Dear #TeamTSTA,
Welcome to the 147th House of Delegates of the Texas State Teachers Association.
Our guiding theme this year, Power Through Solidarity: Advancing Racial and Social Justice Together, captures both our purpose and our responsibility. Gatherings like this remind us why we do this work: to learn from one another, to reconnect, and to honor the daily commitment we bring to public education across Texas.
As we look ahead to an important election cycle, we have a meaningful opportunity to support leaders who value and invest in our public schools. The choices made in the coming months will directly shape our classrooms and the conditions in which our members serve. In a climate where public education continues to face persistent challenges, our role as advocates has never been more critical. Every conversation we have and every effort we make to highlight the value of our schools strengthens our collective voice.
We have consistently raised our voices on issues that matter, including student and educator safety, equitable access to education, immigration, staffing shortages, gun violence, and the importance of honest, inclusive curricula. These are not abstract concerns; they reflect the real experiences of our students and colleagues. We speak out because we witness the impact firsthand.
Despite longstanding gaps in support from the state, educators continue to show up with dedication and pride for their students and communities. That commitment deserves recognition, and it demands action. We must continue pressing our elected leaders to address the true challenges facing public education, rather than diverting essential resources away from neighborhood schools through privatization efforts.
The future of Texas depends on the success of our students. Ensuring that they are prioritized requires more than the efforts of educators alone. It calls for strong partnerships, engaged communities, and accountability from those in positions of power. Progress is built through unity, through people coming together with a shared purpose.
Our strength lies in that unity. When we organize, when we vote, and when we stand together, we create real momentum. As members of TSTA, we harness that shared strength to push forward meaningful change so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
We will continue to stand firm, whether in advocacy, in public action, or in defense of our schools and our profession. Your work, your voice, and your commitment make this movement possible.
Thank you for the dedication you have already shown, for the work you continue to do, and for the leadership you will bring in the days ahead. The challenges before us are significant, but they are not insurmountable. Together, by supporting one another and staying united in purpose, we will continue building a stronger future for our students, our colleagues, and our communities.
As I prepare to conclude my term at the end of this summer after 12 years of service as an officer of this union, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside each of you. Thank you for the partnership, the shared purpose, and the lasting memories we have built together.
Ovidia Molina, TSTA president