Published in the San Antonio Express-News, August 8, 2014

 "I had been at the school for two years. My fellow teachers and co-workers knew me as a caring, honest and good teacher. They decided to put pressure on the principal so I wouldn't have to transfer. I was overwhelmed to learn that many of the established teachers in the school talked to our local teachers union and individually to the principal, causing him to let the issue go. I felt a huge amount of relief and gratitude..."

Several SUE members participated in the annual Stewartville Summerfest 4th of July parade.  During the parade we passed out 2,000 pencils and 1,000 freeze pops to the parade viewers.  We had 2 cars, one with our elementary  and secondary teachers of the year Krystal Peterson and Kelly Manley, as well as Dawn Clark, our friend of education.  Thanks to Mark Schmitz for driving his convertible!  The other vehicle sported our nifty banner and was the hub for the parade goodies. Thanks to Cheri and Jim Stageberg for letting us use your vehicle.

AFT cameraman comes to our local to interview some of our support staff.  Some of the interview consisted of our role to help in" Reclaiming the promise". As drivers this is how the they do their job and send happy kids into school to be ready to learn from  teachers.

Download your free New Teacher Survival Kit.

• Tips for setting up your classroom
• Resources for managing student discipline
• Handy forms for tracking students
• Grading aides
• Preparing for evaluations
• And more!

I am pleased to announce the results of the recent election of officers to the Executive Board of PATFA.

Michele Cheung has been elected to a two-year term as President, beginning August 1, and Jim Seymour has been elected to the Vice-President's position. Tom McCord and Pam Mitchel have been re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer. Congratulations to them and many thanks to them for being willing to serve in these important positions. And thanks to all who participated in the election.

Regards,
Michael Burke, outgoing PATFA President

Click on the link below to check out Education Austin's 2013-2014 Year in Review. http://flipagram.com/f/DEWTYNgw1I

Please note that the Chapter's financial statements and the associated internal financial review committee report for the past fiscal year (February 1, 2013 - January 31, 2014) are available.  Please contact the Secretary-Treasurer, Michael Aloi, to view them if so desired.

Click on the Resources menu above for meeting minutes and files such as our constitution.

RFT Membership and Executive Council meetings take place in the media center at Plymouth Middle School.

It was my privilege in July to represent PATFA (AFT Local #4593) at the 2014 American Federation of Teachers convention in Los Angeles. The experience proved to be an education in labor politics and a revelation to me of the passion of so many AFT members, whose ranks include many working and retired health and education professionals in varied fields.