For the past five years, Dr. Terri Hodges led the Delaware Parent Teachers Association through some very trying times in Delaware. As Common Core became a staple, along with its evil counterpart, the Smarter Balanced Assessment, Hodges stood up for parents during the opt out movement in Delaware. Yesterday, Hodges turned over the mantle to the newly elected Julie Alvarez at the annual Delaware PTA convention.
Yvonne Johnson, Red Clay Superintendent Dr. Merv Daugherty, and Dr. Terri Hodges
Together with their Vice President of Advocacy Yvonne Johnson, Hodges and Johnson were the PTA Mafia in Delaware. I mean that in the best way possible. They made the opt out movement what it was back in 2015 with their non-stop advocacy for parental rights on the issue. Sadly, they were shut down on that advocacy by their parent organization, the National PTA. The Nation PTA President, Laura Bay, threatened to shut off their national funding if they didn’t shut up. It was a classic case of bullying.
Johnson, Delaware Attorney General Matt Denn, Hodges
I thoroughly enjoyed working with Hodges in support of House Bill 50, the infamous legislation that ultimately passed the General Assembly but was subject to a veto by the very corporate education reformer loving Governor, Jack Markell. Hodges strongly supports funding for basic special education in Kindergarten to 3rd grade along with tons of common sense legislation. I will miss her as President of Delaware PTA but I have no doubt I will continue to count her as a friend I met during my journey in Delaware public education. Thank you Terri for your outstanding advocacy and looking out for Delaware students!
As for President Alvarez, she had some words to say about her new role. I look forward to working together with her on various education bills and policy in the years ahead.
Thank you for joining us at the annual Delaware PTA Convention and for all of the work that you do on behalf of Delaware’s children. We have put together an extensive day of networking and information gathering opportunities for you that we hope you will find beneficial. Make sure to visit the vendor area and take advantage of the door prizes and giveaways.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Terri Hodges for all of her hard work and tireless efforts as the Delaware State PTA President for the past five years. In that capacity, she has created a strong platform on which I plan to continue to build upon. I am excited to continue working with her as she moves to the position of Immediate Past President as well as with the other members of the board.
In the coming year, my focus will be on three major areas: expanding family engagement in our schools, increasing PTA membership and involvement through raising awareness of the value of and developing excitement for PTA, and continuing the advocacy that is the foundation of PTA.
I invite you all to join Delaware PTA as we work together to make positive change towards the mission of making every child’s potential a reality. Enjoy the Convention!
Regards,
Julie Alvarez
Delaware PTA President Julie Alvarez
Caroline Harrison-DeJose became the Delaware PTA 1st Vice-President as well yesterday.
The Season Of Myths 