Texas Community College Teachers Association

07/09/2024

The Criticisms of Higher Education: A Reply

"American higher education is one of the greatest success stories in history. Not only do significant advances in medicine and technology owe their origins to university faculty scholars, but also undergraduate education results in both personal and public benefits. College graduates have greater earning potential than high school graduates, better employability, increased productivity, enhanced communication skills, improved self-confidence, advanced critical thinking skills, broader networks and advancement opportunities, and healthier, happier lives, according to the Education Pays 2023 report. Indeed, American colleges and universities have been the envy of the world."

Read more on HigherEd Jobs:

There are criticisms about the purpose of higher education, the costs and debt, and the curriculum, but many of the complaints are

06/20/2024

Check out TCCTA's New Bylaws!

Thank you to members who voted to accept updated membership dues and conditions of membership. These changes include a small increase in fees and the ability of associate members to have full voting rights along with opportunity to serve the association. These changes were presented by our Resolutions Committee with strong evidence of need and we appreciate your acknowledgement of TCCTA’s ongoing value. These changes will allow us to include more of our members fully, and continue to provide the essential programs and services at the highest quality for which our association is recognized. See the main updates below or follow this link to view the Constitution and Bylaws in full:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D7661WbU8sl831KteSTScXAYpjiGwpcE/view
We appreciate you assisting us in continuing to deliver maximum benefits to each of our members.

Membership Dues and Condition of Membership

Annual dues for the respective categories of membership in the Association shall be as follows:

Section 1. Professional Members—$55.00
Section 2. Associate Members—$45.00
Section 3. Student Members—$35.00
Section 4. Institutional Members. Dues of institutional members shall be based on total head count enrollment for each college district as reported by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the fall semester of the preceding academic year. Institutional membership includes personal TCCTA membership for chancellors and presidents (personal liability insurance not included).

District Headcount
Enrollment Institutional Dues

Fewer than 1,000 .................................$250.00
1,000 to 2,499 .....................................$300.00
2,500 to 4,999 .....................................$375.00
5,000 to 7,499 .....................................$425.00
7,500 to 9,999 .....................................$550.00
10,000 to 14,999 .................................$625.00
15,000 to 19,999 .................................$675.00
20,000 to 24,999 .................................$750.00
25,000 to 29,999 .................................$850.00
30,000 to 34,999 .................................$900.00
35,000 to 39,999 .................................$1000.00
More than 39,999 ................................$1100.00

Professional and association membersshall have the right to vote in elections conducted and business transacted by the organization as hereinafter provided for.

Any resolution presented by a current member must be submitted first to the Resolutions Committee. Bylaws may be amended, with the Executive Committee’s approval, online throughout the year; utilizing a password protected platform to which only current members have access. Any vote for a resolution would require the voting platform to be open for a minimum of two weeks.

06/17/2024

How to be Emotionally Present at Work When You Have Real Stuff Going on at Home

"We all go through hard times. Whether it's managing an illness, supporting a sick family member, going through a divorce, aiding a struggling child, or dealing with a job loss in the family, weathering a crisis is an emotional and logistical undertaking.

Most of us have to work during these difficult stretches, which means we can't navigate them as privately or as independently as we'd like. While this can be challenging, there are benefits to managing stressful times in the comfort of our professional communities. Existing in a known space driven by a familiar routine and populated with supporters can be helpful when we're struggling.

It's important, though, to proceed with a plan. Developing a self-care strategy and remaining realistic about how much you're asking of yourself are key to staying emotionally grounded and present when you're working through a challenging time. Here's what to consider as you get started."

Read more on Higher Ed Jobs:

Most of us have to work during difficult stretches in our lives, which means we can't navigate them as privately or as independentl

05/31/2024

Is This the End of Reading?

"Students are coming to college less able and less willing to read. Professors are stymied.

The first in a series of articles about how today’s traditional-age college students experience the world — and how it affects their education."

Read more by subscribing to the Chronicle:

Students are less able and less willing to read. Professors are stymied. What needs to change?

05/13/2024

Don't worry, it's not too late to register for Great Teaching Round Up, running May 20-23! We still have a handful of spaces left and we would love to slide you into one.

The Great Teaching Round Up differs from most conferences in that the program is created by the participants themselves. The goals of the seminar include:

1. Sharing methods and techniques
2. Celebrating good teaching
3. Creative, realistic problem solving
4. Exploration of new ideas
5. Introspection and self-appraisal
6. Professional and personal renewal

Novice to veteran, rural or urban, year after year, faculty tell us that Great Teaching Round Up is the best transition between the Spring and Summer!

"I have learned so much new information in these four days as opposed to my first year of teaching. The informal settings and atmosphere of the Round Up conference has been wonderful."

"This is my second session in two years and benefited as much this time as the last."

"Too many [insights] to list: new books to read, tips for my own classroom (and I thought I knew everything!), and tips to share with adjuncts and colleagues."

Call 512-328-2044 ext. 3 or email Joe Taito today at, [email protected], to get registered before the May 15th deadline!

05/09/2024

Survey Finds Community College Students Need Better Career Preparation

"The survey found many community college students lack information about how in-demand their fields are, what skills those jobs require and how much they’d earn."

Read more on Inside Higher Ed:

The survey found many community college students lack information about how in-demand their fields are, what skills those jobs require and how much they’d earn.

05/08/2024

Your school could land $50K in Lumina's first-ever Instagram grant challenge!

"Let’s tell a better story about community colleges

From excellent student services to beautiful campus facilities, heartfelt community engagement, and dynamic classroom experiences, community colleges embody the dreams and aspirations of their communities.

But too often, the narrative about who should attend community college (and why) centers on deficit-based framing. These narratives are dominated by competing data points that don’t always paint a complete picture of the range of experiences or the profound impact of a community college education."

Check out more on this article on Lumina!

From excellent student services to beautiful campus facilities, heartfelt community engagement, and dynamic classroom experiences, community colleges embody the dreams and aspirations of their communities.

05/07/2024

Looking for ways to pay for GTR?

Are you wanting to attend TCCTA's Great Teaching Round Up, but just looking for ways to pay for it? Here are some of our suggestions:

1. Faculty and Workforce programs have access to to Perkins Funding that covers opportunities just like this! Be sure to get in touch with your Perkins coordinator to see if they have funds available for you to attend the Round Up

2. If Perkins funds aren't applicable to you, you might check with your Department Chair on the availability with stimulus grants or other funds for professional development

Additionally, we have extended the deadline for registration to Wednesday, May 15th! Register today by logging into your Member Portal to do it all online with ease!

Have any additional questions? Please don't hesitate to call Joe Taito at (512) 328-1086 ext. 3, and he'll be happy to assist you.

We hope to see you in Kerrville in just a couple weeks!

05/06/2024

The TCCTA Executive Committee has begun its search for a new Executive Director for the organization. The goal is to have a new Executive Director start work in June of 2024.

The deadline to apply is Friday, May 10, 2024.

Apply Now!
Use this link to send application information- https://forms.gle/d3ZRyvreU1fN7bWM6

You’ll be prompted to provide:

Some application basics
Your CV/Resume
A Statement of Purpose
Your Leadership Philosophy

Compensation
$90,000-$110,000 yearly, commensurate with experience
Employer-Funded Retirement Plan
Vacation / Sick Leave

If you need additional information, please contact TCCTA 2024-2025 President Janine Fox, at [email protected]

Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

05/06/2024

Hello TCCTA Community!

The wait is over! The April Messenger is now available for viewing on our "Quarterly Messenger" page located on tccta.org under "Resources"

What's next with TCCTA? Great Teaching Round Up is TWO WEEKS away and mark your calendars for Leading from the Middle, July 12-13, 2021!

You also have the opportunity to start to enroll in TCCTA's Fall Faculty Conference this fall.

Finish strong and good luck with finals!

03/26/2024

Are you wondering why you should invest in the Great Teaching Round Up this year?

Here are some GREAT reasons why!

This seminar is for YOU by YOU! The Great Teaching Round Up is dedicated to bringing teachers together to refresh the joy and love of teaching. The facilitators are previous attendees that believe in this seminar and want to connect with new participants and veterans.

Challenge your mind to new ideas and expand your knowledge beyond the thoughts that you're used to. You're already a great teacher, but this experience allows you to explore and discover the great teacher within yourself.

Shape your interpersonal and social-emotional skills with other teachers to go beyond the technical side of teaching and enter the emotional and personal experiences that shape a teacher's personal identity.

You don't have to worry about anything! We know it's a high price but all that means is that when you arrive at the Y.O. Ranch all you need to do is worry about growing your skillset. This immersive experience takes care of lodging and food. All you need to cover is travel!

This is an experience that you don't want to miss at all. Registration is now open at

Some days it seems that much of what faculty are asked to spend their time on takes them further and further from the immediate experience of teaching students. The Great Teaching Round Up is all about the lived reality of working with students and growing in our profession.