6 | HR Connection
President’s Message
G
reetings from far West Texas - El Paso! With the holidays rapidly approaching, we are reminded about what is most important in our lives. We have learned to appreciate one another and enjoy the blessings that we have. Keep your loved ones close to your heart while we are still navigating through the latter part of this pandemic. It is hard to believe that our first semester is winding down. School districts across the state have been met with some unique challenges this 2021-2022 school year. However, as we all did last school year, we have all endured despite staffing shortages, technology issues, the mask wearing controversies, vaccines for employees, vaccines for students, boosters, etc. We committed ourselves to ensuring that our students in Texas would continue to receive a high-quality education. I hope everyone celebrated in the month of October “Texas Education Human Resources Day” proclaimed by the Governor Abbott in your respective Districts. This provides us the opportunity to highlight the important contributions and the role that human resource staff play in public education. TASPA as an organization has continued to provide support and direction to Human Resource staff throughout the state in spite of the pandemic. As an organization with approximately 950 members, we have moved forward by providing professional
development to our membership through workshops, webinars, and conferences. We just had a very successful Fall Support Staff Conference in October and we are looking forward to our Legal and Winter Conference on December 8-10, 2021 to be held at the Kalahari Resort. Please mark your calendars and make plans to attend! Also, please check the TASPA website for future webinars and events! I encourage everyone working in human resources to obtain or update a TASPA membership in order to not miss out on any vital information and/or opportunities related to our HR field that may come across through emails or newsletters. The month of December will conclude my term as President of TASPA. It has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to meet, connect and network with HR professionals not only in Texas, but across many other states. I have had the opportunity to attend the AASPA Conference in Washington D.C. to receive an award on behalf of TASPA called the Arch S. Brown Award - Affiliate of the Year. We were also presented with the Newsletter of the Year Award. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the TASPA membership and I would like to thank you all for your support. I would also like to thank the three hard working ladies who comprise the TASPA staff for their help during my tenure. Last but not least, the folks that sit beside me on the TASPA Board, thank you! They are a formidable team of professionals with the experience, passion and dedication to human resources in public education that have helped make this year a successful one. I am proud to be part of this Board and this organization. Hope to see everyone in December. Stay healthy and safe!
Martha Carrasco Martha Carrasco is the 2021 TASPA President. She is the Chief Human Resources Officer in Canutillo ISD.
