2023-24 ATPE Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Awards
The Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Award is named after ATPE’s longtime executive director Doug Rogers, who was one of ATPE’s founding members and served as executive director from 1989 to 2013. The award recognizes special ATPE volunteers who prove themselves essential to the continued growth and development of our grassroots organization. Each recipient receives a check for $1,000.
Campus representatives have a unique role in a local unit by providing resources, tools, and recruitment initiatives to specific campuses. They help ATPE local units extend their reach and encourage engagement from current and potential members.
Each year, this award is presented to those campus representatives who define all the qualities of the role.
This year’s recipients are:
Local units or districts with 201–500 members
Bertha Cantu, Mission ATPE
“Being named Campus Rep of the Year for my membership category has been an incredible experience,” Mission ATPE’s Bertha Cantu says. “It has been humbling to represent my brand new local unit and region by winning this accolade. I am deeply thankful to my family, especially my husband, who has motivated me and encouraged me to keep advocating for our members. Without his and my children’s support, I would most definitely not be able to be so active in our unit. Additionally, I want to express my gratitude to our neighboring La Joya ATPE local unit. Their guidance and overall support have been unwavering. Last, but not least, much appreciation for our region and membership specialist who have guided me and my local unit to continue growing and advocating for our educators.”
Local units or districts with 501–1,000 members
Annabel Cruz, La Joya ATPE
“I am deeply honored to be named ATPE Campus Rep of the Year and to have my individual efforts and contributions recognized,” La Joya ATPE’s Annabel Cruz says. “ATPE is an organization that provides exceptional support for its members, ensuring peace of mind with the reassurance that you’re never alone. This message of unwavering support is central to what I stand for. As a campus rep, I am committed to advocating for all members and am grateful for their ongoing trust. I am honored to serve, not only as their representative, but also as a voice for many within my campus and district. This award is incredibly meaningful to me because it acknowledges that my ongoing efforts and contributions in representing all members are having a real impact. It highlights the value of our work and inspires me to continue striving for positive change. I would like to express my gratitude to former La Joya ATPE President Norma Vega for her unwavering support and guidance throughout the years. Her help has been invaluable as I navigated and learned how to be an effective and positive support system for my campus. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our current president, Vanessa Brown, for her support and invaluable guidance.”
Local units or districts with 1,001+ members
Suzanne Kujawa, Katy ATPE
“I was delighted to be selected as the ATPE Campus Rep of the Year,” Katy ATPE’s Suzanne Kujawa says. “ATPE works hard to support and represent teachers. It meant a lot that my individual contribution to this organization’s statewide efforts was recognized. I hope this demonstrates to others that membership and individual participation helps the greater organization. I have two people to thank: Katy ATPE President Janet Godfrey, for guiding and supporting me as I learned how to be a positive support for my campus, and my husband, AC Kujawa, who is my greatest cheerleader and supporter. He believes in me and all my endeavors, which means the world to me.”
Again, congratulations to ATPE’s 2023-24 Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Award recipients!
