As teacher recruitment and retention issues continue in districts all over Texas, the teacher preparation landscape has changed significantly in response. Many new teachers are transitioning from other careers, and we have seen numerous pathways for certification evolve to better fill growing vacancies. In turn, the rush to certify educators—and do so quickly—has created a bit of a gap between what early educators need and what they are getting.

If we want new educators to succeed and see the teaching profession as a sustainable career, perhaps the answer lies less in recruiting and more in retention. As the leading educator association in Texas, ATPE advocates for teachers both at the Capitol in August and in Washington, D.C., as well as with state agencies and regulatory boards such as the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). As a founding member of the Texas Coalition for Educator Preparation (TCEP), we are working to ensure that teacher candidates coming through the pipeline are being assessed fairly across the board.

Research shows that engagement with professional organizations is key for retaining quality teachers, but what exactly do new teachers want and need from an educator association? And what support and/or resources does ATPE provide to address both the changes to the teacher preparation landscape and the issue of growing vacancies across the state?

In this episode of The ATPE Podcast, three ATPE staff members who are all former educators—Engagement & Learning Specialist Andrea Hutlock, Lobbyist Tricia Cave, and Membership Specialist Dr. Cynthia Villalovos—discuss the role of professional educator associations in addressing recruitment and retention issues in Texas.

Following a disappointing Texas primary election in March, it appears the Texas House will be far less friendly to public education going forward. Some of these races have been tight, and in such a unique election season, we have seen millions of dollars poured in from out-of-state donors to spread anti-public education propaganda. Originally attracted to Texas races as voucher proponents, these non-Texans continue to run attack ad after attack ad against public education-friendly candidates on issues completely unrelated to public schools.

You’ve heard that voter turnout is the key to getting legislators to listen and take education issues seriously, so the maxim “You must be present to win” legitimately describes our situation in the May 28 runoff election. Educators need to consistently show up at the polls not just to support our candidates but also to send a message to lawmakers that our schools and educators deserve better funding and compensation, respectively.

So where can you find information on races and candidates in your area? And who can vote in which primary runoff race?

In this episode of The ATPE Podcast, ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter explains the how, when, and why of voting pro-public ed in the upcoming runoff election.

You might be asking yourself, “Didn’t I just vote in March?” Well, we hope the answer to that question is yes, but public education is always on the ballot, and there are two more elections in the month of May that are just as important for Texas educators.

Early voting for the May 4 election runs from April 22–30, and depending on where you live, you might have a school board trustee, bond, and/or an appraisal district board election on your ballot.

Bond dollars finance maintenance, new buildings, sports stadiums, technology, and more. This can be especially important for school staff, too, because you don’t want to work in a building without proper air conditioning or heat. Contrary to popular belief, bond money does not pay teacher salaries, but school board trustees do make decisions regarding teacher pay, as well as approving curriculum and district policy.

Some of you will also have a primary runoff election May 28, and early voting for this will run May 20–24. And in this race, many of our pro-public education legislators will need your support.

With the huge impact that bond, appraisal, and school board trustee elections can have on our public schools, what more do you need to know, and what resources are available to prepare you for these elections?

In this episode of The ATPE Podcast, ATPE’s newest lobbyist Heather Sheffield discusses the upcoming May elections—specifically, the difference between school board and bond elections and why they matter for Texas educators.