Association Lifestyle: A Day in the Life

EVERY DAY IS different – which is one of the many things I love about association work. There is no typical day. In my role as Associate Director of the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE), every day is a dynamic mix of strategic planning, problem-solving, and collaboration. My key responsibilities include: education and events; marketing and communications; the day-to-day operations of TCASE and TCASE Services, Inc.; and supporting our team and members.

At the heart of everything I do is our mission: to inspire and empower special education professionals. These leaders navigate some of the most challenging roles in education, and I want to help make their lives easier whenever possible. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, but what remains constant is the passion and dedication I see among our members and within our organization. It’s an honor to be part of a team that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of educators and students across Texas.

Here are just a few of the highlights of my days and focus areas:

• Event Planning for TCASE’s Summer Convention: TCASE events are vital to keeping special education leaders connected with their peers across the state. We host two large conventions a year, in addition to smaller trainings, academies, and webinars. During this week, we met with the planning committee about the overall schedule for the summer convention, researched speakers and conducted phone calls with prospective speakers, worked with a graphic designer on the event branding, and developed the sponsorship prospectus.
• Marketing and Communications Content and Key Messaging: Effectively communicating with our members is key to keeping them connected, informed, and engaged. We have a variety of marketing content messages that are distributed each week. With the constant evolution of special education policy and best practices, keeping our members up to date is vital. My work focuses on developing messaging strategies, crafting newsletters, managing social media, and ensuring that the right messaging reaches the right audiences.
• Providing Resources for Members: One of my top priorities is directly supporting our members – special education administrators who work tirelessly to provide high-quality services to students with disabilities. Whether it’s responding to inquiries, connecting members with key resources, or advocating for their needs at the state level, I strive to make their demanding jobs a little easier. Recently, TCASE commissioned a report on the state of special education funding. When the report was completed, I spent a day and a half walking the halls at the Capitol, delivering the report to each lawmaker’s office.
• Supporting and Fueling the Team: Beyond member services and event planning, I also focus on internal support – ensuring our team has what they need to operate effectively. Whether it’s coordinating workflows, streamlining internal processes, or fostering collaboration, I believe that a well-supported team is essential to delivering the best possible service to our members.

Key Takeaways – My key takeaways ring true around the passion and gratitude that I have for my work; I strive to make the most of every day.

• Have Passion: Passion is at the heart of what we do at TCASE. It drives motivation and engagement and fuels persistence to overcome challenges.
• Be Flexible: Flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and new information. Changes and the unexpected do happen! It’s what you learn from those changes, and how you move forward that is important.
• Build Relationships: Investing time in building and maintaining relationships is so vital. In my experience, I have found that it can lead to collaboration opportunities, increased trust, and mutual growth.
• Do Something for You: To stay recharged and keep balance, incorporate in your routine something for you – like regular exercise (i.e., going for a walk), or an activity to promote your mental health. Also engaging in hobbies or activities you enjoy can boost creativity and provide a much-needed break.
• Taking Time for Connection: It’s really easy to get wrapped up in GSD (Getting Stuff Done). Be sure to prioritize taking the time for connections. These connections strengthen bonds, enhance communication, and can even improve collaboration. They foster deeper understanding and empathy.