Benefits of Joining TREA as a School District

Job Board
The Job Board offers free postings for TREA school districts, and can be accessed to create those postings with a member login. The Job Board has listings for any and all school district openings and positions. It is also available for our current and active sponsors, as well.

Superintendent Mentor Program  
If you are new to the superintendency, you must have a trained superintendent mentor who oversees your 36 hours of professional development and corresponds with you on a regular basis. TREA has over 60 Superintendent Mentors across the state and in most ESC Regions. Contact: Bill Tarleton, [email protected], (254) 602-2056.

Scholarship Opportunities
The applications for these scholarships are available to every graduating senior attending a TREA member district. In 2024, the association will award over $60,000 in scholarships.

Art Contest
TREA will award $2850 in monetary awards to 9 student winners in our annual Art Contest in 2024. There are 9 winners across three categories, and the applications will be available in the Winter of 2025 for the next contest. 

TREA Annual Conference
This is the only conference of its kind in Texas for rural educators and school board members. The conference presents opportunities for administrators, teachers and school board members to address issues unique to rural Texas. See www.txrea.com for dates and details or contact Bonnie Walker | [email protected] | (512) 415-1646.

Advocacy
Since 1992, TREA has been dedicated to improving teaching and learning in the rural schools of Texas. We do this in a number of ways, and have a Legislative Committee made up of TREA District administrators from across the state. We also work with other educational organizations, agencies, and legislators, on issues that affect our membership.    

National Rural Education Association
TREA is an affiliate of the National Rural Education Association (NREA). When a district joins TREA, they also become a voting member of NREA. Contact: Dr. Allen Pratt, at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, [email protected], (423) 425-4539.

National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition
TREA is also a member of the National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition. We work with over 20 other states on rural issues and advocate for their needs at the federal level. Contact: Jerry Stout, [email protected]. 

Robotics Education Competition Foundation
TREA has partnered with the REC Foundation to provide robotics kits, training, and entry fees, for TREA school districts across the state. This service is valued at $2,000, and is free to school districts that apply, based on availability. REC Foundation is a UIL sanctioned Robotics Competition. Contact:  Andy Schaafs, [email protected].

Of the Year Awards
TREA recognizes outstanding educators in four categories each year. Those awards are recognized at our Annual Summer Conference each year. Those awards are for Paraprofessional of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Superintendent of the Year, and School Board of the Year.  

No Kid Hungry Texas (NKH) Grants
In addition to being a Gold Sponsor, NKH awarded $30,000 each to three TREA member districts in 2023-24, Jasper ISD, Royal ISD, and San Saba ISD. 

Legal Services
At no additional cost, TREA members are entitled to a basic retainership through the Powell Law Group (PLG). The retainership also includes some board training opportunities and other services which can be found here.   

UTeach Blended Learning PD
Fully reimbursable through TEA funding and written by teachers with Rural teaching experience. It utilizes practicing K-12 pedagogy experts as instructors, is self-paced, and includes 6 hours G/T credit update embedded in the courses. Go to: pd.uteach.utexas.edu/courses or contact Dixie Valdez at [email protected].   

TREA Board of Directors
Our Board has representation from almost every ESC Region of Texas. The Executive Committee (Officers) and all board members are available via our online directory.  

The sponsors that make up our four levels of sponsorship as well as conference sponsors, are vital to our existence and provide the ability to provide our membership with a variety of benefits and services. Please check them out on our website.   

Education Service Centers
TREA is appreciative to all 20 ESCs, as they provide a variety of services to our member districts in terms of partnerships, professional development and board training, sponsorships, and other assistance in our promise to provide benefits and services to rural school districts.