Learn from Laura Subrin Yeager on why educators should vote in every election. A passionate advocate for public education, Laura launched Texas Educators Vote in 2015, and has been directing the program ever since. Thanks for the great info and interview, Laura! And for all your hard work for Texas public ed!
Read MoreTexas Parent PAC Co-chair Dinah Miller talks about the importance of getting good representation into the Texas Legislature to support public education. Anette and Dinah have bonded not only over public ed advocacy, but also through their joint journeys to India, Mexico, and within the US and Texas through Leadership Women. Dinah, a seventh generation Texan, served as Richardson ISD Council of PTAs legislative chair for three years, as well as chairing PTA carnivals and book fairs. Dinah was a co-founder of Texas Parent PAC in 2005 and has served the PAC as vice-chair.
Read MoreTexas Parent PAC Co-chair Julie Cowan discusses the importance of advocacy for public education and how this organization helps build support for good policy at the Texas Legislature. Julie was an elected trustee on the Austin ISD school board in 2014-2018, and she was secretary of the board. During her board tenure she was president of the Central Texas School Board Association and a member of the Texas Association of School Boards Legislative Advocacy Council.
Read MoreTexas Parent PAC co-founder and past chair Carolyn Boyle discusses the early days of Texas Parent PAC, and how and why she helped start the organization that has helped elect good leadership, and has had a positive impact on good policy for Texas public ed. Texas owes Carolyn a debt of gratitude for her tireless volunteer efforts as an education advocate for all children. Carolyn co-founded Texas Parent PAC and was its Chair from 2005 to 2019.
Read MorePastors for Texas Children has provided a unique and powerfully influential voice advocating for public education in recent years. Good friend of Anette, PTC's founder and executive director, the Rev. Charles Foster Johnson, discusses the roles churches and religious leaders can play in supporting public school children and public schools, both through their ministries and through advocacy. A much-needed counterpoint to some of the anti-public ed rhetoric, Charlie and PTC are growing this movement across Texas and a number of other states now. Anette is honored to serve on the board of Pastors for Texas Children.
Read MoreDr. Libby Cohen, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Raise Your Hand Texas since 2018, discusses the advocacy team and approach she is building to support public education across the state. Learn about Libby, the RADs, and advocacy. Libby holds a PhD in economic and social history from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes scholar. Originally from Dallas, Libby is a sixth generation Texan and is delighted to have the opportunity to strengthen public institutions in her native state.
Read MoreAnette visits with Jacob Fraire, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Community Colleges. Jacob and Anette discuss issues surrounding community colleges, including legislative, governance, and the challenges faced by students of poverty. Anette is honored to serve on the Community College Association of Texas Trustees, which is under umbrella of TACC.
Read MoreToday I talk with Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab, a passionate advocate for food and housing insecure college students . Sara is Professor of Higher Education Policy & Sociology at Temple University, and Founding Director of the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice in Philadelphia. She is also the Chief Strategy Officer for Emergency Aid at Edquity, a student financial success and emergency aid company, and founded Believe in Students, a nonprofit distributing emergency aid.
Read MoreRod Schroder, long-time educational leader, discusses the role of superintendents, board members, and community in educating our youth. Superintendent of Amarillo ISD for 15 years, Rod served as interim in Midland ISD for a year as well. Also very involved in legislative activity, both through the Texas School Alliance and other state-wide organizations, Rod also covers the legislature's role. Involved since the beginning of Panhandle Twenty/20, Rod talks about the use of data as an important tool for change.
Read MoreLearn about the importance of play in education and life from my friend, Brandi Heather! I met Brandi through The Podcasting Fellowship course I took, and we continue to learn from one another!
Brandi brings a creative and innovative combination of training and subject matter expertise to her leadership role as Chief Knowledge Officer of AMPED2PLAY Inc.
Read MoreAnette wrote this op-ed piece for the Amarillo Globe News during the first community study of Panhandle Twenty/20 on the issue of educational attainment. It was published on December 27th, 2006, and, sadly, is no longer archived by the local paper. Still, look around, and see what you can do in your own community!
Read MoreJennifer is the founder and director of Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium (TEGAC--now a part of Educate Texas), a collaboration of private, corporate and community foundations across the state working to promote, protect and improve Texas public education through advocacy and public policy. Anette and Jennifer met when both worked for Raise Your Hand Texas as Community Ambassadors, and enjoy working to build stronger support for Texas public education in their various roles.
Read MoreLinda Pitner has long been a community leader in Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle, serving others in her various professions, her volunteer work, and as an elected official. Linda and Anette served together on the Amarillo ISD school board, and, of course, worked together with the efforts of Panhandle Twenty/20, as well as a number of other nonprofits. She has been a go-to sounding board for Anette, both for her excellent judgment and her wide and deep knowledge about the intersection of the public sector, politics, and, of course, education.
Read MoreAs Dr. Donna Beegle says, “Fight poverty, not the people who live in it.” Donna first brought her work to Amarillo with Panhandle Twenty/20 in 2010. Growing up in generational poverty, Donna uses her passion and knowledge to help communities understand poverty and how to modify efforts inside of our institutions to better serve those in need.
Read MoreDavid Anderson of Hillco Partners shares his knowledge of many years of inside experience beginning as a teacher to a now long-time lobbyist. If anyone knows Texas Education policy and practice, and history, it's my friend David. Thanks for your wisdom and dedication! And enjoy the wind whistling through the windows on this chilly day in Austin!
Read MoreDr. Michelle Smith, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Raise Your Hand Texas, shares her perspective on public education, with experience that ranges from her time as a classroom teacher to being a lobbyist at the Texas Legislature. As she says, the best policy is made in the middle of the room. With a shout-out to Leadership Women!
Read MoreRepresentative Four Price, House District 87, talks about his work in the Texas Legislature, the impact the data from Panhandle Twenty/20 had on him, about his chairman positions, and how the Texas House has changed over time. Topics besides education include interim charges, opioid and substance abuse, and mental health. Thanks, Four!
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