We hope each quarter to share some matchlight in our little newsletter to inspire and warm your educator hearts this year -- to grow, to change, to enlighten, to inspire others, to seek, to find, and to even ... illuminate a path forward in this now very different "normal."

"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."

--Margaret Fuller

We are here for you, and the fire is always going.

NTCTELA Board 2022-2023

EACH NEWSLETTER WE WILL SPOTLIGHT A DIFFERENT MEMBER OF OUR BOARD -- STAY TUNED!

Meet Christie!

This is Christie's 12th year in education. Currently, she serves as a Special Ed coordinator in Highland Park ISD, and she is so thankful that have the opportunity to advocate for students that can't always speak up for themselves.

When she is not working, Christie loves to spend time with her family. They have seven children, four of which are now married. They also have 4 grandchildren and 3 fur babies. They love to get a cabin in the mountains and get away with as many as possible to enjoy games, campfires, hiking, kayaking, and smores. Other than that, reading and running are Christie's favorite past-times and she most recently completed the Chicago Marathon (*wow!*).

This year, Christie is so excited to be your next NCTCELA president. She is also a member of the Texas Council Administrators of Special Education, the International Literacy Association, and the Council for Exceptional Children.

One of her favorite recent reads is Beautiful Country. She is in fact on a mission to share it with as many people as possible as she loved it that much! Some of Christie's favorite authors also include: Kate DiCamillo, Kristin Harmel, Marie Benedict, Chanel Cleeton, Jennifer Nielsen, Fiona Davis, Katherine Applegate, Kate Moore, Kristin Hannah, Sharon Robinson, Malcolm Gladwell, and Frederick Backman. Currently, she is reading the Night Diary, The Brighter the Light, and The Elephant Whisperer. She likes to do an audiobook, print book, and then adult or professional book at the same time! She's a multitasker!

Please feel free to connect with and get to know Christie Lambert!

See the Save the Date flyer below and stay tuned for more details!

Registration will be available soon - watch your email!

• To see the ATPE legislative presentation at CREST, click here.
• To see ATPE's comprehensive review on the 87th session, click here.
• To find out more about upcoming topics in elections and candidates and their platforms, ATPE provides some great resources here.
  
• To get more information about teacher professional unions or advocacy organizations in Texas, also check out resources from AFT, TSTA, TCTA, and find more links on TASB's website. Many areas also have unions specific to local or regional locations.

To review the pre-filed bills for this current 88th legislative session, this is a great place to start!

We are working on some advocacy resources for our NTCTELA members to help you stay better informed and house them on our updated website. If you'd like to help with the development and research of those resources as a volunteer, send us a message through the website!

**We are not endorsing ATPE over any other teacher advocacy organization -- but they do partner with CREST and also provide a lot of legislative updates for Texas teachers.**

Pick up a moving or impactful read!

YA: Ain't Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin

Personal Reading: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Professional: Teach Like Yourself by Gravity Goldberg

Cool Peeps to Follow!

Cult of Pedagogy by Jennifer Gonzalez, Editor in Chief

Austin Kleon's Blog by artist, Austin Kleon

Pernille Ripp's Blog (from our conference Keynoter, Summer 2021!)

Seth's Blog, by Seth Godin - GREAT mentor texts!

Gravity Goldberg's Resources, Videos, and More!

And join us for our annual conference on June 9, 2023, in Dallas, and check out our updated website!!