What is SummerFest?

Samuel Hyland
K-12 Board
HS Interest Chair

It is a wonderful time for you, as a theater teacher, to get your batteries recharged. I have been teaching Theatre I for 13 years, and Tech Theatre for four years. When I first started teaching I learned about the big TETA meeting in January, but I did not know anything about SummerFest. I did not go for the first two years; I thought I did not need to go to two events in one year. Boy, was I wrong! There is so much for teachers in the summer meeting: It is a lot more relaxed and fun, it is just high school, middle school and elementary teachers, hosted by the K-12 board. The first year I went it was held at Tyler Junior College, and since then it has been held at Baylor, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin and more. It is always a blast, and I learn so much. Since the first one I have been hooked, and not missed one since. I want to strongly encourage you to go.

I have been lucky to have my twin brother to come with me. We have been to every one together. It is enjoyable to have a friend or co-worker come along, and you get to experience it all together. SummerFest is also a great time to make new friends. I have met so many great people that I continue to be in contact with. One of them, a teacher we all call “Chocs”, encouraged me and my brother to keep coming each year. It is good to get affirmation that you are not alone; by talking to other teachers you can help build up a network of support to help you get through the struggles we all face. Try to make friends with people in your school district, or the people close to your district.


When I first starting coming I had no idea what the K-12 board was, or how you could get on it. Mellissa McMillian helped me so much with that. She was in charge of getting the nominations for the elections at the January convention. She took the time to explain to me how the election process worked, and how they want dependable people elected to the board to represent the teachers. I am so thankful for all her help. It took me about four years to get elected to the K-12 board. This is my first SummerFest as a member of the K-12 board, and I am honored and humbled to serve in this capacity.

You will quickly learn that everyone at SummerFest wants to help you; all you have to do is talk with people. They are so willing to share what they know with you, and may even share their actual lesson plans! If you ever wonder how to get elected to the K-12 board, just talk to the members of the board. We are not particularly special, just teachers like you who want to give back to the organization that has helped us out so much. We are all nice and approachable people, very willing to talk, when we are not trying to pull out our hair when things go wrong...