The thousands of ATPE volunteers across Texas are the backbone of this association. Their hard work and dedication allow ATPE to serve the state’s largest community of educators. In this ongoing ATPE News series, we spotlight volunteers who set a great example of service to their fellow educators. NEXT UP: Sherry Boyd, a fourth grade reading teacher and president of Region 16 and Spearman ATPE. 

Educators Using Their Voice 

ATPE’s initial appeal for Boyd was the platform it offered educators to come together to use their voice.  

“I am enthralled with the whole concept of the association since it is governed by members and not people who are from out of state or removed from the classroom,” Boyd explains. “It is actually the people in the trenches. That’s what attracted me at first. Knowing that there is someone standing up for us, that’s the big attraction.” 

Boyd has lent her voice to ATPE advocacy efforts, even volunteering to testify at hearings in the Texas Senate. The experience made her realize how ATPE helps educators have a bigger impact together, something she tries to emphasize to her colleagues.    

“A lot of younger teachers come in with an attitude that ‘nothing is going to happen to me. I don’t need an association. My voice doesn’t count.’ But we never know what is going to happen and what is going to be thrown at us or forced on us. If we don’t stand up and use our voice, we’re in trouble. When we come together to bring our concerns to our ATPE Governmental Relations team, they will carry those concerns on. Then we have access to our legislators. Then we have a voice.” 

Recruiting in a Rural District 

Like many ATPE volunteers, Boyd says the pandemic restrictions that limited in-person gatherings and on-campus visits made it more difficult to recruit new members. However, this only added to the challenges she already faced in a rural West Texas district where campuses and school districts are spread far apart.  

Fortunately, Boyd has found success using specific tactics to overcome these challenges—tactics that could help not only other rural leaders but also leaders in larger districts. She begins on a small scale with an attainable goal.  

“My advice is just to choose one school district or two and try to reach out to somebody. Start with the superintendent, and ask permission to come on campus, if possible, to set up a table and share news about ATPE. Even if you recruit just one person, that is one more than you had. That person could become your member at-large and possibly down the line become a campus rep. When they become educated about ATPE and learn about it, maybe they can light the fire in somebody else. That’s what we have had to do.” 

Most importantly, Boyd stresses that perseverance is the key to success.  

“Just don’t give up, keep talking to people,” Boyd says. “One of our officers, I just kept encouraging her to come to a meeting. I said, ‘I really need a secretary. Would you be our secretary?’ Eventually, she agreed to give it a try. She is still our secretary. Don’t give up; I haven’t given up yet.”  

Interested in becoming an ATPE volunteer? Reach out to ATPE Volunteer Program Coordinator Anna Belle Burleson at volunteer@atpe.org for details.