ATPE News is the official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators, the largest educator association in Texas. The magazine addresses the most important issues affecting public education in the state. Learn more at ATPE.org.
Issue link: https://atpe.epubxp.com/i/435977
4 | atpe.org atpe news president's message president's message 305 E. Huntland Dr., Suite 300 Austin, TX 78752-3792 (800) 777-ATPE (2873) • (512) 467-0071 atpe.org • atpe@atpe.org ATPE News contains legislative advertising contracted for by Gary G. Godsey, Executive Director, Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E. Huntland Dr., Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78752-3792, representing ATPE. ATPE News (ISSN 0279-6260) is published quarterly in fall, winter, spring and summer. Subscription rates: for members of the association, $3.32 per year (included in membership dues); non-members, $10 per year. Extra copies $1.25 each. Published by the Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E. Huntland Drive, Suite 300, Austin, TX, 78752-3792. Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, Texas and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ATPE News, 305 E. Huntland Dr., #300, Austin, TX, 78752-3792. Advertising rates may be obtained by sending a written request to the above address. Opinions expressed in this publication represent the attitude of the contributor whose name appears with the article and are not necessarily the official policy of ATPE. ATPE reserves the right to refuse advertising contrary to its purpose. Copyright 2014 in USA by the Association of Texas Professional Educators ISSN © ATPE 2014 0279-6260 USPS 578-050 The official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators STATE OFFICERS Richard Wiggins President, Boerne (20) Cory Colby Vice President, Willis (6) Julleen Bottoms Secretary, Corsicana (12) Carl Garner Treasurer, Mesquite (10) Ginger Franks Past President, Pineywoods (7) BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Sweet Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (1) Cesarea Germain Corpus Christi (2) Andy Erdelt Palacios (3) Ron Fitzwater Alvin (4) Bill Moye Warren (5) Judi Thomas Willis (6) Janie Leath Nacogdoches (7) Jimmy Lee Paris (8) Kristi Daws Jacksboro (9) Jackie Davis Garland (10) David Williams Keller (11) Jason Forbis Midway (12) Jayne Serna Leander (13) Tonja Gray Abilene (14) Darlene Kelly Ballinger (15) Dawn Riley Bushland (16) Lynette Ginn Hale Center (17) Bridget Loffler Odessa (18) Socorro Lopez San Elizario (19) Tina Briones San Antonio (20) ATPE STAFF Gary G. Godsey Executive Director Alan Bookman Deputy Executive Director Elaine Acker Marketing & Communications Director ATPE NEWS STAFF Gary G. Godsey Executive Editor Elaine Acker Editor John Kilpper Art Director Leslie Trahan Managing Editor Erica Fos Senior Graphic Designer Jean Schlitzkus Staff Writer/Editor THE TEACHING PROFESSION HAS CHANGED dramatically over the past decade. As you'll see in the "Why Do Teachers Leave?" article in this issue, there are many reasons why teachers are no longer making education a lifelong career. We have hard work ahead as we address the big issues such as school fnance, standardized testing, and salaries. But there are things we can do right now to make a positive diference in the classroom where it matters most to teachers and students. The best thing I've seen recently has been the establishment of professional learning communities where educators work collaboratively to achieve better results for students. We all love our students, but when you're in the classroom with 25–30 students every hour of every day, you're essentially on an island. On my own campus, Boerne Middle School South, Principal Susan Cleveland has taken charge and built a collaborative environment where teachers are working together. As a result, good things are happening for students. Students' transcripts, not their standardized test scores, are the real determiners of their success. Together, in our professional learning community, we're asking four critical questions: • What do students need to know in order to be successful? • How do you know when they know it? • What do you do when they know it? (For example, what types of extended learning opportunities are available?) • What do you do when they don't know it? (What types of responses and interventions might be successful?) This is where teachers' expertise and collaboration come into play. We learn from each other, just as professionals do in every other industry in the country. Doctors train with other doctors; salesmen make calls with other salesmen. It's only natural for teachers to watch other teachers. You want to see what other teachers are doing in the classroom, but even more important, you want to know how students are responding to those teachers. My advice to other campuses interested in establishing professional learning communities is to approach the challenge as though each child were your own. When we get to that level, we've got passion, we've got commitment, and we've got a profession that will be rewarding and meaningful for years to come. Richard Wiggins ATPE State President PHOTO BY JOHN KILPPER