For more than four decades, Amancio Garza has been a proud ATPE member. The longtime Edinburg CISD educator and current substitute teacher has served in nearly every role possible—campus rep, local unit president, region director—and many times as ATPE’s Top Recruiter.

Garza’s approach to recruiting new members is rooted in his deep belief in what ATPE provides for educators.

“I’ve always believed ATPE provides the best protection for educators,” Garza says. “It’s like having car or home insurance. You hope you never need it, but if you do, it’s there to protect your career and your salary.”

That message resonates because Garza makes it personal. When he talks to potential members, he focuses on real-world scenarios that connect with their daily jobs.

“The first thing I ask people is if they’ve heard of ATPE,” he explains. “Then I give them examples, whether they’re a custodian, bus driver, or teacher, of how ATPE can support them if something goes wrong at work.”

Garza’s persistence and creativity set him apart. He doesn’t limit his recruiting to new-teacher orientations or official events. Instead, he carries business cards and applications everywhere, including schools, grocery stores, and even family gatherings.