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FEATURED NEWS

Save the date: TCTA's 2026 Convention will be Feb. 6-7

Mark your calendars and plan to join us Feb. 6-7 for TCTA's 2026 Convention in Austin. We'll be sharing more information soon on the schedule and hotel reservations at the Downright Austin.

Nominations for statewide office due Nov. 10

Four offices on TCTA's Board of Directors will be on the ballot at convention:

• President-Elect
• Budget Director
• Curriculum & Instruction Director
• Teacher Personal Services Director

We also are accepting nominations for Councilmember-at-Large, to serve if needed on the Advisory Council based on statewide office and district councilmember elections. Click here for more on qualifications.

Even-numbered districts will hold elections for Advisory Council positions.

We're seeking members to present CPE sessions

TCTA's 2026 Convention will include a chance to earn continuing professional education credit hours. We'll include our usual legal Q&A session, but we're also interested in having current members share your expertise on topics.

If you have an idea for a session you'd like to present, please click here to tell us about it. In previous years, members have discussed National Board certification, shared how they used superheroes to engage students in science lessons, and passed on tips for using technology in classrooms.

Submit ideas by Nov. 10. We'll notify selected presenters by early December. If we get more volunteers than we have space to accommodate, we may instead ask you to present a Tuesdays with TCTA webinar.

Join TCTA on Tuesday to discuss educator misconduct

Join us at 6 p.m. Central on Tuesday, Oct. 21, as attorneys Michael Currie and Derrell Coleman discuss new rules regarding educator misconduct and what happens when the State Board for Educator Certification investigates and considers sanctions against educators. Click here to register and submit questions.

Miss our previous sessions on House Bill 2, student discipline and mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect? Click here to watch now.

The Tuesdays with TCTA series can also be viewed for CPE hours by logging in to your membership account. Need help logging in? Call 888-879-8282.

Early voting starts Monday, ends Oct. 31 in Nov. 4 election

Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 20, and ends Friday, Oct. 31, ahead of the Nov. 4 election. This year's ballot will have 17 propositions to amend the Texas Constitution. Many school districts also have board seats, bond issues and tax rates up for election.

Click here for a personalized ballot from the League of Women Voters. The website shares information about issues and candidates to help you make informed decisions before you head to the polls.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Assistant principal appeals termination, claims retaliation

An assistant principal requested a hearing regarding the proposed termination of her contract, saying the decision was in retaliation for her use of the Family Medical Leave Act and claiming she was illegally demoted from principal to an assistant role after returning from leave. Once the district decided to terminate her contract, she appealed to the commissioner of education.

The district told the commissioner its actions were due to multiple complaints about the assistant principal and her failure to show improvement after being put on an improvement plan. Click here to read more.

OTHER NEWS

Wright and Fails honored as Texas Teachers of the Year

Vickiela Wright, a fifth-grade English language arts teacher at McWhirter Elementary School in Clear Creek ISD, was named the 2026 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year during a luncheon today in Round Rock. She will represent Texas at the national level as 2026 Texas Teacher of the Year.

Wright said the recognition was "a personal triumph." Her great-grandmother instilled in her a love of education and a desire to help others in need. "This job isn't easy," Wright said, "but we are the difference makers."

Timothy Fails, a geography teacher at Flower Mound 9th Grade Campus in Lewisville ISD, was named the 2026 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year.

The winners were chosen from six state finalists and announced during a luncheon that also honored the 40 Regional Teachers of the Year. Among those recognized are six TCTA members:

• Region 3 Elementary: Megan Rodriguez of Jackson Roosevelt Elementary in Calhoun County ISD
• Region 5 Elementary: Shana Green of Highland Park Elementary in Nederland ISD
• Region 15 Elementary: Sherri Land of Woodland Heights Elementary in Brownwood ISD
• Region 17 Elementary: Jennifer Webb of Shallowater Elementary in Shallowater ISD
• Region 17 Secondary: Karen Caballero of Shallowater Middle School in Shallowater ISD
• Region 18 Secondary: Billy Cooper of Legacy High School in Midland ISD

Click here for more about the Texas Teacher of the Year program.

Job cuts could reduce federal oversight of special education

Sweeping layoffs announced last week by the Trump administration cut many employees in the U.S. Department of Education office responsible for overseeing special education, according to multiple sources within the department.

While a judge temporarily put the cuts on hold, parents and other advocates are concerned the reduction in force, if it stands, would remove critical oversight to ensure students with disabilities can access resources to learn safely and effectively as guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Click here to read more.

• Oct. 31 is Halloween.
• Apply for H-E-B's Excellence in Education Awards by Nov. 2.
• Election Day is Nov. 4. Early voting is Oct. 20-31.