Julleen Bottoms; State President
A child of poverty, raised in the remotest corner of the Texas Hill Country, Lyndon Johnson was one of just five classroom teachers to rise to the office of president of the United States. Little surprise, then, that some of his best advice was delivered in terms even the most hard-headed youngster could easily understand.
If you have been reading about education issues in the legislature, you likely know that there is a multi-pronged attack on public education, including offensives toward again cutting important educator protections and siphoning off resources to non-accountable private schools in the name of “choice.” The final prong is a direct assault on those who defend public education—educator groups like ATPE.
It’s no secret that teachers have a lot to accomplish every day. Integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) into class routines provides students with valuable life skills and can help make learning more efficient.
Just about the time I’m about to grumble over something seemingly foolish my students are doing, I feel an overwhelming sense of conviction. “Are you really any different?” my conscience asks. I am convinced that we teachers are more like our students than we are different. Accepting this humbling truth can help us reframe and approach challenges with a positive attitude.
Chess is teaching Brownsville students valuable life lessons.