Texas Association of Future Educators

The Ronald Reagan High School chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) attended the TAFE Teach Tomorrow Summit in McAllen, TX. TAFE is a statewide co-curricular Career and Technical Student Organization created to allow young men and women an opportunity to explore the teaching profession. Attendees to this three-day conference included members of TAFE, which consisted of approximately 2,300 students, interested in becoming educators. The conference gave these students the opportunity to meet others from around the state with the same interests, gain an understanding of what it takes to be a successful college student, and learn the skills necessary for becoming a successful educator. This year’s conference theme was “Adventures in Teaching!”.

TAFE’s mission is to encourage students to learn about careers in education and assist them in exploring the teaching profession while promoting character, service, and leadership skills necessary for becoming effective educators. The meeting featured a series of breakout sessions and general sessions in which members had opportunities to develop these skills.

The competitive events are designed to offer future educators exciting, authentic opportunities to measure their creativity, skills, and initiative against high standards and against their peers from across the state. There are 35 competitive events and 19 of those events advance to nationals.  While at the conference, nine Ronald Reagan High School students participated in competitive events.  Safiya Safri  and Emma McPherson won Blue Ribbons in Interactive Bulletin Board-Elementary school and Chapter yearbook. Ayleen Gonzalez won a blue ribbon in Interactive Bulletin Board Elementary School.

Julia Gonzales won a blue ribbon in Interactive Bulletin Board middle school and teacher created materials elementary school. Maria Viramontes won a red ribbon in Interactive Bulletin Board High School. Allison Lusca and Kylie Parziale won a blue ribbon for Teacher Created materials middle school.

Maria Viramontes & Allison Lusca won a blue ribbon for Project Visualize-Appreciation. Emma McPherson won a Gold Certificate for Portfolio.  In Education Leadership Fundamentals Katherine King and Emma McPherson won Silver certificates and Safiya Safri, Ayleen Gonzalez, Maria Viramontes and Kylie Parziale won Bronze certificates.

On Saturday afternoon, the new officer team for 2020-2021 was elected to continue the mission of TAFE and to inspire “The Hope for Tomorrow.” “It is my hope that the students left the conference with a greater understanding of the education field, a clear vision of how to get into college to pursue their dreams, and knowledge of what it takes to be successful in college,” Donita Garza, TAFE State Program Director.