ATPE is proud to bring you this series of posts from our staff members. Today’s post features Executive Assistant Amy Dodd.

What drew you to working at ATPE?
Before coming to work for ATPE, I was the administrative assistant in the Central Division office for AVID. The decision was made to move the AVID office from Austin to Dallas, and that was not a move I wanted to make. I had two small children at the time (I now have three), and my entire support system was in the Austin area. That is when my job hunt began! I really wanted to stay in the educational nonprofit world, and I was very excited when I found the job opening at ATPE! It makes me proud to work for an organization that makes a difference in the lives of my children and all the children in Texas.

How long have you been working at ATPE? What was your first job here?
I have been working as the executive assistant at ATPE for just over two years.

What is the most important thing you have learned while working here?
Parliamentary procedure! In my role as executive assistant, one of my tasks is to take the minutes during board meetings and during the annual House of Delegates meeting. Knowing parliamentary procedure is very helpful when taking meeting minutes. One of the first things I purchased after coming to ATPE is a book called Robert’s Rules for Dummies. That book has been very helpful, and I refer to it often. I am no parliamentarian, but I have learned a great deal in my first two years here.

What is your favorite part of working at ATPE?
My favorite part of working at ATPE is meeting all of the different people from across the state. At AVID, I worked with teachers in the central United States, outside of Texas. It has been really fun for me to work with teachers in my home state. Plus, my oldest child started kindergarten last year, and it was really helpful for me to talk to teachers about what to expect, and get the inside scoop, so to speak. I’m still new to this whole school parent thing, and a lot has changed since I was in school! You should have seen me trying to read my daughter’s first report card!

I also have to mention that my favorite event at ATPE is the annual summit! I worked at conferences during my time at AVID, but my role was small. At summit, not only do I have a big role in the planning of the event, but I also have the opportunity to observe the House of Delegates meeting from the stage! It is really interesting to watch decisions being made on the business of the association from that vantage point.

Share something fun about yourself that members might not know.
I’m a fifth-generation Austinite and a second-generation University of Texas graduate! I was actually a member of the Longhorn Band during my first two years at UT and was in the stadium when UT won the first Big XII championship! I played the marching French horn, called a mellophone. I am also an avid crafter. My great grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 10, and my grandmother has recently been teaching me to sew! I love searching Pinterest for new projects to make with my children, and I spend my few free minutes each night after they go to sleep working on one thing or another. Remember those pom-poms on the tables at the Summit Awards Banquet? Yep, I made those!