State Officers
The ATPE House of Delegates elects four state officers annually: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Along with the immediate past state president, these working educators form ATPE’s Executive Committee.
Karen Hames
State President
Region 11
Lewisville ATPE
Karen Hames, M. Ed., currently teaches eighth grade ELAR in Lewisville ISD. Described by her principal as “an anchor, a leader, a mentor and caretaker to others,” Karen serves as ATPE state president as well as local unit past president and campus representative. She values continued learning and regularly teaches classes for other educators. In her spare time, Karen enjoys cooking, riding her Harley-Davidson, and travel.
Stacey Ward
State Vice President
Region 4
Humble ATPE
Stacey Ward teaches science and social studies at Timbers Elementary in Humble ISD. She currently serves as ATPE state vice president and campus representative and is a local unit and region past president. She has been described as “a champion for teacher and student rights” and isn’t afraid to testify on their behalf. She is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and volunteers for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In her spare time, Stacey enjoys reading, visiting ATPE regions across the state, and playing with her English Bulldogs, Mack and Millie.
Jayne Serna
State Secretary
Region 13
Leander ATPE
Jayne Serna teaches U.S. history survey courses at Austin Community College. She taught secondary English and social studies for 29 years, is a James Madison Memorial Fellow, and is a long-time Advanced Placement U.S. History Rater. She has been involved in local government issues and founded a nonprofit organization that serves children in her community. The current ATPE state secretary, Jayne has served in every local and region officer role for ATPE and is currently a campus rep and membership coordinator for her local unit. Jayne earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Angelo State University, a Master of Arts in History from Texas State University, and a Master of Education in Professional School Counseling from Lamar University.
Jason Forbis
State Treasurer
Region 12
Midway (12) ATPE
Jason Forbis is a 24-year education veteran who currently teaches kindergarten in Midway ISD in Region 12. Before he was elected as the 2021-22 ATPE state treasurer, he chaired several ATPE state committees and served in numerous leadership roles in Midway ISD, Waco ISD, and Region 12 ATPE. Outside of ATPE, Jason is a certified pharmacy technician and has coordinated food drives for the Hunger Free MISD program.
Jimmy Lee
Immediate Past State President
Region 8
Paris ATPE
ATPE State President Jimmy Lee is a 34-year education veteran with experience as a principal and assistant principal, football and basketball coach, mentor teacher, and most recently substitute teacher in Millsap ISD. While working in Paris ISD, he was named Region 8 Assistant Principal of the Year. His ATPE service includes roles at the local unit, region, and state levels, and he has been active in numerous political campaigns. Jimmy is the pastor of Soda Springs Baptist Church and has served as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor.