2012 TCTA Annual Convention

February 10-11, 2012
Westin Galleria Hotel
Houston, Texas

Join your colleagues from across the state for the 2012 Annual Convention of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston, February 10-11. The TCTA Representative Assembly will elect statewide officers and district directors, and help TCTA grow stronger by voting on proposed revisions to the TCTA governance documents. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn continuing professional education credits at numerous mini-conference sessions.

Convention delegate registration is required (deadline January 27). Register for the TCTA Convention NOW for a chance to win a free TCTA membership for the 2012-13 year. One winner will be selected from the first 100 registrants and will be announced at the Convention.

Thursday, February 9

TCTA awards banquet: A night to remember 

This inspiring event on Thursday evening will honor recipients of TCTA’s 2011-12 awards for excellence in the field of education (business/cocktail attire is requested). Tickets for the banquet are required and reservations must be made by January 27, 2012 (see ticket order form). Friend of Education award winners in the public official and private citizen categories will be recognized during the first business meeting of the Representative Assembly on Friday afternoon.

Friday, February 10

Keynote Address: “Never Let Them See You Blink”

TCTA is pleased to welcome Vicki Sanderson of Dallas who will lighten your load and your mood with her motivational presentation, “Never Let Them See You Blink.” Sanderson’s energy-packed address will help you remain positive and stay the course despite the escalating demands on teachers and the shrinking amount of support. A former speech/debate and drama teacher, Sanderson has spent the last 20 years as an educational consultant, national speaker, humorist and writer. Join us for this inspirational presentation opening the Convention on Friday. You will leave excited to return to your classroom and reminded of why you’re part of the world’s most honorable profession.

Elections

Elections for TCTA officers and Directors’ Council positions are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 10, following the close of the second business meeting. Delegates will select TCTA’s 2012-13 President-Elect and statewide chairs for the Budget, Curriculum and Instruction, and Teacher Personal Services committees. 

Saturday, February 11

Workshop/Focus Groups

On Saturday, you may attend a one-hour financial planning presentation, Three Secrets to a Wealthy and Happy Life, or you may share your ideas and strategies in one of three focus groups (limit 12 attendees per session). Both events are free, but preregistration is required (see ticket order form).

ACT For TCTA Silent Auction

Want to make sure your voice is heard? Stop by the silent auction at the ACT For TCTA booth on Friday or Saturday and nurture TCTA’s political action committee. The auction will feature an array of items donated by TCTA Coordinating Councils and local affiliates. ACT For TCTA is funded by voluntary donations from TCTA members and is designed to increase educators’ visibility with political candidates and elected officials and enhance TCTA’s input in the political process.

Hotel and Transportation

The TCTA 2012 Annual Convention will be held at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Houston at 5060 West Alabama Street.  Hotel reservations may be made by calling the Westin Oaks directly at (713) 960-8100 or (800) 937-8461, or online. 

The TCTA special group rate for SuperShuttle is $21 each way between Hobby Airport and the Westin, and $22 each way between Bush Intercontinental Airport and the Westin. If you plan to take a cab, you may want to share a ride: cab fare between Hobby Airport and the Westin is approximately $37 each way, and between Bush Intercontinental Airport and the Westin is approximately $58 each way. To make SuperShuttle reservations go here, for more information, download the PDF at the bottom of this page.

CPE Credits Available

The TCTA Convention provides multiple opportunities for you to meet some of the State Board for Educator Certification CPE requirements for certificate renewal. TCTA is an approved SBEC provider of professional development, and you will receive a certificate of participation for sessions you attend. [NOTE: Whether these CPE credits will also count toward local school district professional development requirements is a matter of local district discretion.]

Find Mini-Conference details here.

Additional Information

Special needs will be accommodated upon request. Please notify Jan Lanfear at webmaster@tcta.org or (888) 879-8282 by January 27, 2012.