special events

Pat Johns and Rep. Rob Eissler

Global adventurer, photographer, athlete and journalist Pat Johns spoke to the ATPE crowd during the Opening General Session Friday. He gave the audience an introduction to his “Five C’s” philosophy—getting out of your comfort zone, practicing commitment, making connections, having common sense and showing compassion—and explained how following these steps and stretching to expand one’s horizons can cause big changes for the better. “Our brains are inundated with 400 billion bits of information,” Johns said, “and we can only process 2,000 at a time.” He assured the audience that making a conscious effort to notice or understand a new bit of information can change your life in unimaginable ways.

During his presentation, he spoke on his feats as an athlete: He’s run more than 60 marathons and competed four times in the grueling Himalayan 100 race, a high-altitude multi-stage run. He shared photos of the indigenous peoples along the India-Nepal border (where the Himalayan 100 takes place) as well as portraits of the people he’s met while running and traveling around the world. His photographic print giveaway and book sales in the Exhibit Hall were also a huge success.

Rep. Rob Eissler (R–The Woodlands) spoke to the HOD Friday afternoon and expressed his support for Texas public education and educators.

raising money to raise awareness

ATPE-PAC donations reach great heights

Due to the success of both a live and silent auction, the ATPE Political Action Committee (ATPE-PAC) was able to raise more than $12,000 for future advocacy efforts.

Special thanks to the following auction donors: Individuals Cathy Harbour, Cheryl Drews, David de la Garza, Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly, Kathleen Chance, Kim Kriegel, Merry Creager, Richard Wiggins, Ronda Hollingsworth, Sandra Patterson, Sherry Fowler, Steve and Diane Pokluda, Tammy VosWinnked, Tina Briones; Local units Dayton ATPE, Edinburg ATPE and Mario Hernandez, Jacksboro ATPE, Lumberton ATPE; Regions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (Andrews and Odessa ATPEs), 19 and 20; and the ATPE Board of Directors.
  

A round of applause for your 2008-09 ATPE state officers (from left): Vice President Sam Spurlock, Olney; President Jerry Bonham, Mesquite; Past President Sue Melton, West; Treasurer Cheryl Buchanan, Ballinger; and Secretary David de la Garza, Northside (20).

getting down to business

Voting delegates from around the state met during the 28th annual gathering of the ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) Friday and Saturday during the convention. Five state officers, 20 past state presidents, 102 region delegates and 767 local unit delegates made up the 894 members who met to discuss an ATPE State Bylaws amendment, ATPE’s current and standing resolutions, main motions and the ATPE Legislative Program.

Increased dues amount passed

Bylaws Committee Chairman Randall Iglehart presented the rationale for the only amendment before the 2008 House of Delegates: an increase in state dues for professional and associate members. Delegates discussed both sides of the amendment, bringing up cons such as the increase in gas prices and the poor economy in recent times, and pros such as sustaining the many things that make ATPE the preeminent educators’ association in Texas. A majority of delegates agreed with the need to look toward the future, so the amendment was passed. Effective for the 2008-09 membership year, professional dues will be $145 annually and associate dues $70 annually.

ATPE Legislative Program

The HOD adopted the 2008-09 ATPE Legislative Program, as recommended by the Legislative Committee, with a few amendments. The legislative program is a document that states the association’s legislative priorities and guides ATPE Gov-ernmental Relations in its advocacy efforts. The HOD:

• Amended ATPE’s position stating a recommended minimum age for kindergarten. ATPE now recommends that incoming kindergarteners should be at least 5 years old as of July 1.
• Added language on testing that reads “[ATPE recommends that the state] support a set schedule for releasing implemented TAKS and end-of-course assessments in even-numbered years.”
• Amended ATPE’s position on performance-based decisions to oppose use of all student test scores, rather than just individual test scores, as measures of educator effectiveness.

The full program can be read at www.atpe.org/Advocacy/LegislativeProgram/
introLegProgram.asp.

Resolutions

Honorary resolutions

The HOD passed three honorary resolutions recognizing Immediate ATPE State Past President Cindy Chapman, former State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) member Adele Quintana, and former SBEC member and board chair Dr. Annette Griffin.

Standing resolutions

The 2008 HOD took the advice of the Resolutions Committee and readopted and amended 11 standing resolutions. No. 3 was amended to add language about communities and working together in a global environment to better reflect the realities faced by today’s students. Removal of the words "establishing procedures" in No. 4 and the addition of "district control" broadened the way ATPE can advocate for inclusive consultation in all district decision-making processes.

Standing resolution No. 2 was amended during the meeting of the HOD. The word "religious" was removed from "religious beliefs" in order to better encompass the many belief systems held by ATPE members and echo the organization’s all-inclusive nature.

Current resolutions

The HOD allowed four 2007-08 resolutions to expire; one was incorporated into the ATPE Legislative Program, while three were proposed as new resolutions. One current resolution was readopted because it was not fully incorporated into the legislative program and remains an issue to be dealt with in the future. The HOD adopted the following 2008-09 Current Resolutions:

RESOLVED, that ATPE supports using educator input whenever the curriculum undergoes revision in order to better meet the needs of all Texas students.

RESOLVED, that ATPE supports legislation that allows students in grades 6–12 who have not demonstrated the ability to read on grade level to take skill-based reading classes that will count toward current graduation requirements for the minimum and recommended plans.

RESOLVED, that ATPE supports implementation and funding of physical education in our schools on all levels.

RESOLVED, that ATPE supports a measure to maintain a safe teaching and learning environment for all students and employees in Texas public schools, including charter schools, by mandating annual comprehensive employee training in Chapter 37, Discipline, of the Texas Education Code (specifically Chapter 37, Removal by Teacher).

RESOLVED, that it be the official policy of ATPE to prohibit local units from using ATPE funds to purchase alcoholic beverages.

RESOLVED, that ATPE shall begin conducting runoff elections for state officer positions 15 minutes after the need for a runoff election is announced.

Other business

ATPE Executive Director Doug Rogers’ contract was renewed by an overwhelming majority of the voting members during the HOD.

our sincere thanks

The 28th Annual ATPE State Convention was a success due in part to the generosity of the following companies and individuals.

Financial sponsors

Affinity Financial Corporation; Bank of America; Brim, Arnett, Robinett, Hanner, Conners & McCormick, P.C.; Bells Promotional Products; Frost Insurance; Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody; HUB International Rigg; Law Offices of Daniel Ortiz; Nationwide Insurance; Oxford Commercial; The Whitley Printing Co.; Travelers Insurance; Trend Offset Printing; and ATPE Regions 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15 and 20

Student and guest participants

James Bowie High School JROTC TX-958, Austin ISD; Jesse Jaynes, Robinson Junior High School, Robinson ISD; Everett Melton; and Joni Reese, Andrews ATPE member

Educator of the Year Committee members

Chairwoman Sandra Konczak, Dale Beard, Peggy Clayton, Doris Corley, Glynis Fletcher, Sheri Merritt and Tommy Reed

Grant for Teaching Excellence Committee members

Chairwoman Meredith Malloy, Tena Alexander, Carie Archer, Peg Leach, Bridget Loffler, Susan Norris and Kay Whitley

Nomination/Election Committee members

Chairwoman Carole Lemonds, Sue Allen, Judy Kutin, Ron LaDuque, Brenda Meadows, Gina Moore and Minne Sanchez

Convention hosts

Region 18, award finalist hospitality room; Regions 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 20, Governmental Relations booth; Regions 3, 4, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 20, Exhibit Hall welcome; and Regions 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 19 and 20, professional development sessions

More ATPE News

Back to top