Staying Connected

My favorite picture from my last trip

I recently traveled home to visit my parents. The five-hour drive from the Dallas/Fort Worth area to Canyon, Texas (in the Panhandle), is one of my favorites. It is a time for me to reflect and catch up on my thoughts, as I am forced to disconnect from social media. The 355-mile drive takes me through the many small towns that are sprinkled along 287. 

This time, I found myself thinking about the special bond that educators share, and how much I appreciate my colleagues at ATPE. Please check out my post on the ATPE blog!

Irving ATPE's Back to School Mixer in September.

By the way, this blog post was sponsored by ATPE, but the words and opinions are 100% mine!

A Champion for Educators

New routines, new students, new teachers… can only mean a new year!  I recently began my 14th year (oh my goodness... only 14!) in a school district. At the beginning of the summer I chose my word for the upcoming year. Champion.  I blogged about it here I rewatched one of my favorite Youtube videos by Rita Pierson: Every Kid needs a Champion, and I started my school year.

And, I just published a new blog post about how important I think the word, “Champion,” is to our students on the Association of Texas Public Educators (ATPE) blog. Check it out!

By the way, this blog post was sponsored by ATPE, but the words and opinions are 100% mine!

The first week of school I reminded myself to think about my word for the year, “Champion,” as I worked with new teachers.  I wanted to be a Champion for them and help them realize how important they are to our school.  I wanted to be a Champion for the returning teachers to help them see their value to the students and the classroom.  I also wanted to be a Champion for myself and do things that were going to make me perform better and feel better. While I am working on being a Champion for those people around me, I know that I am a part of an association that is being a Champion for Texas Educators.

Fourteen years ago I began my teaching career in a small school district.  I joined the ATPE because you are supposed to make sure that you are covered by a professional association… right?  I made sure that I signed up every year knowing that if I was ever faced with a need to be covered legally I would be.  As I have grown in my profession I learned that ATPE was so much more than legal coverage.

Here are a few of my favorite ways ATPE is a Champion for Texas educators:

· By always having Texas Educators in mind.  ATPE advocates for Texas Education! Check out the ATPE Advocacy page http://www.atpe.org/en/Advocacy.

· By keeping us informed.  Have you checked out teachthevote.org to research the education stances of candidates for the State Board of Education and the Texas Legislature? (Even better? There are no endorsements--just information!)

· By having a huge amount of resources availabe.  This includes online trainings and book studies.

· By having amazing benefits and discounts for just being a member (did I mention there are matching funds from DonorsChoose.org available too???)

ATPE encompasses the word Champion in so many ways, but it also consists of Champions.  

ATPE is a member-owned and member-governed association that is full of passionate educators.

When people hear the word Champion many automatically think of sports or winning a competition.

I prefer: Champion: a person who fights for or defends any person or cause. My word for this year is “Champion.” I am going to be a Champion for myself and others and know that ATPE is my Champion everywhere else!

Are you a member of ATPE? Do you have a power word each year?

ATPE Summitt

Part of the Irving ATPE members after the banquet

This past week I was able to attend the ATPE Summit.  ATPE is the Association of Texas Professional Educators.

I have been a member of this organization for 11 years.  I joined because I believe that it is important to be a part of an organization.  I always knew that ATPE had lots of benefits such as offering up to $8 million dollars in professional liability insurance, lots of discounts (for hotels and other fun activities) and is member run.

So, I paid my dues every year and knew I was covered.. but then I attended ATPE Summit and I realized how much more ATPE does for me as an educator.  This year I also am taking on more at the local level as I am now the Vice President of Irving ATPE.

I checked in a day early because I was honored to be one of the 3 finalists for the Elementary ATPE Teacher of the Year (I even had a chance to meet up with @classroom_tech and his lovely wife!).  The first day had an awesome opening keynote Edward James Olmos and then breakout sessions.  I of course hit up the technology ones and was not disappointed with Lori Gracey! I also had a chance to listen to Dr. Ruby Payne and Anne Grady  It was a great day of learning (and hanging out with my Irving friends)  The second day was a chance for me to learn more about my role as the Vice President of our local unit.  I also did a little bit of virtual work for Podstock this day.  The first 2 days were great days of learning, but it was Friday that impressed me the most!

So, as I have mentioned ATPE is member run and it also offers supports to teacher, principals, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, janitors, paraprofessionals, and substitutes.  Friday was the House of Delegates.

• ATPE members are represented at the Texas State Capitol and state agencies by an experienced team of professional lobbyists that includes former legislative staffers and a former state senator. ATPE also advocates on your behalf at the federal level on issues such as Social Security and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind).("ATPE Benefits website)

How powerful to sit in the audience, vote for different items brought to the table and have a VOICE!  It was so smoothly run, people had a chance to argue for or against topics and share their stories.  As I watched it made me realize how happy I am to be a part of an organization that really supports educators, because it is run by educators.

I look forward to growing in the Irving ATPE, and who knows... I might just start to run for higher positions.

Thanks ATPE Region 18 for all the goodies

Getting ready for the keynote

Robin and I at the banquet

Julie went with me on a photowalk!  I was participating in the #podstockphotowalk virtually

Before the banquet with Doug Rogers and Robin