Monty Exter

ATPE Governmental Relations Director

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After hosting many years of ATPE Lobby Days followed by several ATPE at the Capitol events— which brought hundreds of members to the Texas State Capitol all at once—the association transitioned during the 2025 legislative session to hosting smaller, targeted visits with legislators. These events are called Capitol Expeditions and began in February 2025. The driver for this change was creating a richer experience for members who are determined to make their voice heard by school boards, at the Capitol, and beyond.

“We found there were other member organizations that had a very continuous presence at the Capitol,” ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter said. “We felt like it was beneficial from an advocacy standpoint to make that change. The experience is more meaningful, both for members and for the advocacy effort.”

However, participation is not automatic; to attend a Capitol Expedition, a member must first complete the ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP) State-Level Microcredential. These online, on-demand professional learning courses help inform members before meeting with their representatives in Austin.

https://youtu.be/xI6Elfa20Hc?si=7_M11KC4AkzCXFdg

“ATPE at the Capitol used to be a two-day event—one day that was dedicated to professional development and one day dedicated to going up to the Capitol,” Exter explained. “We moved the professional development to an online format through the ATPE-MAP program, and then it’s really grown to be more than what the professional development day ever was.”

One member, Lena Angel, described her experience at a Capitol Expedition.

“The Capitol Expedition felt like a grounding experience,” she said. “It’s one thing to vote for representatives in hopes that they will do right by public education, but to actually interact with decision-makers made my vote feel like it counted—regardless of outcomes. Sharing the unique stories of my students with lawmakers was exciting and fulfilling, and I hope that it stayed with them.”

Angel also spoke to the Senate Finance Committee about Senate Bill (SB) 2330, a bill that would have eliminated payroll deduction of membership dues for state and local government employee organizations, including educator associations.

Watch how Angel brought her classroom experiences to the Capitol in her testimony before the Senate Finance Committee.

“This bill was written with the intent to remove payroll deduction for educators despite the fact that Texas allows [this practice] for firemen and policemen,” Angel said. “I feel strongly that this was a move to silence our voices as we are stronger when we unite together. My testimony contained personal stories about how being a member of ATPE has allowed me to have a longer career in education because I know that I am supported and protected.”

Her testimony drew the attention of at least one Texas senator.

“When I finished, Sen. Jose Menendez asked for a copy of my testimony, which is a common practice so that legislators can draw upon these stories when working on bills,” she said. “Educators should know that our stories have the power to change outcomes for our students.”

Angel’s Capitol Expedition group also met with Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D–Plano).

“She invited us into our office, listened to each of our stories, and shared her own experience with public education,” Angel said. “She was very moved and even teared up at one point when we discussed teachers who make lasting impacts on students. She gave each of us a Capitol-shaped squeezy toy that I proudly display in my classroom.”

Lamar ATPE member DeVonte Thompson made his first Capitol visit and was enthusiastic about his participation.

“It was an experience of a lifetime,” Thompson said. “I have so much fun connecting with people in ATPE, legislators, and the lobby team. It was kind of like a kid meeting a Disney character. I learned so much about how they advocate for educators and the landscape of public education in Texas. It was everything I didn’t know I needed.”

DeVonte Thompson

Lamar ATPE member

Thompson also shared his experience meeting his representative.

“The office didn’t know much about what educators went through on a day-to-day basis, but they were willing to listen,” he said. “They asked questions to understand our perspective and shared where Rep. stood on the issues. It was nice to feel heard and advocated for.”

https://youtu.be/7YNQFQOgP4E?si=6bwNRhDNvxPZNxC5

Both Angel and Thompson completed ATPE-MAP courses before visiting the Capitol. Thompson has completed both the Local Advocacy and State-Level Advocacy credentials. Angel completed the State-Level Advocacy program and is halfway through the Local Advocacy program. Beginning this spring, members will be able to pursue the new “Master Advocate” designation.

“The Master Advocate program is intended to be a recognition for members who take the next step and apply what they’ve learned to practical advocacy,” Exter said. “We think people should get recognized for that. It’s a big step.”

Angel also touched on the current programs provided by ATPE-MAP.

“The programs are rich with information that prepares you for an adventure at the Capitol,” Angel said. “As with any ATPE training, you are supported and encouraged.”

The ATPE-MAP courses include three credentials:

• Local Advocacy Credential – Covers community-level advocacy, including engagement with campus and central office leaders, school boards, community organizations, and local media.
• State-Level Advocacy Credential – Focused on the State Capitol, state agencies, and boards. Completion is required to attend Capitol Expeditions.
• Master Advocate Program Credential – Will be earned by completing the State-Level Advocacy Course and one additional course and then practically applying the advocacy skills leaned in those courses. Members may complete Master Advocate now by completing the Local Advocacy microcredential as their additional course, but additional course offerings will be made available in the coming months. Details on applying for the Master Advocate designation will be available soon.

ATPE Governmental Relations Lobbyist Tricia Cave highlighted the importance of ATPE-MAP.

“It takes the guesswork and uncertainty out of a Capitol visit,” she said. “The MAP program teaches educators to approach a Capitol visit with the knowledge that they are the experts in the education field and to go into an office prepared and confident. Participants in Capitol expeditions come away thankful for the knowledge and training they received through MAP and mindful of the tools they learned to get the most out of their Capitol visits.”

ATPE Capitol Expeditions will resume in Spring 2027, so it is important for members to complete their ATPE-MAP training now to ensure they are eligible to participate and make their voices heard.

“If I can speak confidently in front of legislators, so can you,” Angel said. “Your voice, your story, and your experience matter. Please share it!”

Lena Angel

English teacher and co-president of Katy ATPE

Start your ATPE-MAP experience by enrolling today!

ATPE Member Advocate Program

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Monty Exter

ATPE Governmental Relations Director

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The post What the 2026 Texas Primaries May Signal for Public Education appeared first on ATPE News.

As the March 3, 2026, primary elections approach, it is important for Texas educators to be aware of key dates and deadlines and to ensure their voter registration information is accurate.

Texas uses an open primary system, meaning voters may choose to participate in either the Republican or Democratic primary, regardless of party affiliation or whether they are affiliated with a party at all. Voting in a primary does not bind you to that party in future elections. However, it does determine which party’s runoff election, if any, you are eligible to vote in. For example, a voter who participates in the Democratic primary may vote for a Democrat, Republican, third party, or mix of candidates in November, but may only vote in a Democratic runoff in May, not a Republican one.

Key dates

Voter registration:

• The deadline to register to vote for this election is Monday, Feb. 2.

Mail-in ballot applications:

• You can apply for a ballot by mail now through Friday, Feb. 20. Applications must be received by that date, not simply postmarked.

Voting:

• Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 17.
• Early voting ends Friday, Feb. 27.
• Election Day is Tuesday, March 3.

Completed mail-in ballots may be returned anytime. Ballots delivered in person must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, March 3. Ballots submitted by mail must be postmarked by the same time on Election Day and received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4.

Check here for more on voting by mail from our friends at the League of Women Voters.

Confirm your voter registration

While most educators have previously registered to vote, the beginning of primary season is a good time to confirm that your registration is current and accurate. This quick online check takes about one minute.

Fill in your name, date of birth, and either your county and ZIP code, driver license number, or voter ID number, and the system will confirm whether you are registered and the address associated with your registration. For a voter registration to be valid, it must reflect your current mailing address.

If you are not registered, or your address needs to be updated, you can fill out a voter registration application online, print it, sign it, and drop it in the mail.

After the primary election

If a runoff election is required, only voters who participated in that party’s primary, or who did not vote in either primary, may vote in that party’s runoff. In other words, your primary election choice determines which runoff, if any, you are eligible to participate in. Voting in a primary does not bind you to a political party beyond that runoff election, and it does not affect how you may vote in future general elections.

Use ATPE’s tools to be a better-informed voter

Now that you know the upcoming deadlines and have confirmed your registration, ATPE can help you get informed before you head to the polls. ATPE’s Teach the Vote has been used by more than 1.1 million visitors to learn more about the intersection of the Legislature and the classroom.

The candidate search tool includes a profile on every candidate running for the Texas House and Senate, the State Board of Education, and the statewide offices of governor and lieutenant governor. Candidate profiles include contact information, responses to the ATPE candidate survey, and, for incumbents, voting records on important education issues. Additional helpful information is compiled by ATPE Governmental Relations.

ATPE’s TeachtheVote.org puts this useful information at your fingertips in five minutes or less.

Monty Exter

ATPE Governmental Relations Director

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Monty Exter

ATPE Governmental Relations Director

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The post The Importance of Exercising (Your Right to Vote) appeared first on ATPE News.

Whether it’s with new students and parents or returning colleagues, back-to-school is the time to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones. The foundation of productive advocacy is relationships, making the back-to-school season a perfect time to exercise your local advocacy skills.

While much of ATPE’s staff-driven advocacy efforts focus on representing you at the State Capitol, building a strong local advocacy presence—both personally and with your fellow ATPE members—can be just as impactful to your and your students’ ability to thrive day to day in your local school. The keys: Get informed, get personal, get a crew, and get engaged.

Stay Informed and Get Personal

While trying to stay informed can seem daunting in this era of never-ending news cycles and a constant barrage of social media, there are tools and strategies to help you stay informed while also staying afloat. Pick trusted sources of information and filter out the noise by focusing either on the things that bring positive energy into your life or the things that truly impact your personal and professional world.

ATPE offers valuable tools to support your advocacy, including media literacy training through the ATPE Member Advocacy Program (ATPE-MAP) and trusted information on issues that affect your profession. Your district, campus, and local PTA/PTO can also be valuable sources of information to support your local advocacy journey. Keeping informed of the key issues that impact you and those around you is an important part of building strong advocacy relationships.

Your principal, superintendent, school board members, and even state legislators are just people. We tend to separate ourselves from those whom we view as authority figures or “in charge,” especially the “higher up” we perceive them to be, but the truth is, they have many of the same motivations, anxieties, and hang-ups as the rest of us. You are more than your title, and so are they.

We all generally appreciate people we can both be real and relaxed with and who we feel see and respect us. The same goes for the individuals you hope to build advocacy relationships with. You can be polite and professional without being impersonal. Take the time and interest to get to know the person behind the title and to let them know you. You’ll be glad you did.

Build Your Advocacy Crew

Pretty much everything in life is easier when you tackle it with friends, and local advocacy is no different. Staying informed is a lot more fun when it involves a conversation with friends. Inviting the school board member to coffee—or some other social interaction—is a lot less daunting when you bring a friend. When you and your ATPE crew decide to take on local advocacy together, it becomes easier and a lot more fun.

ATPE has a ton of tools to help you and your crew be more efficient and effective when it comes to advocacy and so much more. Who doesn’t want that?! So ask your work pals who aren’t yet members of your ATPE crew to join the association, and invite the members around you to become part of your local advocacy journey. The bigger and stronger your crew, the more you’ll accomplish—and the more fun you will have doing it.

Turn Knowledge Into Action

Being a Texas public educator can feel like having a never-ending to-do list, but carving out time to engage in advocacy is one of the most impactful and, hopefully, fulfilling things you can do. You’ve informed yourself. You’ve built personal relationships with local decision makers at your campus and district. And you have the support of your ATPE crew.

Now, it’s time to take the next step. Volunteering for a campus and/or district committee or activity is a great way to put those relationships and knowledge into action. You’ll put yourself in a position to make a real difference for yourself and your school community.

And if you want even more control over how you engage, you and your ATPE crew can even create your own activities. You get to decide what advocacy looks like and how much fun you want to bake into it.

So, I hope you’re having a great start to your school year and that you’ll take some time during this back-to-school season to start, or continue, your local advocacy journey.

Monty Exter

ATPE Governmental Relations Director

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The post Back to School, Back to Advocacy appeared first on ATPE News.

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