Chapters Collaborate to Grow, Serve
The student chapter has an active recruiting program that begins when a teacher candidate has successfully completed 60 education hours and meets Society requirements. Counselor Dr. Josefina Tinajero, Dean of the College of Education, and Chapter President Christine Hayden make it a point to be highly visible on campus. For example, they set up a brightly colored booth in the foyer of the College of Education building and offer apples along with information to students interested in KDP. They also join forces with the bilingual education association at the university to host many student and community activities.

Once student members graduate, however, they aren’t expected to stay involved with the chapter. That’s where the alumni chapter steps in. It sends letters to these students inviting them to transfer their membership to Paso del Norte Alumni Chapter, where members can network and receive support to grow in the profession. In addition, the chapter serves as a scaffold to teachers new both to the profession and to area school districts. This support system also accommodates new administrators.

Paso del Norte Alumni Chapter Counselor Paul Haupt, Epsilon Lambda Counselor Josefina Tinajero and her chapter officers believe in and work at this successful partnership to promote professional membership, growth, and support throughout the life cycle of the education professional.

Chapter collaboration is not for recruiting alone. These two chapters worked together to distribute more than 350 RIF packets to area schools. Also working with the chapters was the El Paso Reading Council, an affiliate of the International Reading Association. Paso del Norte and the student chapter have learned the exponential potential of joined forces. Efforts and energy double. Groups work smarter while building positive bridges in the community. These chapters know that members are developing a support system that will serve them as professionals long after the RIF project has come and gone.