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 ATPE News series, we’ll spotlight volunteers who set a great example of service to their fellow educators. First up: Roya Dinbali, a high school forensics teacher, Nacogdoches ATPE president and campus rep, and Region 7 ATPE officer.

Why volunteer for ATPE? 

“I like that we are protecting educators,” Roya says. “Some educators don’t think that they need to be protected. So, when you finally persuade them they need to be protected, you know they at least have that avenue. If they don’t know what to do, they can call somebody and say, ‘Hey I need some help.’”  

Roya also wants to build a community of educators who can turn to one another for help and support. She works to create events and gatherings for ATPE members that focus on building that camaraderie.  

“It’s nice to have somebody who knows what you are going through—to have somebody to lean on. When you have a bad day, you can reach out and talk to somebody. We check in on each other. I think when people see that, they are going to want to join ATPE.”  

“Stop me before I volunteer again.” 

In addition to her ATPE volunteer roles, Roya also volunteers for a variety of other school and community organizations. She serves as a co-adviser for National Honor Society and is on the School Health Advisory Council. Roya is also an officer for the American Association of University Women, a board member of the local humane society, and a volunteer for the community emergency response team. She also teaches CPR. 

“I am the person who cannot say no. I have a sticker that says ‘Stop me before I volunteer again.’” 

Advice for other ATPE volunteers 

“Persistence, persistence, persistence.  

You may think a person is never going to join, but then five years later, they actually join.” 

With the high turnover seen in schools these days, Roya admits recruiting new members can sometimes be frustrating. That’s when she returns to her top motivation for spreading the word about ATPE: “I just don’t want to see an educator not protected.”  

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