Volunteer Spotlight: Haydee Castillo
The thousands of ATPE volunteers across Texas are the backbone of this association. Their hard work and dedication allow ATPE to serve the state’s largest community of educators. In this ongoing ATPE News series, we spotlight volunteers who set a great example of service for their fellow educators.
Haydee Castillo | Valley View (1) ATPE
NEXT UP: Haydee Castillo, who works as a first grade teacher at Valley View South Elementary School in Valley View ISD and is the president of Valley View (1) ATPE.
A constant visible presence on campus
Castillo has served as a Valley View (1) ATPE officer for approximately five years, first as secretary and now as president. She says recruiting new members starts with establishing a visible presence on campus early in the school year. The goal is to ensure both members and nonmembers understand how ATPE is ready to serve them.
“We want to start the year off letting members know we exist in every way possible,” Castillo says. “We aim to use all the tools available, including emails, text messages, WhatsApp, Facebook, and more. We want to remind them they have an association that is there for them.”
For Castillo, communication is vital to growing and maintaining membership. She says using multiple communication channels not only helps volunteer leaders share important information more effectively but also allows the local unit to tailor messages to each of Valley View ISD’s unique campus communities.
“Each campus has its own personality,” Castillo says. “We have asked our campus representatives to create a WhatsApp group with members at their school. Whenever we have news or a message to send, we will email it and post it on social media. We will also send a WhatsApp message. These messages can feel more personal, and they go directly to members’ phones so you know if they have read it or not.”
“We want to start the year off letting members know we exist in every way possible.”
Haydee Castillo
First grade teacher in Valley View ISD and president of Valley View (1) ATPE
Castillo says the local unit also creates monthly newsletters distributed via email. These newsletters allow them to share important information about the local unit, including summaries of previous meetings, school board updates, and details about upcoming events. They also share information about ATPE benefits, such as member discounts and professional development opportunities. It is another tool they use to remain a visible presence in the lives of members.
While Castillo believes these methods help members feel connected to a community, she emphasizes that the best way to connect with people is in person.
“It is important to make yourself present in person on your campus,” Castillo says. “Let people know you are one of the ATPE officers. When they know you personally, it is easier for them to feel a connection to ATPE.”
Building community to increase retention
Effective communication and visibility are key strategies to help recruit new ATPE members, but Castillo and her officers know that it is equally as important to retain existing members. To show appreciation, the local unit makes a point to recognize returning members.
“In the beginning of the year, we will try and put together a little tote bag or some type of appreciation gift for returning members,” Castillo says. “For example, we give tote bags to the first 100 members that sign up through a Google form we distribute.”
Additionally, the local unit hosts frequent events that allow members to gather together and build a sense of community. Castillo says they also use these events to show their appreciation for both current and prospective members. The local unit conducts a drawing for a Thanksgiving turkey dinner for a family of six to eight, as well as gift card drawings for both existing and new members at the Christmas meeting.
For Castillo, the work of building community extends beyond recruitment and retention. It has also been personally meaningful.
“As an officer, I have an extra family in ATPE,” Castillo says. “I have my personal family, my blood family, my school family, and my church family, but this feels like another family, too.”
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