Vicki Williams – Pearland
After I had been a member for years and years, I actually had to use the legal services once. The lawyers were phenomenal. They never once asked me to back down. They said, “You have this option or this option. Which way do you want to go? We will back you to the hilt.” I have the utmost respect for TSTA.

Katharine Ashby – North Lamar
(What I’ve learned is) I’m not just a member and I’m not just a young teacher. I really matter. I was able to see how much one person can matter and does matter to an association that includes over three million people.
 

Glorimar Yace – Cypress Fairbanks
I joined TSTA because I needed protection. I guess most of the members start like that, looking for protection. But there’s a lot of other things that TSTA and NEA offer to members.
 

Dennis Thomas – Grand Prairie
TSTA has been such a wonderful experience, especially this year’s Leadership Academy and Ambassador Academy. I’ve met some awesome people in leadership and individuals who are doing things we normally wouldn’t have a chance to talk about.

Susan Seaton – San Marcos
I started in the student program because it gave us volunteer and mentorship abilities. We have a common goal to improve public education and to improve the lives of our students. You build camaraderie, you build leadership abilities and you can really make a difference.

John Clayton – Houston
I joined because I wanted to become a part of trying to improve my working environment. There are a myriad of things which we need as teachers to unite to try and improve. This is the organization that can do that.
 

Lisa Dammert – Plano
TSTA speaks up for teachers, and we ensure quality education for all our students. It’s a wonderful organization, it’s something I truly believe in and it’s something I’m passionate about, and I just love the people I work with.
 

Maggie Inglett – Harlingen
I have been a member of NEA for over 30 years. TSTA has supported us and provides us with professional development. I can think of no other organization that can do better for our teachers and for our students.
 

Ovidia Molina and Pamela Belcher – Alief
I love the association because it empowers me, gives me information and makes me feel part of the family. I know as long as I stay an active member, I always have support.
 

Misty Heiskell – Amarillo
I joined TSTA to become involved and to make a difference. (I want people to know) all the things they’re doing to help us as educators to make the world a better place.
 

Janice McDowell and Tanya McCloud – Waco
TSTA is very important to me. It’s for protection of our rights. It’s a family; they care about us. Involvement, participation, we have a voice — TSTA is the greatest. I’d recommend it to anybody.
 

Noel and Patty Candelaria – Ysleta
I have a voice at every single level – at the local, the state and the national levels. My voice is heard at every single level that affects public education.

 

T.J. Baker Holm – Fort Bend
This has been a wonderful (Leadership Academy), and thank you so much for a great, great weekend.

 

Dora Richardson – Linden-Kildare
I just finished the Ambassador Academy, and it’s just been an awesome week, learning how I can be empowered to go back and get new members and explain to our old members just what their benefits are.
 

TSTA/NEA: FIGHTING FOR TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS SINCE 1880

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