Introducing the 2026-27 ATPE State Officers

During the 46th Annual ATPE House of Delegates (HOD) meeting, delegates elected the following members as the association’s 2026-27 state officers. In accordance with the ATPE State Bylaws, because each state officer election was uncontested, the nominees won their respective positions by acclamation. These officers will begin their one-year terms Aug. 1.

State President: Eli Rodriguez

Eli Rodriguez is a 41-year education veteran who recently retired as a seventh grade English/language arts in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. He currently works as a substitute teacher. Throughout his 32 years as an ATPE member, he has served as state vice president, secretary, and treasurer; on numerous committees; and in several leadership roles for Mesquite ATPE, Cypress-Fairbanks ATPE, and Region 4 ATPE. Outside of ATPE, Eli has served his district and community through the District-Wide Educational Improvement Council (DEIC) and Cypress Assistance Ministry.

State Vice President: Teresa Millard

Teresa Millard is a PreK3 teacher/bus driver in Woden ISD with 21 years of education and ATPE experience. She has held the positions of state secretary and treasurer as well as served on several committees and in multiple region and local unit roles. Most recently, she served as the Region 7 ATPE director. Her service to the community includes volunteering for the Nacogdoches Farmers Market and the South Nacogdoches County Volunteer Fire Department. Teresa is an ATPE Master Advocate.

State Secretary: Twila Figueroa

Twila Figueroa, a 40-year education veteran, recently retired as a special education self-contained Life Skills teacher in McAllen ISD. She is the 2025-26 ATPE state treasurer. Prior to that, she served as the Region 1 ATPE director and held several leadership roles in her region and local unit. She has chaired ATPE’s Legislative, Minority & Diverse Population Recruitment, Nomination/Election, Political Action, and Public Information committees, and she has served on the Educator of the Year and Resolutions committees. She has also testified before the Texas Legislature on behalf of ATPE. Twila is an ATPE Master Advocate.

State Treasurer: Dani Boepple

Dani Boepple, who has 20 years of experience in education, is an eighth grade CTE teacher in Principles of Human Services/Principles of Education & Training. She previously served as the Region 10 ATPE President, Vice President, and Secretary. She was also the Mesquite ATPE President, Treasurer, and Campus Rep Chair. She has also volunteered as a campus rep in Mesquite ATPE. She has served on the State Resolutions and Nomination/Election committees. She was recognized as the 2024 ATPE Secondary Teacher of the Year and has been an ATPE member for six years. Dani is an ATPE Master Advocate.

These officers join the immediate past state president.

Immediate Past State President: Jerrica Holt

Jerrica Holt serves as an associate principal at Community High School and has 15 years of experience. She has been a member and chairwoman of several ATPE state committees, has served an ATPE at the Capitol panelist, and was a member of the inaugural class of Leadership ATPE. Jerrica has volunteered for her district and in her community through various leadership roles, including as a CHAMPion mentor, YoungLife Lamar County mentor, Paris Downtown Food Pantry board member, and Lamar County United Way campaign chair.

The 2026 House of Delegates (HOD) also considered the reports of the Resolutions and Legislative committees. Look for a blog post soon recapping this HOD activity.