With the creation of the Teacher Vacancy Task Force last week, teachers have multiple opportunities to share their suggestions for ways to keep teachers in the classroom and attract more people to the profession.

TEA is soliciting input and seeking nominations for teachers to serve on the task force after getting a lot of public criticism for initially including only two teachers among the 28 appointees. On Tuesday, TEA announced it would expand the task force by 24, creating parity between the teachers and the administrators who had already been appointed. TCTA member Jean Streepey of Highland Park ISD is one of the two initial teachers appointed to the task force.

Over the weekend, one of the superintendents on the task force, Dr. Jason Hewitt of Shepherd ISD, posted an online survey to collect input from teachers. As of Tuesday, he reported receiving more than 17,000 comments.

We’re encouraged that TEA responded to the demands for additional teacher representation but still have serious concerns about the focus of the task force. TCTA Executive Director Jeri Stone issued the following statement last week in response to the first meeting of the task force:

TRS Chief Benefit Officer Barbie Pearson will join us at 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, April 5, to discuss what educators need to know to get ready for retirement, including time frames and what the process looks like. We’ll include time for general questions from members during this 30-minute webinar, so be sure to submit yours when you sign up using this link.

What do you want to ask TCTA? Email questions or topic suggestions for the May 3 webinar to communications@tcta.org. Watch replays from previous Tuesdays with TCTA sessions on demand at tcta.org/twt.

On Friday, March 18, TRS-Care policyholders will be issued a one-time payment of $448.12 in the form of a paper check or direct deposit.

The payment was authorized by the TRS Board in response to Senate Bill 8, which designated $286 million in federal pandemic relief funds to help offset any TRS-Care and ActiveCare premium increases due to coronavirus-related claims. TRS-Care premiums did not increase. TRS-ActiveCare premiums will be set by the board in April.

TRS-Care members who receive paper checks will receive their one-time payments through the mail and should account for mailing time. For more information, please visit One-Time Payments for TRS-Care.

A school district employee was convicted of sexual assault of a child, improper relationship between an educator and a student and tampering with evidence. He appealed his convictions to the Texas Court of Appeals, which reviewed the evidence presented at trial.

The defendant, who worked as a computer technician, volunteered to coach softball for his daughter's team. His daughter developed a friendship with a teammate who began to spend weekends with the daughter at the defendant's home. At trial, the girl testified that she began a romantic relationship with the defendant that continued for three to four years. Click here to read more.

At 1 p.m. CDT on April 5, the U.S. Department of Education's Education, Innovation and Research Webinar Series continues with "Designing and Implementing Social Emotional Learning Programs to Promote Equity." Learn more about key components of successful equity-centered SEL programs and ask questions. Register for the free session here. Can't attend live? Sign up and get a link to watch the replay. Click here to learn more about the webinar series.

The State Board of Education is accepting nominations for the 2022 Heroes for Children Award through July 15. The program recognizes Texas residents who give time, service or support to public schools. Students may be nominated for the award, but elected officials and educational employees are ineligible for consideration. Each SBOE member selects one award recipient from their district. Last year’s recipients collectively donated 210 years of service to public schools.

Schlitterbahn in Galveston is now open for the 2022 season, and the New Braunfels park opens April 15. TCTA members can save on admission using our special codes. Click here to buy tickets.

Check out all of TCTA's cost-saving programs for deals at hundreds of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, including LaQuinta by Wyndham, rental cars, admission to other theme parks, movies, zoos, museums, concerts and more.

There's still time to enter the TicketsatWork March sweepstakes. Get one entry per day when you log in to your TicketsatWork account through March 31. (Note your TAW account is separate from your TCTA username/password.) Not yet a member? Sign up using Company Code SWTCTA today.