President’s Message

HIt looks like the Holiday Season is here, time really flies. It seems like just yesterday we were working to find creative new ways to fill in vacancies and spend ESSER funds. These and other factors have really made this year a challenge. Although it has felt difficult, I invite you to take a step back and reflect on the great things that have happened this year. Let us celebrate that we started school with kids and teachers back in classrooms. Let us celebrate that we have found creative ways to fill vacancies with limited resources from the State. Let us celebrate the opportunities we had to collaborate with colleagues to solve problems or brainstorm ideas. Let us celebrate that we have made it through this year of constant changes. Speaking of celebrations and changes, I would like to share some of the great things that have happened at TASPA in 2022. TASPA saw our membership grow to over 1,000 members. Thank you to returning long time members, new members, TASPA Staff and those who have actively recruited members. This is a great milestone. TASPA was privileged to work with Dr. Lolly Guerra as she gets ready to retire and enjoy time with family after a long successful career in education. Dr. Guerra announced her retirement a while back but has continued to help TASPA as we searched for an executive director. Although she had planned to leave earlier, the Board and I asked (or begged) Dr. Guerra to stick around a few weeks to help us with the transition of Executive Director. The weeks stretched into months and prolonged her retirement. Our friend Lolly has gone above and beyond during this transition for the sake of TASPA. Lolly, thank you for your commitment to TASPA and for being a great friend. We welcomed a new staff member to TASPA, Jeannie Tomasek, Director of Programs & Membership. Jeannie has fit right into the TASPA family and is successfully taking on every obstacle in her way. We are extremely grateful for Jeannie. The last major change for TASPA is the announcement of the new Executive Director, Chandelle Crane. Chandelle will continue the work of TASPA in providing informative workshops, professional development based on needs, and providing members with legislative information. Chandelle will continue our tradition of awesome relationships with sponsors and members. Congratulations Chandelle, the Board and I are excited for you. These changes were major and were possible because of a great TASPA Board, staff, members, and sponsors. Please accept my sincere gratitude to you all! As for me, it’s been a great run and I see many great things for TASPA in the future. I ask that we commit to staying informed and very active during the legislative 2023 session. This is important because there are State leaders out there that are not in favor of public schools and there are others who are just misinformed. Stay active with our voice so that our work is focused on providing a great public school experience for kids across Texas and not used for political gain. I am excited about the opportunity to see my TASPA family at the winter conference. Happy Holidays and thank you for the opportunity of serving as TASPA President.

Max Flores