Student officers from the Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy's education program spent the opening week of school visiting ninth grade campuses across Rockwall ISD, recruiting the next class of future teachers.

The TAFE and FCCLA officers planned and led the outreach themselves, according to a GBCCA post published Friday, Aug. 21. The district said the student leaders had been planning and visiting ninth grade schools to build excitement among incoming freshmen about joining TAFE. The chapter's Education and Training cluster runs TAFE and FCCLA together, giving students a pipeline from freshman interest to competitive events and classroom experience.

TAFE, the Texas Association of Future Educators, is a statewide nonprofit recognized by the Texas Education Agency that lets high schoolers explore careers in education.

The recruitment push comes on the heels of a banner year for the GBCCA chapter. At the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference in Portland, Oregon, 11 GBCCA students competed in eight events, and every project placed seventh or higher. Three students brought home national championships: Daphne M. and Hope W. won first place in Lesson Plan & Delivery, Avery B. took first in Exploring Support Service Careers, and Wyatt S. earned the top spot in Exploring Non-Core Teaching Careers.

The chapter's adviser, Robin Peterson, was named TAFE Area 11 Teacher Leader of the Year in February. GBCCA TAFE officers nominated Peterson for the honor, and her peers across the region voted to confirm it.

The chapter held its first meeting of the 2026-27 school year on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 4:15 to 6 p.m. in room B114 at GBCCA. The chapter's Facebook page invited students to meet new people, learn about the program and enjoy snacks.

Next up: the TAFE Area 11 Fall Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29. Area officer applications open Tuesday, Sept. 1, and registration for the Area Conference and Competitive Events opens Thursday, Oct. 1.