Position Statement for Vice President-elect for Membership and Affiliates: TCTELA has a unique role in shaping instruction in literacy instruction in our state, providing a forum for educators from kindergarten to college classes to share their expertise and guide our state leadership to do what is right for children. We must reach out to those who are training to become teachers, encouraging them to participate and become the leaders of the future. We must also bring to the table our colleagues in private and charter schools to broaden our resources. As president of the West Houston affiliate, my goal was to bring growth in size and diversity to our organization. I hope to do the same for TCTELA as we begin our second half century as the literacy leaders of Texas.