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 what early educators need and what they are getting.

If we want new educators to succeed and see the teaching profession as a sustainable career, perhaps the answer lies less in recruiting and more in retention. As the leading educator association in Texas, ATPE advocates for teachers both at the Capitol in August and in Washington, D.C., as well as with state agencies and regulatory boards such as the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). As a founding member of the Texas Coalition for Educator Preparation (TCEP), we are working to ensure that teacher candidates coming through the pipeline are being assessed fairly across the board.

Research shows that engagement with professional organizations is key for retaining quality teachers, but what exactly do new teachers want and need from an educator association? And what support and/or resources does ATPE provide to address both the changes to the teacher preparation landscape and the issue of growing vacancies across the state?

In this episode of The ATPE Podcast, three ATPE staff members who are all former educators—Engagement & Learning Specialist Andrea Hutlock, Lobbyist Tricia Cave, and Membership Specialist Dr. Cynthia Villalovos—discuss the role of professional educator associations in addressing recruitment and retention issues in Texas.