The ATPE Podcast

 In a follow-up to her recent conversation with Elizabeth SoRelle from the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC), host Andrea Hutlock has a meaningful conversation with retired educator Claudia Loewenstein from the THGAAC Speakers Bureau, whose family history and classroom experience have shaped her passion for Holocaust education. As the daughter of Holocaust sur...

Join host Andrea Hutlock for a thoughtful conversation with Elizabeth SoRelle, commission educator at the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) , about the importance of Holocaust education and the lasting impact meaningful classroom experiences can have on students. In this episode, Elizabeth reflects on her journey from classroom teacher to Holocaust education a...

The latest episode of The ATPE Podcast is now available! Join co-hosts Andrea Hutlock and Kate Johanns for a special look at the 2026 ATPE Summit, including an exclusive interview with opening keynote speaker Juan Bendana! Juan shares thought-provoking strategies for staying energized, building confidence, and starting each day with intention. It’s the jolt of good info you need as we begin the sp...

Join Kate and Andrea for a discussion of the "Bookish Educator Club," a loose, low-commitment effort to support reading goals, as well as a sneak preview of some exciting member benefit news. Hosted by: Kate Johanns, ATPE Marketing & Engagement Director Andrea Hutlock, ATPE Engagement & Learning Specialist

Just in time for winter break, The ATPE Podcast is back from its hiatus with a mid-year reset of its own: a new format! The refreshed podcast format features two co-hosts—Andrea Hutlock and Kate Johanns—as well as a shorter length, a wider variety of content, and, coming in the new year, the inclusion of member voices. We’ll still feature advocacy and legal content on the regular, but we’ll also c...

From jury duty to military service, educators may encounter unique situations that require time away from the classroom. But what happens if you are injured while breaking up a fight at school? Can a district require you to use personal leave when you are called for jury duty? How long can you be absent for military service and still return to your job with full benefits? These are just a few of t...

The 2025 Texas legislative session was one of the most politically charged in recent memory. With pre-election pressure and influence from outside interest groups shaping the agenda, lawmakers clashed over key education issues and long-standing policy goals. For the first time, voucher legislation became law in Texas, marking a significant shift with major implications for families, educators, and...

What makes in-person events so valuable for educators today? In an age where virtual meetings and webinars are more accessible than ever, why should you still consider showing up in person? Whether it’s for professional development, networking, or simply feeling a deeper sense of connection, these face-to-face moments can offer something uniquely impactful. Joining the conversation is ATPE Engagem...

Have you ever wondered what it means for an educator to be "protected" while taking time off for medical or family reasons? Understanding what that entails is crucial when faced with a family emergency. This includes knowing the steps to request FMLA, eligibility requirements, the types of medical conditions that qualify, and the amount of leave you are entitled to under the law. Key benefits, suc...

In his push for voucher legislation, Gov. Greg Abbott recently released a list of arguments made by public education advocates against school voucher programs. By labeling these legitimate concerns as “myths,” the governor has created a misleading narrative that can confuse voters about the true impact of school voucher legislation. Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to critically evaluate these cl...

As educators, taking time off when life requires it is a necessity. However, navigating the policies around leave can often feel overwhelming. For Texas educators, understanding the intricacies of leave types and policies is key to ensuring both your rights and responsibilities are respected. You might have heard the terms “discretionary” and “nondiscretionary” leave thrown around, but do you know...

On Jan. 5, President Joe Biden signed into law the Social Security Fairness Act, the result of more than 40 years of ATPE advocacy. The law repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), two offsets formerly in Social Security law that unfairly reduced the retirement benefits of some public servants, including many Texas educators. David Pore, ATPE’s federal...

Understanding parental access to a child’s education in Texas is essential for public educators as it shapes how you engage with families and navigate the legal landscape surrounding education. Although parental involvement is encouraged, educators should be aware of important legal limitations and protocols regarding access to records and classroom visitation. Parents have a fundamental right to...

Whether you're a teacher, an administrator, a student, or a parent, your voice matters, and this upcoming election is not just about picking a new president; it’s also about making decisions that affect our education system, funding for schools, teacher salaries, and essential programs. While Texas educators help to shape the future of Texas, our elected officials, primarily the Legislature, help...

It came as no surprise that the voucher conversation dominated the last legislative session, and as such much of our communications to members over that time frame was dedicated to fighting that battle. In addition to the long regular session, the entirety of the summer and fall felt like all vouchers all the time. At the end of the day, we were able to hold off vouchers, and that's certainly a po...

As teacher recruitment and retention issues continue in districts all over Texas, the teacher preparation landscape has changed significantly in response. Many new teachers are transitioning from other careers, and we have seen numerous pathways for certification evolve to better fill growing vacancies. In turn, the rush to certify educators—and do so quickly—has created a bit of a gap between wha...

Following a disappointing Texas primary election in March, it appears the Texas House will be far less friendly to public education going forward. Some of these races have been tight, and in such a unique election season, we have seen millions of dollars poured in from out-of-state donors to spread anti-public education propaganda. Originally attracted to Texas races as voucher proponents, these n...

You might be asking yourself, “Didn’t I just vote in March?” Well, we hope the answer to that question is yes, but public education is always on the ballot, and there are two more elections in the month of May that are just as important for Texas educators. Early voting for the May 4 election runs from April 22–30, and depending on where you live, you might have a school board trustee, bond, and/o...

In preparation for the launch of a new online community and professional learning platform, ATPE has hired a new engagement and learning specialist to spearhead these projects and foster opportunities for ATPE members to engage with each other and take part in high-quality professional learning. Andrea Hutlock joined the ATPE team in the Marketing & Communications department in January. Many e...

The fourth special legislative session wrapped up Dec. 5 following a dramatic battle between lawmakers over Gov. Greg Abbott’s private school voucher agenda. Although the Legislature did not pass a voucher program, it also did not pass any increases in school funding, including funding for teacher pay raises or funding to help with the costs of implementing the regular session’s school safety bill...

As the popularity of social networking has grown, so too has the potential for its misuse. As an educator, you are held to a high standard of conduct, even when you are engaging with social media platforms outside of school, and expecting teachers not to use social networking is not realistic or fair. There are many educational benefits to engaging with these platforms as well. With all the issues...

With the 88th regular legislative session ending months ago and a special session beginning soon, lawmakers continue to battle over the future of public education policy in Texas. Again, private school voucher legislation will be the focus, and the magnitude of educator engagement will likely determine the results. In the regular session, ATPE testified on a number of bills and worked with legisla...

In June, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 133. This new law prohibits the physical restraint of public school students by peace officers and school security personnel under certain circumstances. So what is meant by the phrase “physical restraint”? In this context, physical restraint involves an emergency situation where physical interaction is a last resort. Texas law defines “restraint”...

What do First Amendment rights look like for educators, and how much protection do those rights provide in schools and other public forums? You’ll often see statements paraphrasing court opinions that educators and students don’t shed their First Amendment rights when they go to school. This may be true, but the protection the First Amendment provides isn’t absolute and can depend on the situation...

The penalty-free resignation deadline is the last possible date most educators can resign from employment without risk of penalty to their TEA certification. This deadline is particularly important for you when under contract in a district where you do not plan to work during the upcoming school year. For districts with a first instructional day in August, the penalty-free resignation deadline wil...