Thirty-Five Years of Texas Association of Administrators and Supervisors of Programs for Young Children

By: Vicki Reynolds and Dr. Sharon Jackson

Historical Overview: Honoring the Past

TAASPYC began in the 1991-1992 school year as a group of public school administrators and early education marketers gathered in conversation and ended up forming an organization that supported early education leaders in Texas then and supports us today. Happy 35th anniversary, TAASPYC!

Latrelle Johnson with San Antonio ISD and Vicki Reynolds of the Texas company Reynolds Manufacturing were among the initial organizers, along with Sharon Burnet of Celebrate SEL. Latrelle served as the first President in 1991-1992. Vicki, in particular, recruited many people whose names you may recognize from your own district. Early participants from Vicki's invitations included Suzanne Thompson from Cypress Fairbanks ISD who became President in 1994-1995; Paula Jones, Lubbock ISD, 1998-1999 President, who invited one of her principals Frank Goode, Lubbock ISD, 2002-2003 President. Others who served in the early years were Mary Erwin, Killeen ISD, 1995-1996 President, Anita Snell, Spring Branch ISD, 1996-1997 President, and Bill Rives, Marble Falls ISD, 1997-1998 President.

Vicki also invited her customers, such as Sydney Roach with Amarillo ISD, later with Region 16, brought us into the new century as President in 1999-2000; Terry Grizelle with Birdville ISD, an active member and President in 2000-2002. Marlene Williams, Plano ISD Head of Early Childhood became very active and encouraged her early childhood school principals to come. Two of them became Presidents: Susie Vaughan (2007-2008) & Cheri Izbicki (2010- 2012) and later one of their mentor teachers, Heather Schmitt (now Hennesey), 2021-2022 President, got us through COVID and reorganization. She is now with Teaching Strategies and is present today. Others were Kathy Haule, Lewisville ISD, 2014-2015 President who invited Karin Mahlenkamp, 2015-2016 President; Kay Moberg, 2005-2006 President and her colleague, Deanne Colley, 2009-2010 President. Other leaders worked behind the scenes to make things happen, like Jo McGovern, Arlington ISD, 2006-2007 President and Trish Dillman, Wichita Falls ISD who served as treasurer but also worked with paperwork and membership—even after she retired. Dana Biddy, Community Action Council for Upbring Head Start was 2018-2020 President. Anita Uphaus, Austin ISD, 2003-2005 President, invited her Pre-K leader, Jacquie Porter who gave us a strong connection with TEA and was an active member. She invited Sylina Valdez from Austin, who later became our TEA contact and was 2017-2018 President.

Networking, sharing and inviting created the group that is here today. This shows that of all the marketing strategies, the best way to grow your membership is with a personal invitation! You invite people that you think would benefit, and they come and then invite others! The chain of leadership and participation goes across Texas from Lubbock to Houston and Odessa to Corpus Christi and benefits young children and families throughout the school districts of our state.

Support of TAASPYC Over Time

Our Symposium is supported each year by a variety of sponsors who provide materials, door prizes, speakers, meals, and funding for the costs of the event. While sponsorship may vary from year to year, the common factor is that these important supporters are always present during the Symposium with conversation, encouragement, information and generosity. The Symposium would not be possible without their assistance, backing and loyalty. Sponsors over the past years have included:

• Age of Learning

• At the Heart of Teaching, Learning & Leadership

• Benchmark Education

• Celebrate Successful Early Learning

• Child's Play

• Children's Factory

• Children's Learning Institute

• Discount School Supply

• EPI Educational Products Inc.

• Excelligence Learning Corporation

• Frog Street

• Hand2mind

• Hatch Early Learning Experts

• Just Right Reader

• Kaplan Early Learning Company

• Kendra Scott

• Kodo

• Lakeshore

• Learning Beyond

• Learning Brains

• Learning Without Tears

• Lifetouch School Portraits

• Marco Polo Learning

• Playaway Products

• Ready Rosie

• Really Good Stuff

• Reynolds Creative Learning Environments

• Saavas

• Scholastic

• School Specialty

• Teaching Strategies

• Texas Women's University

• The Discovery Source

Thank you for your continued support of the TAASPYC Symposium!

Inspiration Through the Years

The goal of TAASPYC is to provide early childhood leadership with inspiration, meaning, and beneficial interaction with ideas, strategies, and innovations that move the field forward while honoring the heart of early childhood work. One way to make that happen is to bring in speakers who can facilitate engaging, interactive experiences that honor participants' expertise and lived experience. Some of the previous speakers at the annual Symposium include:

• Pam Schiller, speaking on brain research

• Hedda Sharapan, a producer from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood & Director of Early Childhood Initiatives for the Fred Rogers Company

• Dr. Walter Gilliam, a researcher and early critic of exclusion for behavior of young children

• Stedman Graham, proponent of Identity Leadership and personal potential

• Joe Sanfilippo, award-winning principal, superintendent, speaker and author of Lead from  Where You Are

• Pam Allyn, literacy expert and author

• Tricia Zucker, researcher and author of Strive for Five Conversations

• Hollie Elise Bruno, author, professor, keynote speaker

• Amanda Morgan, speaker and author of Not Just Cute: How Powerful Play Drives Development

And many others over the years to 2026 with Gerry Brooks, veteran educator, administrator and social media humorist.

Excellent speakers were a plus, but many leaders also attended to have time to network and visit with others in their unique positions. Whether in structured round table discussions, informally around the breakfast and lunch tables or out to dinner, participants took time to share about their programs, problems and possible solutions.

A distinguishing and always popular Symposium activity is the visit to early childhood campuses in the host city. These visits have a variety of opportunities for learning from presentations by staff or principals, tours of innovative campus structures and strategies, observations of exemplary early education settings and activities and interactions with staff and leadership. In the most recent years, this event has been enlarged to visits to multiple sites and it remains one of the most highly anticipated and appreciated aspects of the Symposium.

Evolution of the Organization: Growing the Future

At least 18 of our past Presidents have retired. Some districts no longer have an early childhood director as duties have been merged with other positions, sometimes with people who are not exactly early childhood folks. Keeping key positions filled with committed people who have the capacity to support the organization is essential. Maybe that is you?

In 2008 membership dropped significantly and we had our lowest attendance at the symposium. One reason for the drop was that we did not publish a continuous newsletter and also the dates interfered with the state's testing dates. We considered merging with the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) at that point. Their paid leadership was very open to the idea but the TAASPYC board leadership was afraid they would lose their identity with a merger. After these discussions TEPSA did plan a few one-day conferences for Early Childhood Principals. TAASPYC continued on its own during the years after 2008, continuing to host a Symposium each year with support from leaders, participants, vendors and companies.

In 2021, the leadership of the group collapsed 6 months after the Symposium. In the November Board meeting, remaining members determined that a retreat setting would allow the necessary discussion for the Board to make the required decision about continuing the organization. A small group of people from across the state joined together in College Station for a two-day retreat in December to determine if the organization could be saved. Fortunately, the group successfully re-energized the organization and the Symposiums continued without a break in 2022. Details about Symposiums from 2018 to present are on the TAASPYC website (www.taaspyc.org).

The last several years have seen growth in TAASPYC and more contributions offered to the membership. The annual Symposium has been the continuing hallmark of TAASPYC but with energetic and talented leaders additional opportunities are now offered. The regular newsletter covers noteworthy information from specific programs as well as information about the early childhood field and an inclusive list of professional development opportunities. Additionally, members are offered a virtual Lunch and Learn which is a deep dive into a selected topic (often suggested by membership) or a networking opportunity for sharing and problem solving. These events occur at least four times per year. Finally, book studies are offered annually as a three-part virtual event which provides a professional development certificate for participants. These additional activities are free to participants and are publicized in the newsletter and through the email system.

In 2025 a short historical survey was offered to our participants. Although the responses were slim, the information was important. Over 80% of the answers to the question “How did you become aware of the organization?” were “from someone else or from a colleague”. This most recent information mirrors the thoughts from the earliest description of the program: people inviting other people who invited other people. We hope that all of our members will follow this strategy to continue to grow our organization into the future.

The history and commitment of TAASPYC are rich and valuable. We welcome those who come each year to listen, learn and enjoy time with other early childhood leaders. There is always room for anyone who wishes to contribute and serve the early learning leadership of Texas. Any Board member can answer questions and provide information about opportunities. As stated earlier, YOU are the best advertisement TAASPYC has—be sure to tell others about your experiences at the Symposium and join in the other events throughout the year.

Thank you for being a part of our historic 35 anniversary celebration!