Join us in Waco for The Summit: A Shared Voice for Texas Public Education - a flagship convening bringing together educators, trustees, advocacy partners, and education-friendly business leaders to align around one goal: strengthening public trust and advancing a unified statewide voice for Texas public schools ahead of the 2026 legislative session.

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Through interactive panels and roundtable discussions, participants will unpack why advocacy efforts remain fragmented, learn from successful statewide campaigns, and collaborate on key messages that build trust from classrooms to the Capitol. This isn’t another panel-heavy event; it’s a working session where every participant contributes, connects, and leaves with clarity on next steps.

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We’ll provide lunch, beverages, and light snacks, plus time to network before the evening’s Friends of the Year Dinner so you end the day energized and aligned.

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By the end of the Summit, participants will:​

• Clarify key K–12 challenges and align on shared messages that strengthen statewide advocacy.

• Gather 2–3 concrete strategies or resources to apply locally and share through the Friends network.

• Build cross-region relationships and identify collaboration points with partner organizations, TEA rulemakers, and legislative offices.

• Contribute to a unified “Shared Voice Toolkit” capturing statewide messaging themes and best practices.

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Participant deliverable: Each attendee will complete a one-page Action Plan capturing (1) a priority issue, (2) a 30-day next step, (3) two follow-up contacts, and (4) resources to share or request. These will feed into the post-event Shared Voice Toolkit distributed statewide.

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When & where: November 12, 2025 • 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. • 4th floor Baylor Club • McLane Stadium • Waco, TX
Part of A Day with Friends, leading into the Friends of the Year Dinner.

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Partnering Organizations:

Panelists:

• Amy Dodson, Raise Your Hand Texas

• Brian Woods, TASA

• Cindy Moses, TCASE

• John Tanner, bravEd

• Josh Sanderson, Equity Center

• Kelly Rasti, TASB

• Michelle Jackson, Texas PTA

• Missy Bender, Texas School Coalition

• Monty Exter, ATPE.

• Rev. Charles Foster Johnson, Pastors for Texas Children

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Table Talk Facilitators:​

• TALAS – Dr. Celina Estrada Thomas

• TASMUS – Dr. Jim Chadwell

• TASBO – Dr. Tracy Ginsburg

• TASSP – Leti Menchaca

• TCASE – Dr. Andrea Chevalier

• TEPSA – Mark Terry

• TREA – Bill Tarleton

• TSPRA – Patti Pawlik-Perales

• We Go Public – Lisa Losasso-Jackson