, and the next training academy will begin in August. Applications will be accepted through May 26, and applicants who are selected will be notified of accep tance the week of June 26. Participants will attend two expense-paid leadership retreats, where they will receive training from experts in the fields of education, ad vocacy, nonprofit management, and more.

ATPE caught up with a few participants from previous cohorts to ask about their experience with the program.

Region 3 ATPE Director Mandy Vahrenkamp was selected to join the inau gural class back in 2018. “Leadership ATPE was something new … and it was going to give me the opportunity to make more connections with educators, along with being able to see how state officers serve the organization.” Vahrenkamp says the

Leadership ATPE participants attend two expense-paid weekend learning retreats where they connect with fellow emerging leaders and collaborate on projects that prepare them for leadership within ATPE and beyond. Pictured is 2021-22 cohort member Juaquin Zavala presenting his group’s project. Learn more about Leadership ATPE and other ATPE volunteer opportunities at atpe.org/volunteers represented the organization, educators, and even students the best that I could. Every educator has a voice, and I wanted to make sure that not only my voice was heard, but also those of others with whom I work in this ever-changing and demand-

Stoebe adds: “Aside from the work on something that I was passionate about, I loved being part of a professional community inside of a professional community! There were educators from all across Texas, and it was so rewarding to hear their voices. Texas is huge! We need to hear about the towns as small as Dime Box to cities as large as Dallas. When the Legislature or TEA imposes rules or laws on our profession, it impacts communities differently.”

Region 16 ATPE President Michael Renteria also built rapport quickly with fellow participants: “We became family over the course of our first weekend together. And, as I think about my experience with ATPE from the beginning, it is all about family. The family dynamic is what continues to drive my dedication to the organization.”

Leadership ATPE members put that rapport to work as they collaborate on various projects that empower them to implement much-needed solutions in their own school districts.

Cross says: “As a group project, we had to identify a problem and brainstorm solutions—our group tackled teacher shortages. We discussed reasons why teachers are leaving the profession and some possible solutions. There’s not going to be an overnight solution, but some possible solutions that districts could try to retain teachers and encourage people to come into the profession. It was good to work in a group setting and get new ideas from people from all over, then take those ideas back to our campuses.”

Stoebe’s group completed a project called “Do Educators Have Free Speech?” In their research and presentation, the group focused on how many professionals in education feel discouraged from discussing educational issues or political topics.

“They fear suppression or even retaliation from school and district leaders,” Stoebe says. “We talked about the dos and don’ts of voicing an opinion, the importance of always being professional, and even legal cases promoting free speech for educators. Of course, we also talked about ATPE’s stance on this topic. When leading any organization, it is imperative that your work and speech supports their mission and values.”

Program Preparation

Dinbali is always eager to share with others the value of her Leadership ATPE experience, whether a fellow member is looking for leadership opportunities within the association or looking to advance in their career outside ATPE: “If you have leadership ambitions, especially if you’d like to become an ATPE state officer, you’ll really get a lot out of the program. I learned a lot about myself