Daylight Savings time begins on Sunday, March 12, 2023. At 2:00 a.m., turn your clocks UP one hour from 2:00 to 3:00. The day light hours will be getting longer with Spring arriving.

Texas Education Policy Institute Conference A Major Step Forward in Advancing State Policy and Advocacy

The 2023 TEPI Annual Conference, which was held Saturday, January 28th in Austin, Texas, set a precedent for facilitating effective collaboration between educators, policymakers, researchers, and education advocates to make strides toward improving public education in the state. The Texas Education Policy Institute (TEPI) Annual Conference is a gathering of professionals, advocates, and others connected to the field of education who are committed to improving related policy and practices. The conference is designed to foster collaboration, exchange of ideas, and networking among all who attend with the goal of advancing interest and understanding of public policy and advocacy.

TEPI is dedicated to advancing policy education and this year’s conference did not fall short in doing so. The conference included three panel discussions:

Community Leaders Panel | Moderators: Nicola Gardere and Nitasha Wilder

• Bobby Blount - President Texas Caucus of Black School Board Members

• Dax Gonzales - Division Director Texas Association of School Boards/ Governmental Relations

• Dr. Regina Gardner - Education Chair Greater Pearland Black Leaders Collective

• Honorable Ron Price - Board of Regents, Texas Southern University

Chief of Staff Panel | Moderators Dr. Lakisha Culpepper and Dr. Stephanie Boyce

• LaJuana Barton - Senator Royce West District 23

• Tamoria Jones - Esq - Representative Chairman Harold Dutton, Jr. District 142

State Legislative Panel | Moderators Dr. Darlene Breaux and Dr. Daryl Henson

• Senator Royce West - Senate District 23

• Representative Rhetta Andrews Bowers - Representative District 113

• Representative Ron Reynolds - Representative District 27

A presentation was also given by our Conference Sponsor, Curriculum Associates, in addition to a networking lunch with Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (TALAS). The event ended with a Fireside Chat moderated by Dr. Kimberly McLeod with the following panelists:

• Commissioner Dr. Harrison Keller - Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

• Chairman and Commissioner Bryan Daniel - Representing the Public Texas Workforce Commission

• Commissioner Aaron Demerson - Representing Employers - Texas Workforce Commission

• Commissioner Mike Morath - Texas Education Agency

It is necessary as members of TABSE that we collaborate and work with the intention to enhance and/or change policies and systems that affect the communities in which we live and serve; especially those for our black students. We hope that the ideas and insights shared at this year's conference will promote the call to action to continue in the work of policy and advocacy.

Danielle Twitty - TEPI Fellow

On Thursday, February 9, 2023, HAABSE conducted its 36th annual Teacher Awards and Recognition Ceremony (TARC) to honor campus based "Teachers of the Year" from 21 school districts in and around the Houston area. Approximately 1,300 people were in attendance to help honor the teacher candidates who were vying to be named "HAABSE Teachers of the Year" for elementary and secondary levels. A total of 268 teachers were formally introduced to the audience in anticipation of the naming of the Teachers of the Year at the end of the evening celebration. Dr. Julia Andrews, HAABSE President and Dr. Rhonda Mason HAABSE President-Elect, along with their TARC planning committee coordinated and conducted an outstanding event that was a full capacity affair for candidates and guests.

HAABSE presented scholarships to students for their high school accomplishments and awards to sponsors for their support of HAABSE throughout the years. HAABSE also presented its annual "Living Legend" award for the first time to a non educator. The award was presented to Houston Mayor, Sylvester Turner. Mayor Turner was appreciative of the honor and recounted his support from one of his teachers as he negotiated being moved from one school to another during early integration of schools. He expressed his full support for educators at all levels and saluted them all for their work with students.

The evening concluded with the naming of the HAABSE Teachers of the Year. Those recognitions were bestowed upon Ms Laura Sandling, Elementary Teacher of the Year from Red Elementary School of Houston ISD. Ms Angel Hicks, is the Secondary Teacher of the Year from Christa McAuliffe Middle School of Fort Bend ISD. Congratulations to our winners and all of the outstanding teacher nominees.

Hello TABSE members! My name is John W. Washington. I served TABSE as its 10th president from 2012-14. Let me digress and tell you that I served as the President-Elect under Dr. Elaine Bailey 2010-12. Working under this dynamic leader was truly my training ground for my role as President of TABSE.

I was sworn in at our 2012 conference in San Antonio, and my successor and President-Elect would be Dr. Michael McFarland (see picture of the three of us) Our major goals were to grow our TABSE statewide membership and affiliate growth.

As President I appointed Ms. Phillis Williams as our new Executive Director because we worked in the same district and I capitalize on her business and financial backgrounds. She helped TABSE in negotiating the contract of our largest State Conference to date in February of 2014 at the Gaylord Texan, Grapevine with nearly 1,000 conferees in attendance during a terrible ice storm in North Texas. In attendance were 3 Past NABSE Presidents (Drs. Drayton, Thomas and Hornsby) along with the current sitting President Dr.Bernard Hamilton. We had 7 Past TABSE Presidents in attendance as well (Drs. Drayton, Morrison, Cummins, Dunkins, Thomas, Bailey and Ms. Althea Cooper).

There are several members who took over pertinent roles at that conference who are still doing TABSE Conference roles today. One that I would like to spotlight is our Registration Chairlady Mrs. Valarie Huey who headed her first Conference in 2014 and nine years later she is still doing a magnificent job fine tuning the registration process each year.

I will conclude this article by saying TABSE, as a State Affiliate, under NABSE umbrella is in young dynamic capable hands. We have Past Presidents and Officers to serve on key positions at the National level and continue to be TABSE Stars of the future.

I implore those of you to consider stepping to the plate to work at the executive level to keep this organization viable and moving in a positive direction working for those students that resembles you and I as advocates for their educational welfare.

The 38th Annual TABSE State Conference convened February 15-19, 2023, at the Horseshoe Bay Resort, in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. In excess of 300 conference attendees enjoyed four days of educational excellence through workshops, keynote speakers, school excellence recognitions, award presentations, scholarship presentations, entertainment and professional networking. The conference planning committee worked extremely hard to put on what is perhaps the best ever state conference to date. Congratulations on an outstanding 38th annual TABSE State Conference. Below are pictorial highlights of the conference activities.

The Dr. Elaine Bailey Innovator's Steam Golf Tournament was held on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at the Ram Rock Golf Course which began at 12:00 p.m. Roughly 50 golfers signed up to participate and excellent weather welcomed them to the course. The day was a success for all in attendance and fun was enjoyed by each golfer. Thanks goes out to Basheila Ward and her committee for an outstanding tournament.

The Ribbon Cutting to the Exhibit Area was the first official activity of the conference on Thursday morning. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, conference attendees made their first entrance into the Exhibit area where various vendors displayed their products for educators as well as personal use. Exhibit vendors numbered close to 50 during the four day event.

Educators attending their first TABSE Conference were invited to attend a First Timer's Orientation program. At that time, they were introduced to TABSE officials and given an overview of the conference. Participants were each given a gift bag containing several items which helped welcome them to TABSE. Several participants were fortunate to have the winning tickets to receive a fifty dollar gift card during a raffle. Networking opportunities allowed 1st time educators to meet with representatives from their respective local affiliates during the meeting. TABSE welcomes all of our new members.

Concurrent Workshops were scheduled Thursday through Saturday afternoon for members. Approximately 55 workshops were conducted addressing numerous topics relevant to the needs of TABSE educators. Many sessions were repeated in mornings and afternoons, which allowed participation in different sessions and scheduling by interests and times.

General sessions were conducted on Thursday and Friday featuring keynote speakers. A Founders Luncheon and a Delegate Assembly meeting were other opportunities where large group gatherings occurred during the days. Information presented by talented and distinguished presenters was invigorating and thought provoking. Educators left each session with information that can help them perform their duties when they returned to the education settings which they serve.

Several school districts took part in the Job Fair in an attempt to identify and recruit quality candidates in attendance. Approximately 20 school districts were in attendance to provide information about their districts employment opportunities.

During the evening Inauguration Dinner, a full house audience dined while TABSE business, and awards were presented. Newly elected officers were sworn into office during the evening and other awards and recognitions were presented during the evening.

Dr. Christopher Pichon officially assumed the duties of TABSE President and other newly elected officers included (R - L) Dr. Darwin Spiller, President-Elect, Dianne Shaw, Financial Secretary, Yumesha Mosley, Correspondence Secretary, Carla Windfont, Historian and Dr. Brenda Dearmon, Chaplain. Mr. John Washington, TABSE Past President performed the induction ceremony.

The Awards Gala was hosted on Saturday evening as the closing event of the conference. The theme of the evening was Harlem Renaissance. Statia Paschal and Dr. Darwin Spiller were Mister and Mistress of ceremonies for the evening.

Awarding of the TABSE Educator of the Year titles were announced and winners presented to the audience. Several other awards were presented to members who achieved excellence during the year.

* Teacher of the Year ** Sahar Khoshkar, Plano AABSE

* Assistant Principal of the Year ** Yumesha Mosley, Tyler AABSE

* Principal of the Year ** Dr. Niccole Delestre, Greater Austin ABSE

* School Board member of the Year ** Ty G. Jones

* TABSE Living Legend ** Dr. Mary Thomas

Thank you all who helped to make the 38th Annual TABSE State Conference a tremendous success!

TABSE has completed elections to fill the positions of: President-Elect, Financial Secretary, Correspondence Secretary, Historian and Chaplain. Elections occurred electronically from January until February 18, 2023. The following members were elected and installed at the conclusion of the State Conference. We welcome our new TABSE Executive Board members:

President- Elect - Dr. Darwin Spiller

Financial Secretary - Ms Dianne Shaw

Correspondence Secretary - Mrs. Yumesha Mosley

Historian - Mrs. Carla Windfont

Chaplain - Dr. Brenda Dearmon

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