Your Voice

By: Kate Kuhlmann, ATPE Lobbyist


Beginning in January, your ATPE lobby team will be working around the clock at the Capitol on your behalf. We will meet with legislators to share what is happening in your local schools, testify about how bills affect your students and classrooms, fight for laws that value your profession, join coalitions to push for necessary funding increases, and combat bad policy proposals that threaten your schools and rights. We will proudly do this while you do the important work of educating Texas schoolchildren.
 
Unfortunately, that won’t be enough, so we need your help!
 
Legislators want to hear directly from you. They want to know that what we are saying is backed up by the educators in their district. We fight for you every day, but your voice is still crucial.
 
ATPE offers several easy and efficient ways to help you stay informed and connected during the legislative session. Ready to get to work in January? Here is your checklist as you prepare to be an advocate for public education.
 
Get acquainted with Advocacy Central
 
Advocacy Central makes it easy for ATPE members to engage with legislators on important issues. It is a one-stop shop that allows you to learn about top education issues, track bills, and connect with your elected officials. The tool offers background information plus sample emails, tweets, and phone scripts you can use to quickly engage with the officeholders who represent you. Visit atpe.org/advocacy-central to get acquainted before the session. Make sure you sign up for alerts and download the app directly to your phone!
 
Attend ATPE at the Capitol
 
ATPE at the Capitol, happening Feb. 24–25, 2019, is our political involvement training and lobby day event. This event gives ATPE members an opportunity to learn about high-profile issues being debated at the Capitol, hear directly from policymakers, learn advocacy tips from the ATPE lobby team, network with ATPE members from your area, and meet with your own legislators to share concerns and input. There is no registration fee, and travel incentive funds are available for certain eligible ATPE local units and members. Mark your calendars for this fun event in Austin, and register today at Advocacy Central!
 

Subscribe to news updates from Teach the Vote
 
Teach the Vote is not just an election tool; it is a website broadly dedicated to education advocacy. The Teach the Vote blog provides the latest updates on education news, including almost daily updates of happenings at the Capitol during the legislative session. A variety of contributors, including ATPE lobbyists, staff members, and the occasional guest, keep you informed and entertained. During legislative sessions, the site also offers a library of resources and features officeholder profiles that allow you to find information on all elected state legislators, State Board of Education members, the lieutenant governor, and the governor. Visit teachthevote.org to learn more, and make sure you are signed up to receive our weekly recap by email.
 
Follow the ATPE lobby team on Twitter
 
For real-time updates on what is happening inside the Capitol, follow your ATPE lobbyists and Teach the Vote on Twitter. We tweet live updates from committee hearings and floor proceedings, share relevant news stories, spread information from fellow advocates, and even throw in a little fun now and then. Follow @TeachtheVote, @ATPE_MontyE, @ATPE_KateK, @ATPE_JenniferM, and @MarkWigginsTX for timely legislative updates.   
 

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