Membership Benefits
Why You Should Join
Texas public school employees deserve the best.
The Association of Texas Professional Educators knows that you have a choice when it comes to joining a professional organization, so thank you for taking time to learn more about how we can support you. ATPE was founded by professional educators just like you and is one of the largest independent educators’ associations in the United States with nearly 90,000 members across the state of Texas! More Texas educators choose ATPE than any other educator organization.
This means we can negotiate the best rates with the most comprehensive (and superior) protection benefits*. Keep more of your hard-earned money while ATPE provides you unwavering support.
*ATPE professional liability insurance coverage details
What do you get for your membership dues?
Access to a top-notch legal team
If you are working with students, you need protection that you can count on. We provide access to a team of staff attorneys who may provide eligible members with quick, confidential assistance with employment-related legal concerns at no additional cost.** You can arrange an after-hours call if it’s inconvenient to speak during regular business hours. We also provide a statewide network of law firms who know Texas education law.
Employment Rights Protection Insurance
You pour your heart into your profession; let ATPE help you protect the investment you’ve made in your career. No other association can match our coverage:
- Up to $8 million in professional liability insurance subject to policy limits.*
- Extensive employment rights defense insurance, which can help pay defense costs for dismissal claims, salary disputes, etc. And those benefits are guaranteed, whether you win or lose.*
- Predictable insurance-based coverage you can count on, not merely a “defense fund.”
Learn more about ATPE’s legal benefits.
A Voice at the Capitol
ATPE has a respected voice at the Capitol in both Austin and Washington, D.C. Our professional lobbyists advocate for a legislative program focused solely on education issues and written and approved by ATPE members annually. ATPE’s advocacy website, TeachtheVote.org, has received more than 1.1 million visits in the past decade from voters seeking information about candidates’ stances on public education issues. We also make it easy to stay engaged:
- Connect with legislators through ATPE’s Advocacy Central.
- Connect with our lobby team on Twitter.
- Attend our biennial ATPE at the Capitol event and receive political involvement training.
Learn more about ATPE advocacy.
Outstanding resources, discounts, and leadership opportunities
No other organization supports Texas public school educators like ATPE. ATPE’s resources are reviewed and improved by members every year to make sure we’re giving educators what they need, including:
- 24/7 access to valuable professional development courses and more than 180 on-demand continuing professional education (CPE) courses, plus a broad spectrum of information to foster your growth as an educator.
- The latest education news and trends via atpe.org, e-newsletters and the award-winning ATPE News magazine.
- Professional classroom materials and support.
Learn more about ATPE resources.
Enjoy ATPE’s services and discounts on theme park tickets, hotels, car rentals, prescription drugs, health and lifestyle benefits, and more. Take advantage of opportunities to plan for your future with supplemental insurance products and to save on professional real estate services.
See how ATPE members can save more than $1,300 a year on average.
And, ATPE’s volunteer leaders are the lifeblood of our association. Interested members have opportunities to train and serve as campus representatives, as well as local, region, or state officers. Other members serve on statewide committees or attend ATPE’s annual House of Delegates meeting to help shape ATPE’s future.
What else should you know about us?
We’re inclusive—we believe that it takes everyone working together to give Texas’ kids the best education possible. ATPE membership is open to everyone who works in public schools, including teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, school nurses, secretaries, school bus drivers, and more.
We’re member-governed—which means our dues, legislative programs, resources, and protection programs are directed by working educators just like you. Also, 100% of your membership dues stay right here in Texas, where you live and work. We serve Texas professional educators exclusively.
The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) supports the state’s largest community of educators who are dedicated to elevating public education in Texas. Our mission is to advocate for you and deliver affordable, high-quality products and services that our members the peace of mind they need to inspire student success. In each and every thing we do, we put Texas educators first.
*THE EDUCATORS PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY IS UNDERWRITTEN BY NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE CO. OF PITTSBURGH, PA. ALL COVERAGE IS SUBJECT TO THE EXPRESS TERMS OF THE MASTER INSURANCE POLICY ISSUED TO ATPE AND KEPT ON FILE AT THE ATPE STATE OFFICE. Coverage applies to an insured’s activities within his/her professional capacity and does not apply to activities that predate the coverage period. View insurance policy details here. Eligibility for ATPE membership benefits is contingent upon ATPE’s receipt of the annual membership dues amount for your appropriate membership category. A disruption in payments to an authorized payment plan may result in discontinuation of such benefits, including cancellation of insurance coverage for the entire membership year retroactive to August 1 or your membership date. ATPE reserves the right to determine eligibility for the appropriate membership category. The membership year runs from August 1–July 31.
**Staff attorney services are provided separate from the Educators Professional Liability Insurance Program.
