I was invited to attend the 2025 HEB Excellence in Education Awards Sunday night in Austin, and it was nothing short of amazing.  As a first time attendee, I witnessed inspiring acceptance speeches from winners, as well as the keynote address from Admiral William H. McRaven.  As one of the winners stated (and I'm paraphrasing), "these are tough times for teachers, but it's important that we keep going back into the fire and getting the job done".  

Special congratulations goes to the two TREA schools represented:  

https://mailchi.mp/uteach/april_2025?e=3872833e78

https://mailchi.mp/44ea89f9ffa1/dhedf-rural-stem-initiative-special-announcement-oct-2024-issue-18135650?e=228d62bca7

Remember that TREA member districts can sign up for free, just follow the directions on this link.  

https://usarec.ent.box.com/s/1ytgt4szrbn9wc72h91k4mwi7c2asoeg/file/1699330887970

I was honored to be a part of the U.S. Army Education Tour at Fort Stewart last year.  The military is a great avenue for some our rural students who want to get an education and learn valuable skills.  Respectfully, Bill.  

1. VEX Robotics

 Jason McKenna of VEX Robotics will do a one-hour virtual presentation to DHEDF Rural STEM Initiative Participating School Leadership on the date and time indicated below:

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https://ig.utexas.edu/tsgc/k-12-education/

Please check out these resources and events available through TSGC, and pass this link/information on to your staff and others as you see fit.  

TREA is excited to announce a new FREE service to our member districts and their staff members.  This professional development offers many 6 hour modules in a variety of topics you can use as local credit for your PD needs.  This service is available now, and goes through May of 2026.   Please see the link below to set up your account and access the modules, free of charge.  If you have any questions, contact Bill Tarleton or Jared Bigham at [email protected]

https://learn.mycredential.com/dashboard/?invite=369d3902aeb06fac2ceecaa97825e275

https://charlesbuttfdn.org/news/highlights-2024/

Thanks for all the work this Foundation does for Public Education!

https://lemelson.mit.edu/inventeams

Thanks to our friends at DHEDF Rural STEM for letting us know about this.  Are you a TREA member district and not receiving DHEDF Newsletters?  Contact Bill Tarleton at [email protected]  

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/TXTEA/bulletins/3cf4b6c

We know you have these awesome students in your TREA Member District Schools, let's get them nominated!

 https://benetech.zoom.us/webinar/register/6517346447126/WN_n7mvOmPmRqW8MbnDqn0crw#/registration

https://myparistexas.com/paris-isd-cte-robotics-team-competes-in-greenville-vexv5rc-67-classic/

TREA has partnered with TWC and RECF for four years to award over 50 Vex Robotics Kits.  Find out how your district can be a part of this by checking out our Newsletters, TXREA app,  and out website.