Yesterday, I sent a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott requesting that he declare our state's Teacher Retirement System an emergency item in the upcoming legislative session, which could allow the legislature to more quickly address this crisis. #Txlege

We should also let counselors do their jobs of caring for student mental health, rather than focusing on standardized tests. Make sure you (and your friends and family) know Senator Bob Hall went out of his way last session to make our schools less safe, authoring SB 1316.

The upcoming legislative session is another chance for comprehensive overhaul and with new, pro-education lawmakers, it WILL happen. Electing more of the same can only continue to hurt our students, our state, and your wallet. #TXlege #TXed dallasnews.com/opinion/editor…

Texas should be the state that leads the way in getting behind our public school teachers and making sure TRS finally pays a cost of living adjustment. texastribune.org/2018/07/18/tex…

Educators did everything the state asked of them (& more), but TX isn’t holding up its end of the bargain. Many live on fixed incomes, w/ skyrocketing healthcare costs. They cannot afford another hit, this time on an assumed rate of return for investments. #TXed #TRS #TXlege

Our retired educators are suffering because a group of politicians made poor choices—that they would never make for themselves. chrisardis.blogspot.com/2018/07/more-b…

Retirees and current educators: The action of the non educator appointees to the TRS Board of Trustees started the process today of ending or drastically changing your defined benefit. If we remain silent, those who want to end your annuity will win. Voting matters!!

This morning, I attended a property tax presentation delivered by a prominent Republican. He presented the budget language that says property taxes “shall be increased..." He showed the TEA letter to schools saying they MUST keep rates high or lose funding. Everyone was stunned.

In my 21 yrs of teaching, I've used many classroom management strategies--clips, checks, charts--name it, I've tried it, but I've become more and more convinced that effective classroom management comes out of building relationships and knowing when to pick a battle #teacherlife

TEA predicts reduction in state’s gen revenue for public education, as more $ comes from property taxes. Sure, if we keep same legislators, many whom couldn’t care less about #TXed. OR we can send folks like me to protect schools, educators & taxpayers! bit.ly/2p95Sdv

Is there a difference between happiness and inner peace? Yes. Happiness depends on conditions being perceived as positive; inner peace does not.

This elementary school principal shared his take on the college admissions scandal in a video that has now gone viral. He says it’s not surprising at all because some parents often break basic rules. “We have rules for a reason...” cnn.it/2ULvK0k

Thank you, Henri. These are the lies that keep us small, afraid and quiet.

Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at this moment.

Often you have to chose between right and relationship. Always chose to continue a positive relationship over choosing to be right...especially in dealing with parents. Just because you have a right to say something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to say.

Please avoid magical thinking. Be upright and make decisions and engage in behaviors that are caring and deeply sensible. Keep your ego out of this please and not spread fear. Be a role model of responsibility and compassion.

Please be patient with your teachers and campuses. We have a good plan, but it will take all of us to make it a success. I know as a team that “We can do this!

Here are the bed and ventilator capacity totals for Wednesday, as reported by 12 hospitals in City of Dallas pursuant to the order I issued on Monday: Total beds: 4,343 Beds occupied: 2,267 Total ICU beds: 565 ICU beds occupied: 315 Total ventilators: 622 Ventilators in use: 188