Fall Meeting Dates:

Meetings are held in the Student Center, Room 207 from 12pm to 1pm

• September 4  
• October 1  
• November 6   
• December 3

For more information see ATPE/SCEC bulletin board across from elevators on the first floor of Stoddard Hall (SH) or the BESO bulletin board across from SH 213

Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)

The Association of Texas Professional Educators is an organization for students in all fields of education. As members they join over 100,000 Texas educators bound by the belief that educators are professionals who must work as a team to ensure that our children receive the best education possible. Not only does ATPE membership provide liability insurance for students involved in field experiences, but it serves as a vehicle for providing both information and support to students throughout their program. Through monthly meetings in conjunction with the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC), members have opportunities to receive updates on current issues, hear speakers on various topics, develop leadership skills, plan and implement fund raisers and charitable events, contribute to the community and local schools, and attend state ATPE conventions. A bulletin board in the first floor hallway of Stoddard Hall provides information on meeting dates.

Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC)

The Student Council for Exceptional Children is primarily for students being certified in Special Education or a related field. As members of the student organization they join the largest international professional organization (CEC) dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities; students with disabilities, and/or gifted. Through monthly meetings in conjunction with the Association of Texas Professional Educators ( ATPE), members have opportunities to receive updates on current issues, hear speakers on various topics, develop leadership skills, plan and implement fund raisers and charitable events, contribute to the community and local schools, and attend state and national CEC conventions. A bulletin board in the first floor hallway of Stoddard Hall provides information on meeting dates.

Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)

The Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) is one of the oldest Latina organizations on campus. Approximately thirty years ago, when the bilingual program was initiated in Texas, TWU was one of the first universities to begin a bilingual teacher preparation program. Along with the new program, Dr. Rudy Rodriguez began the student organization initially named the Student Association for Bilingual Education (SABE), which was later changed to the Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO). The BESO students take an active part in support of all students on campus who speak two languages or more and invite all future bilingual teachers to participate in their activities, which include attending and participating in conferences related to bilingual education. Under the guidance of the university’s bilingual education faculty, a number of undergraduate and graduate BESO students have attended, presented, and facilitated at the BEAM (Bilingual Education Association of the Metroplex) conferences held in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the TABE conferences, and the NABE (National Association for Bilingual Education) conferences. Many of them also volunteer their time in surrounding school district classrooms as tutors for bilingual students.

Pi Lambda Theta (PLT)

Pi Lambda Theta (PLT) is the College of Professional Education’s only honorary organization which recognizes academic excellence and outstanding leaders who are pursuing a career in education.  PLT has a rich history on the TWU campus dating back to 1940 and is the most selective national professional honor society of educators.  Its mission is to honor outstanding educators and inspire them to be effective leaders who address critical issues in education.  In order to be eligible to join, students must have an accumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above and maintain a financial obligation. Membership dues cover initiation and graduation ceremonies, honor cords to wear at graduation, access to scholarships, grants, job-search and referral services, a professional journal and international conference information.  Initiations are held in September and February.  For more information, you may contact Dr. Gina Anderson or Dr. Karen Dunlap (faculty advisers).