Teach the Vote’s Week in Review: April 17, 2025

Date Posted: 4/17/2025
WEEK IN REVIEW: ATPE will be back next week with a full edition of Teach the Vote’s Week in Review, featuring the latest legislative developments and photos from this Tuesday's Capitol Expedition. In the meantime, please read ATPE Executive Director Shannon Holmes’ statement on the House vote on Senate Bill 2.
We also wish to congratulate the recipients of the 2025 ATPE Educator of the Year, Campus Representative of the Year, and Local Unit of the Year awards! The winners will be recognized at the 2025 ATPE Summit, July 7–9 at the JW Marriott Austin Downtown. Please join us at the summit to help celebrate their contributions to Texas public education and ATPE!
Charles Pickitt Educator of the Year Award
- Administrator: Cheryl Tripplett, Beaumont ISD
- Associate: Ashlee Galvan, Corpus Christi ISD
- Elementary: Melanie Gohn, Boerne ISD
- Secondary: Heather Kukuk, Arlington ISD
- Special Services: Michael Renteria, Amarillo ISD
Doug Rogers Campus Representative of the Year Award
- Local units with 1-200 members: Kathy Havens, Wortham ATPE
- Local units with 201-500 members: Katherine Whitbeck, Nacogdoches ATPE
- Local units with 501-1,000 members: Angie McClain, Waxahachie ATPE
- Local units with 1,001+ members: Lena Angel, Katy ATPE
Floyd Trimble Local Unit of the Year Award
- Local units with 1-200 members: Ferris ATPE, Region 10
- Local units with 201-500 members: Nacogdoches ATPE, Region 7
- Local units with 501-1,000 members: Denton ATPE, Region 11
- Local units with 1,001+ members: Katy ATPE, Region 4
- University: University of Houston-Downtown ATPE, Region 4
Here are some links to check out from this week. Share your thoughts and ask our lobby team questions in The Rotunda on the ATPE Online Community.
- SBOE members tackled a wide range of topics, from CTE standards to HB 1605 and middle school advanced mathematics, during their April meeting. Read ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield’s recap of the meeting.
- Tension was high in the Capitol Tuesday as lawmakers prepared for what will likely be their most consequential vote this session. ATPE Lobbyist Tricia Cave has more in this blog post.
- While much of the spotlight was on the House voucher debate this week, several education bills moved along in the Senate. Heather Sheffield has all the details in this blog post.
Happy Easter and end of Passover to all of our readers! We wish you a safe and restful weekend with your family and friends.
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04/17/2025
Statement from ATPE Executive Director Dr. Shannon Holmes on the passage of SB 2
“What we saw yesterday is not the type of government we want in our state nor the type of government we deserve.”

04/17/2025
Busy but short week for the Texas Senate
While much of the spotlight was on the House voucher debate this week, several education bills moved along in the Senate.

04/16/2025
House Public Education hears 12 bills the day before voucher showdown on the House floor
Tension was high in the Capitol as lawmakers prepare for what will likely be their most consequential vote this session.