2014
ATPE tips for gifting your child's teacher this holiday
December 10, 2014: Showing a teacher appreciation through a holiday gift is a traditional gesture, but what gifts are appropriate and which ones cross the line?
Palmer ATPE as Local Unit of the Year
September 19, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce Palmer ATPE as the winner of the 2014 Local Unit of the Year for units with less than 200 members. In recognition of this honor, local unit president Gina Godding was recently presented with a $1,000 check at the 2014 ATPE Summit Awards Banquet held at the Austin Convention Center.
Educators to host golf tournament supporting literacy
September 19, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation is hosting a four person scramble Golf Tournament to support literacy, technology and educator recruitment and retention initiatives throughout the state.
SBOE votes in favor of teacher quality
September 19, 2014: Today the State Board of Education (SBOE) sided with the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) and voted 12-3 to reject a State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rule that establishes minimum qualifications for entrance into the teaching profession.
Texas School Funding System Declared Unconstitutional
August 28, 2014: Today Travis County District Judge John Dietz issued a ruling declaring that the way Texas funds its public schools is unconstitutional.
Irving ISD principal awarded $5,000 as Admin. of the Year
August 27, 2014: Lamar Middle School Assistant Principal Karen McCoskey was recently honored with the ATPE Administrator of the Year award.
Birdville ISD teacher awarded $5,000 as Educator of the Year
August 27, 2014: Academy at Thomas Elementary music specialist Elizabeth Shier was recently honored with the ATPE Elementary Teacher of the Year award.
La Joya ISD teacher awarded $5,000 as Associate of the Year
August 27, 2014: Trevino Middle School substitute teacher Hilda Martinez was recently honored with the ATPE Associate of the Year award.
Two Irving ISD educators awarded $5,000 as Educators of the Year
August 27, 2014: Two Irving ISD educators were recently honored with ATPE Educator of the Year Awards.
SAISD employee group withdraws grievance appeal to Commissioner
August 22, 2014: Today the San Antonio ISD affiliate of the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) withdrew an appeal to the Commissioner of Education to force the district to change one of its most contentious employee policies.
Statewide teacher survey yields insight despite first-year obstacles
August 20, 2014: According to a recent poll, 81 percent of Texas teachers surveyed say they strongly agree that their school is a good place to work and learn. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced results of the first Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning (TELL) Texas Survey today.
State’s largest educator association disappointed in SBEC decision to maintain low GPA requirement
August 14, 2014: At its meeting on Friday, Aug. 1, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) voted against raising the minimum GPA requirement for entrance into an educator preparation program from 2.5 to 2.75.
Local history teacher becomes ATPE state vice president
August 14, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce Cory Colby, a Willis High School advanced placement and dual credit government teacher, as the new state vice president of the organization.
Special education teacher is new ATPE state president
August 14, 2014: ATPE recently elected 12-year-member Richard Wiggins as the 2014-15 state president. Wiggins, a special education department chair for Boerne ISD, will represent the organization and more than 100,000 Texas public school educators who are members.
Texas educators praise Van de Putte’s education policy rollout
August 5, 2014: The following is a statement from ATPE State President Richard Wiggins regarding the proposals outlined by Sen. Van de Putte.
Educator group files brief to support teacher rights in Dallas
August 5, 2014: ATPE filed a brief in Dallas County District Court, Monday, Aug. 4, in an effort to protect the contract rights of all Texas educators.
ATPE applauds commissioner appointing board of managers
July 15, 2014: The following is a brief statement from the president of the Beaumont local unit of the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) regarding the decision to appoint a board of managers for Beaumont ISD.
Texas gubernatorial candidates to roll out education platforms Thursday
July 8, 2014: Three candidates for governor and lieutenant governor will address more than 900 public school employees about important education issues Thursday, July 10, at the Austin Convention Center during the annual conference of the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE), the 2014 ATPE Summit.
ATPE hires new communications director
July 2, 2014: ATPE is pleased to announce and welcome Elaine Acker as the Communications Director for the association. Acker will supervise a talented team of writers, designers and multi-media production artists as they support the ATPE mission to serve as a powerful voice for Texas educators.
Judge rules against Beaumont ISD
June 20, 2014: The following is a statement from the Beaumont president of the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) regarding the decision from Judge Stephen Yelenosky to deny Beaumont ISD a temporary restraining order against the Texas Education Agency.
Four Texas universities top-ranked for teacher preparation programs
June 18, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) congratulates Dallas Baptist University for being named the top-ranked program in the country for preparation of elementary school teachers by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ).
Beaumont ATPE applauds TEA ruling
June 16, 2014: The following is a brief statement from the Beaumont president of the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) regarding the recent ruling by the Texas Education Agency.
Education quality to suffer in BISD as district announces more than 200 layoffs
June 9, 2014: Although disappointment regarding the mismanagement and criminal activity that led to the current Beaumont ISD crisis should certainly be expressed, ATPE is first and foremost concerned for the students who will end up paying the ultimate price thanks to the recent decision by the district to cut more than 200 positions.
Local journalist wins Alafair Hammett Media Award
June 6, 2014: ATPE selects Jennifer Radcliffe of the Houston Chronicle.
Local journalist first two-time Alafair Hammett Media Award winner
June 6, 2014: ATPE selects Gary Long of the Brownsville Herald.
Local journalist wins Alafair Hammett Media Award
June 6, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) recently selected a Waco Tribune-Herald journalist to receive an award for her excellent news coverage on public education.
State’s largest teacher group appalled by 300 potential layoffs
May 30, 2014: ATPE wants BISD trustees to accept commissioner decision.
Birdville ISD teacher finalist for $5,000 award
May 23, 2014: ATPE to announce Educator of the Year in July.
Two La Joya ISD educators finalists for $5,000 award
May 23, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce that two La Joya ISD employees are finalists for one of five ATPE Educator of the Year awards.
Round Rock ISD teacher finalist for $5,000 award
May 23, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce that Hernandez Middle School Reading Specialist Stephanie Stoebe is one of three finalists for the ATPE Secondary Teacher of the Year award.
Two Fort Worth ISD educators finalists for $5,000 award
May 23, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce that two Fort Worth ISD employees are finalists for ATPE Educator of the Year awards.
Jasper ISD teacher finalist for $5,000 award
May 23, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce that Parnell Elementary third grade teacher Rebecca Dougharty is one of three finalists for the ATPE Elementary Educator of the Year award.
Two Denton ISD educators finalists for $5,000 award
May 23, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce that two Denton ISD employees are finalists for the ATPE Educator of the Year awards.
Corpus Christi ISD teacher finalist for $5,000 award
May 23, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) is proud to announce that Cesaria Germain, senior executive administrative assistant to the assistant superintendent in Corpus Christi ISD, is one of three finalists for the ATPE Associate Educator of the Year award.
State’s largest educator group rebrands, unveils new website
May 15, 2014: ATPE gets new look and feel, offers same quality protection and support.
Low response rate to teacher survey in San Antonio
May 8, 2014: TELL Texas, the first statewide survey of educators ever mandated by the Texas Legislature, opened last month, but many San Antonio teachers have not participated. The survey gives educators an opportunity to weigh in on important issues on their campuses.
State’s largest educator group challenges SAISD policy
May 8, 2014: San Antonio ISD trustees are set to hear a grievance Monday that could change how SAISD consults with employees on salaries, benefits and working conditions. The grievance, filed by the SAISD chapter of ATPE, challenges a 32-year-old injunction which prohibits the district from making changes to its employee consultation policy.
ATPE thanks local teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7, 2014: Today, the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) thanked local teachers for their dedication to educating Texas students.
New proposed teacher evaluation system raises concerns
May 6, 2014: ATPE has concerns about plans for a new teacher evaluation system recently announced by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Under the new plan, a small percentage of teachers - those who teach certain subjects and grades for which there are state standardized tests - would be evaluated in part using student test scores.
Parents wanted: The best gift for Teacher Appreciation Week
May 2, 2014: ATPE encourages parent and students to thank a teacher May 5-9.
Academy at West Birdville wins $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant
April 28, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation would like to recognize Academy at West Birdville for winning a $1,500 literacy grant.
Brookline Elementary wins $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant
April 28, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation Director Loree LeBoeuf recently made a special presentation to Brookline Elementary recognizing the school for winning a $1,500 literacy grant.
Bayles Elementary wins $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant
April 28, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation is recognizing Bayles Elementary for winning a $1,500 literacy grant from the foundation.
Barrick Elementary wins $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant
April 28, 2014: Barrick Elementary wins $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant.
Carroll Elementary awarded $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant
April 28, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation would like to recognize Carroll Elementary for winning a $1,500 literacy grant.
Bane Elementary awarded $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant
April 28, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation would like to recognize Bane Elementary School for winning a $1,500 literacy grant.
Terrell Elementary awarded $1,500 ATPE Foundation literacy grant
April 28, 2014: The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Foundation would like to recognize Terrell Elementary for winning a $1,500 literacy grant.
Educators should not fear backlash for taking teacher survey
April 10, 2014: TELL Texas, the first statewide survey of educators ever mandated by the Texas Legislature opened Monday. Although more than 24,000 educators have already participated in the survey, some teachers have expressed their concerns about possible repercussions from their administrators.
Educators: Get ready to TELL Texas about your school!
April 4, 2014: The TELL (Teaching Empowering Leading and Learning) Texas survey is the first statewide survey of educators mandated by the Texas Legislature. For many years, the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has urged the state to conduct such a survey in order to focus attention on the factors that affect both teacher retention and student success.
ATPE hosts 'Shoot for the STAARs Education Day'
March 11, 2014: Texas elementary school students are tested in core subject areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies through the STAAR exams. In order to help Houston-area students in grades 3-5 prepare for their upcoming tests, the Texas Southern University (TSU) chapter of ATPE is hosting a free event Saturday, March 15.
ATPE stresses the importance of teachers voting their profession
February 27, 2014: Newly appointed ATPE Executive Director Gary Godsey will address ATPE members at TAMUCT.
House District 10 candidates to speak face-to-face with educators at ATPE Education Forum
February 13, 2014: The largest educator association in Texas is hosting a forum Feb. 20 for the four candidates vying to replace retiring State Representative Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie). Pitts served the last three terms as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and was one of the strongest allies of Speaker of the House Rep. Joe Straus (R-San Antonio).