Welcome to a new school year: 

I am so excited to begin this next year as your President. I will be representing one of the greatest organizations in Texas. My theme is “Pearls of Wisdom and Knowledge.”

The pearl is my birthstone. A pearl is a living thing that grows as each layer is added. I have spent many of my birthdays at a TESA Summer Work Conference with wonderful friends. I see TESA members as Pearls that continue to grow in wisdom and knowledge as we attend Area Workshops, STEM classes, and Work Conferences.

My first conference was at the 1990 SWC in Austin. I remember the heat and walking across the highway to the Palmer Convention Center. We would stop traffic as this wave of mostly women would begin to cross the street. I remember getting lost inside the Palmer, and I remember Nelda Van Dyke greeting everyone with a big smile as we came into the building. At the time I wondered who this very fine lady that was out front greeting everyone. I later found out that she was the lady that helped to start TESA all those years ago. After a few years of attending conferences, I happened to have the opportunity to have dinner with Ms. Nelda. She leaned over and told me that I would one day be President of TESA. Well I guess she was right. I don’t know how many people she has told this to over the years. She planted the seed and my pearl began to grow.

I cherish all the friendships that I have made through TESA. We have shared happy times of weddings and births and have cried over illnesses and death. All the caring and support that comes from the members in times of need is just unbelievable. I have learned that networking is important as it leads to lifelong friendships. I want TESA members to have the same fond memories that I have of coming to TESA work conferences.

I do see challenges ahead. Satisfying the needs of TESA members for continued educational classes and meeting the financial obligations of TESA are just a couple. If we work together, TESA will remain a strong force in bringing together educational support staff across the state. I challenge you to continue to grow your pearl and I look forward to what this year has to offer.

Wendy Klentzman

Do Your Best
What could be more important in life
Than to know in our hearts that in everything
We have tried to do,
We have done our very best.