Kelley Thomas

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

Texas CTE educators — your voice is needed at the state level.

The Texas Education Agency (@teainfo) is accepting applications for the State CTE Leadership Committee, a strategic advisory body made up of one representative per ESC region. Members work directly with TEA's College, Career, and Military Preparation Division to shape statewide CTE policy and programs.
What's involved:

Quarterly webinars (~3 hours each) + one in-person meeting
1- or 2-year term beginning September 1, 2026
Providing feedback grounded in local and regional CTE experience

Applications are due May 29, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. CDT.
https://t.co/quAeQoTzZp

Know someone who would be a great fit? Tag them below or share this post.
#TexasCTE #CareerReady #RaiseYourHandTexas #TEA #CTELeadership

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

While the STAAR test provides a snapshot of Texas schools, Raise Your Hand Texas supports a more rigorous accountability system, one that measures the full scope of a student’s learning. Our current A-F system oversimplifies school quality by overlooking high-impact programming such as CTE programs, fine arts, and dual-language instruction.

To truly understand school quality, we can also look at additional indicators like:
🔹 Extracurricular and co-curricular participation
🔹 Parent and student surveys on school climate
🔹 Health, safety, and family engagement indicators

It’s time for an accountability system as complex and high-achieving as our students.
Read our full "Measure What Matters" report on our website: https://t.co/QD2ZCrje2C

#TxEd #MeasureWhatMatterTX

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

It’s the last day of early voting, and every candidate needs to know that Texans expect bold progress, not temporary fixes, in our accountability system for our public schools.

Make sure your candidate knows that public schools are important to Texans before election day on Tuesday, March 3: https://t.co/zlHlb7gfPV

#MeasureWhatMattersTX #BeyondTheFallingSTAAR #TxEd #TxLege #TexasPublicSchools #AFRatings #TexasElections #STAAR

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

Texas state standardized tests do not reflect the diverse ways our schools prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

We need an accountability system that measures student growth and learning through multiple lenses.

It takes just 30 seconds to send a message to your candidates: https://t.co/zlHlb7gfPV

#MeasureWhatMattersTX #BeyondTheFallingSTAAR #TxEd #TxLege #TexasPublicSchools #AFRatings #TexasElections #STAAR #FundTheFuture

[Texas PTA @txstatepta]

Know an educator who goes the extra mile? Share the Love by nominating a teacher, principal, or superintendent who champions family engagement and student success. Award recipients are recognized at LAUNCH! 🍎���️

Details: https://t.co/w5ONznwaDa

[Kelley Thomas @KJT72]

Congratulations to one and all! I'm looking forward to those in my region learning and growing!

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

Raise Your Hand Texas has announced the launch of its inaugural Community Leaders Fellowship, naming 29 grant awardees to its first cohort. As the premier program within the organization’s newly established Education Advocacy Academy, the Fellowship is the next evolution of the successful Trustee Advocates Program, expanding its reach to include a diverse coalition of community voices.

The Community Leaders Fellowship is an 18-month program designed to equip local teams — composed of parents, educators, business leaders, and school trustees — with the tools and skills necessary to find, use and amplify their voices in state education policy.

The following school districts have been selected as Grant Awardees for Cohort 1 of the Raise Your Hand Texas Community Leaders Fellowship:

Abilene ISD @abileneisd
Alamo Heights ISD @AHISD
Arp ISD @ArpISD
Belton ISD @BeltonISD
Canutillo ISD @CanutilloISD
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD @CFBISD
Cedar Hill ISD @cedarhillisd
Cleburne ISD @CleburneISD
Comanche ISD @Comanche_ISD
Corpus Christi ISD @CCISD
Eanes ISD @EanesISD
Early ISD @earlyisd
Granbury ISD @granburyisd
Gregory-Portland ISD @GPISD1
Harlingen CISD @HarlingenCISD
Lake Dallas ISD @LakeDallasISD
Lewisville ISD @LewisvilleISD
Liberty Hill ISD @libertyhillisd
Lyford CISD @lyfordcisd
Martin’s Mill ISD
North Lamar ISD @nlamarisd
Paris ISD
Plano ISD @PlanoSchools
Port Aransas ISD @PortAransasISD
San Marcos CISD @SanMarcosCISD
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD @SCUCISD
Shiner ISD @ShinerISD
Splendora ISD @SplendoraISD
Wylie ISD (Taylor County) @WylieISD

For more information about the program, visit https://t.co/FLVmKhXirj.

#CommunityLeadersFellowship #TxEd #TxLege

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

🎉 Happy New Year, Texas! 🎊

As we step into 2026, we aren't just celebrating a new calendar year—we’re celebrating a new chapter for our 5.5 million public school students. May this year be filled with the progress and support our schools deserve. Here’s to a year of soaring dreams and a "Legacy" of investment in our future! 🌟

Cheers to the work ahead. Let’s make it an amazing year for #TxEd!

#TexasPublicSchools #FundTheFuture #TxLege

[Kelley Thomas @KJT72]

Excited to continue my journey advocating for Texas Public Schools with @RYHTexas. Let's get together and make an impact!

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

It’s time to wrap up our 13 Days of Regional Advocacy Directors! On our final day, we want to highlight Kelley and some of her incredible contributions to public education in Texas! An award-winning advocate and PTA leader, Kelley connects families, districts, and policymakers to strengthen public education throughout Texas.

Follow her at @RYHT_CollnDentn for upcoming events and legislative updates!

#TxEd #TxLege #CollinCounty #DentonCounty #DFW #NorthTexas

[Kelley Thomas @KJT72]

Friends in Texas, I wouldn't post this here on my personal page if I didn't think this was an important opportunity that needs to be acted on quickly. Read below for all the details or just click https://t.co/i36L8L9zeq TIA!

[Kelley Thomas - Regional Advocacy Director @RYHT_CollnDentn]

Hello TX Public Education friends ... there's a unique opportunity to contact candidates for TX Senate and House seats up for election for the 90th Legislative session NOW! How you ask? By spending 30 seconds! Click on https://t.co/0YT4wwmrWf.

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

The Raise Your Hand Texas Community Leaders Fellowship is still open for applications!
This 18-month program is designed to equip teams aligned with local independent school districts with skills to effectively advocate for public education in their own communities.

This program will help you develop a deeper understanding of public education and the legislative process, while also teaching valuable skills in community engagement.

Don't miss the deadline, apply now: https://t.co/cI9YqmQfmC

#TxEd #TxLege #CommunityLeadersFellowship #TexasPublicSchools #TexasLeaders

[Texas PTA @txstatepta]

Apply now for the 2025–2026 Shirley Igo Award! 📚 🔗 https://t.co/nkXVCbbnWH. Deadline: December 5th!

Does your PTA partner with your school library to inspire a love of reading? For details on how to apply, visit 👉 https://t.co/u2VvoxH793

[Texas PTA @txstatepta]

Are you a graduating senior? Are you a current faculty member planning to continue your education? Texas PTA awards $1,000 to deserving graduating students and $500 to deserving faculty members to further their education. 💸

🔗 Visit https://t.co/XLfDfeMhqW to learn more!

[RaiseYourHandTexas @RYHTexas]

Is your school's story being heard? Across Texas, school leaders, parents, and community members are coming together to find their collective voice and influence education policy.

The Advocacy Summit is your chance to learn how. You'll cultivate the knowledge and skills to effectively share your school's unique story and amplify the voices of those who believe in its success. You’ll leave with a roadmap, tools, and techniques to build an effective advocacy plan and a stronger school community.

Don't miss this chance to start building a stronger future for your school. Register today at https://t.co/vLiUV3tPm1

#TxEd #TxLege #TexasPublicSchools #TexasPubEd #AdvocacySummit #

[Texas PTA @txstatepta]

We are celebrating our 116th anniversary! 🥳
Texas PTA has worked to empower families, engage communities, & advocate for every child’s potential. To our incredible members and volunteers, thank you for building this legacy of service & commitment.❤️https://t.co/lAL3pUaE4X

[Texas PTA @txstatepta]

The search is on for a new 2027-28 Reflections theme! 🎨 The student who submits the chosen theme will receive $100 and gain national recognition! 💰👏

Deadline to submit your ideas is Nov. 5th. 🔗 https://t.co/adDgsXS49L

For more info, visit: https://t.co/XBWEEZy8be.

[Kelley Thomas @KJT72]

@txstatepta Happy birthday 🎂

[Texas PTA @txstatepta]

Bring exciting, high-impact programs to your school with funding from National PTA! Whether it’s PTA Connected, STEM + Families, Healthy Lifestyles or Reflections, PTA programs show the power of PTA & help boost student success. ✨

👉 Apply now: https://t.co/jg32lk955Y

[Kelley Thomas @KJT72]

Want to know how your money is used when you invest in the Plano ISD Education Foundation? We will fund 28 programs & initiatives to support students, families & staff in Plano ISD! Support the work of the Foundation by donating on #NorthTexasGivingDay!
https://t.co/FnJ0zPLxqt

[Kelley Thomas @KJT72]

Look at what's happening in Texas! This is PTA!

[NationalPTA @NationalPTA]

Having conversations with teenagers about online behavior and safety can be challenging. To give their families the tools they need to have open discussions about these important topics, West Brook High School PTA, which serves a diverse Title I community in Beaumont, Texas, used their grant from National PTA and TikTok to host a Create with Kindness event. Learn more about their event and how your PTA can host a Create with Kindness event at your school. https://t.co/cLrrkJGwZM

[NationalPTA @NationalPTA]

Just as our bodies need nutrition and exercise, we also need to care for the health of our minds. See our free tips and tools at https://t.co/D3z3rWVK1N.