Allen Reese

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

When I was a high school principal, I interviewed a teacher named Jake Huggins. He seemed like a good candidate—friendly, experienced, and thoughtful. I believed he could be a solid addition to our faculty. But any lingering doubt disappeared when he answered one particular question. It has always been my favorite.

I asked him, “Jake, in every school in America, you can place teachers on a continuum. On one end are those who don’t seem to want to be there. They’re always complaining. Their colleagues wonder why they haven’t retired yet. They drain the energy of the building. But on the other end are teachers who are excited to come to work. They love their students. They value their colleagues. They lift the spirits of everyone around them. When graduates come back, these are the teachers they want to see.

So Jake… what’s the difference between these two teachers? What is the X factor? Because that’s what we’re looking for.”

Most teachers answer that question by talking about passion. Or purpose. Or the desire to make a difference rather than just earn a paycheck. Those are good answers. But Jake said something different—something I’ve never forgotten.

He said, “I think almost every teacher starts out idealistic. They love kids. They want to change the world. But after a few years, you hit a wall. You realize how hard this job really is. There are endless papers to grade. Some students make it incredibly challenging to teach. And parents aren’t always supportive.

Some teachers never move past that reality check. They burn out. But others do. They keep their sense of purpose in spite of the challenges. The work is hard, but they remain convinced it matters. Some students are difficult, but they know those students need someone who refuses to give up on them. They face adversity, but they don’t let it steal their passion. Those are the teachers who make a difference year after year.”

We hired Jake.

A few years later he was named the school’s Teacher of the Year.

So today, I salute Jake—and every educator who has faced that “reality check” and chosen to keep going. The ones who remember their whyon the hard days. The ones who refuse to let frustration turn into cynicism. The ones who continue to believe, even when the work is exhausting.

Because those are the teachers who change lives.
And they do it… year after year.

Cheers,

Danny

[Allen Reese @Allen_Reese]

@MadMaxCrypto08 @billyliucci This is the way.

[Gina Hinojosa @GinaHinojosaTX]

This “record” new funding is almost $10 Billion below what schools need to reach 2019 spending power and leaves Texas teachers below national average in pay.

That’s what happens when you also set the “record” for the most years with no new money for schools, Governor.

[Military Support @MilitaryCooI]

Gave me goosebumps.

Makes me proud to see this 🫡

[Chandra Villanueva 🦏 @ChandraKus]

HB 2 is not a historic level of funding (HB 72 from 1984 was $14B in today's dollars). This bill overly complicates an already complex system in order to exert control over districts. #txlege #txed

[Scott Lucas @_ScottLucas]

Very well said.

[Troy Mooney @TroyMooney]

From afar, it appears the prevailing view in TXLege Senate is this: Parents know best, except when they choose a public school. Teachers know best, except when they work in a public school. School administrators know best except when they are public school administrators. Educators can be trusted, except when they work in public schools. Voters know best except when they vote for public school bonds.

[Kimberly Reeves @edwonkkimmy]

The Senate has steamrolled the House on school finance, and House members are not having it. When you see the Dem flyer that @PhilJankowski posted with his story, it's the bottom line: There is no basic allotment increase in the Senate bill.

[MothersAgainstGregAbbottPAC/MothersforDemocracyPAC @MomsAGAbbott]

Private School kids are getting between $10,000-$30,000 per student in vouchers while our public school kids get a basic allotment of $6,160 per student. The Senate is sitting on the Pub Ed funding bill, and they think that adding $55 is going to cut it? What a joke! #txlege

[Phil Jankowski 🌟 @PhilJankowski]

Rep. @jamestalarico statement on the committee sub of House Bill 2, which slashes the basic allotment increase #txlege

[Gina Hinojosa @GinaHinojosaTX]

.@GovAbbott should quit paying lip service to our teachers & actually pay them their worth.

Texas teachers make about $10,000 below the natl average.

@GregAbbott_TX held hostage teacher pay last year because #txlege did not pass his taxpayer-funded voucher scam.

[Dr. James Whitfield @DrJamesWhit]

Greg, miss me with ALL this! You've done nothing but target teachers with harmful rhetoric.

TX teachers are great, but imagine if you fully funded public ed instead of catering to donors who want to use public $ for private schools!

Stop playing games with our kids' education!!

[Forrest Wilder @Forrest4Trees]

One of the most important charts for Texas: Attendance in public schools is holding steady while funding continues to drop. What we're witnessing is an historic disinvestment from public education.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Veteran teachers are the backbone of education. They’ve endured all the reasons some teachers leave the field. They also survived the latest programs, initiatives, & testing. They have much wisdom, experience & expertise if leaders are willing to listen. Value & appreciate them!

[Scott Braddock @scottbraddock]

Budget buster:
Arizona’s school voucher experiment has precipitated a budget meltdown. The state this year faced a $1.4 billion budget shortfall, much of which was a result of the new voucher spending
https://t.co/X9lxiAG2dS

[Allen Reese @Allen_Reese]

@ikedreyes Mumford Mustangs in BOTH Milam County and Brazos County. Belongs in Robertson County. You’re doing a great job!

[Allen Reese @Allen_Reese]

@ikedreyes Mumford Mustangs in Robertson County

[Allen Reese @Allen_Reese]

@KBTXRusty It’s not good today.

[David DeMatthews @DrDeMatt]

Vouchers aren't driven by evidence but by billionaires funneling millions into state elections. Texas's independence is being sold by opportunistic politicians swapping a proven loser of a policy (ineffective, inefficient, & discriminatory) for power. Our kids deserve better. @TFN @TheArcofTexas @tasanet @TexasAFT @tasbnews @MomsAGAbbott @txstateteachers @DianeRavitch @OfficialATPE @pastors4txkids @TeachTheVote @texascta @txstatepta @Menendez4Texas @GinaForAustin #txed

[Randy Pittenger @randypittenger]

🚨VOTE🚨
If you are a public school educator, you cannot sit this one out. Far too many educators choose not to vote, so candidates supported by mega-donors looking to profit off our kids, win due to low voter turnout. I support public education and I vote!
#WeCanDoBetterTexas