Seventy-five conference attendees originating from all over the state braved the cold, freezing rain, and snow to attend the 32nd Annual TAAE conference held February 2-4, 2022 in Austin, TX. A Genius Bar on Wednesday night opened the pre-conference. Thursday’s opening session awards went to Tuloso-Midway Academic Career Center’s “Passport to Success” for Best Practices in Alternative Education and to Mr. Allan Colvin, Alternative Education Administrator of the Year. He currently serves as the Pride Academy and DAEP Principal at Brenham ISD. Each award was $500. Mr. Axel Arrendondo, a senior at Corsicana High School and Ms. Jessica Moore from Teague High School were the recipients of the $1000 Taylor Marceau Scholarship this year.
TAAE: Rebuild & Restore conference allowed attendees to witness six schools showcased this year along with a free resource library. Ample books, programs, and resource manuals allowed attendees to select from a wealth of resources beneficial to conference attendees and their respective campuses. A silent auction, a 50/50 split raffle, and TAAE shirt sales this year helped raise funds for scholarships.
Friday’s schedule included Chapter 37 and Accountability updates with T.E.A.’s Mrs. Mary Scott. The Law Dawg, Jim Walsh, educated attendees on the current legislative happenings since Covid-19 and current laws passed at the legislative session. The final keynote address was Comedy Magician Mr. Dewayne Hill. Mr. Hill mesmerized the audience with laughter and magic. Conference attendees were awestruck asking “How’d he do that?” Mr. Hill closed with a portion of his own testimony and encouraged attendees to write that book and share their own story. Alternative educators and administrators have continued to restore and rebuild during this pandemic. Students are reaching their full potential and attendees are present for this occasion. Wrapping up this 32nd annual conference was simply magical. Thank you to everyone who played a role and a part in it. Please mark your calendars for February 1-3, 2023 in Austin, TX for TAAE’s 33rd annual conference.