July 18, 2018

ATPE announces the selection of Shannon Holmes, current superintendent of Hardin-Jefferson ISD, to lead the association’s state office, effective Sept. 4

The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has selected Shannon Holmes, who holds a doctorate in education, to serve as its new executive director, effective Sept. 4. Holmes’s selection was voted on and approved by the ATPE Board of Directors after a nationwide search by a committee of ATPE stakeholders.

Holmes brings to ATPE—the largest independent educators’ association in Texas—20 years of experience with Texas public schools, a long history of involvement with public education organizations, a strong background in business and finance, and proven engagement with issues facing public education in Texas.

Holmes has served as superintendent of the Hardin-Jefferson Independent School District (HJISD), a 4A school district based in Sour Lake, Texas, since 2005. As superintendent, Holmes provided HJISD with “educational leadership… [and oversaw] curriculum and instruction, campus administration, financial management, grants, special services, athletics, personnel and noninstructional operations.” He facilitated the education of 2,400 students and the management of 334 staff members.

Holmes has testified before the Texas State Senate and House of Representatives on a variety of topics relating to public education. He currently serves as chair of the 2018-19 Legislative Council for the University Interscholastic League (UIL). He is also involved in several committees with the Texas Association of School Administrators, a professional association for education administrators.

In addition, Holmes is knowledgeable in the fields of business and finance. He worked for several years as an auditor and accountant of local school districts and nonprofit organizations, and then later as the director of business services for West Orange-Cove CISD in Orange, Texas.

“Dr. Holmes—with his many years of public education experience—displays a heart for students, teachers and parents to ensure Texas school children receive the highest quality instruction and opportunities that our schools can offer,” said Carl Garner, Jr., 2017-18 ATPE State President, who served on the selection committee. “His wide range of knowledge, skills and experience made him the perfect fit for the ATPE executive director position. He believes in leading by building relationships and empowering others, and we are sincerely looking forward to working with him to advance ATPE and its mission.”

Holmes replaces ATPE’s previous executive director, Gary G. Godsey, who announced his retirement after nearly five years of service in March of this year. Holmes will be moving to Austin with his wife and two sons.

About the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)
ATPE has been a strong voice for Texas educators since 1980. It is the leading educators’ association in Texas with approximately 100,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, future, retired and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for Texas’s five million public school students. ATPE is the ally and the voice of Texas public education. Learn more about ATPE at atpe.org.