Impacting Education by Impacting Educators
Visit us on Facebook. Select the link to go to our Facebook page: ASTEF
Everything that is going on in ASTEF is announced through Constant Contact emails. If you are not receiving those email announcements, it is easy to register. Just click on the button below and you will find the signup form that will add your name to the Constant Contact list.
5TH ASTEF WEEKENDER IN TYLER
photo from Visit Tyler
  The 5th annual ASTEF Weekender is April 22 -24, 2022 in beautiful Tyler, Texas. During the Weekender we will explore historic parts of Tyler and celebrate her beauty and position as the Rose Capital of the country. We will explore many unseen treasures of the city. One of the potential highlights will be a walking tour of the famous Rose Garden and Rose Museum. The Weekender will begin Friday night with a welcome reception followed by dinner and conclude Sunday after lunch. Members and guests will not be disappointed as they explore the historic city of Tyler. More information about the trip will be posted on the ASTEF website. All registration forms and deposit checks are to be mailed to TSO Headquarters and marked ASTEF Weekender.  The total cost of the trip is $325.00 per person. The deposit for the trip is $75.00.  The deadline to register is March 19, 2022. The trip is limited to 50 participants. Non-DKG member guests are welcome. 
​For more information about this Weekender ​click here
GET ONE WHILE THEY LAST
As the 10th Birthday Celebration comes to a close ASTEF would like to thank everyone for their generous support through the Decade Donor and Cumulative Donor programs. Members also purchased a specially designed charm depicting the Birthday slogan, “A Decade of Making Dreams Come True.” 
If anyone did not get this special charm, there is one last chance. There are twelve charms left and can be purchased by completing the form above and sending a $18 (to cover postage) check payable to ASTEF as soon as possible. Once these twelve charms are gone, no others will be made. 
PROJECT STIPENDS 2021
The ASTEF Board of Directors is proud to award almost $20,000 for project stipends this year.  Considering we have been in a pandemic for the last 16 months, this is truly amazing.
The projects that were selected for funding were chosen because they support our purposes:  to provide funding for activities that support professional and personal growth of women educators in Texas and to provide educational excellence for Texas students.  They varied from addressing a need in their community or school, to providing mentoring to early career educators and pretty much, everything in between.
For the full list and a brief summary of the projects click here or look on the Projects 2021-22 Page.
ASTEF FALL STEWARDHSIP CAMPAIGN
   The Fall Stewardship Campaign, “Together We Win”, kicks off October 1, 2021 and continues through to December 31, 2021.  “Together We Win” highlights the way ASTEF and TSO are a partnership. 
   Ten facts will be shared showing the important role ASTEF plays in funding Projects, Leadership and Scholarships.  Donations made for honorarium and memorials need a form and check mailed to TSO Headquarters and made payable to ASTEF.  For more information and the donation form click here.
10TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 
September 17, 2020 marked the tenth birthday of ASTEF. Leading up to this special day the ASTEF Board planned many exciting and fun things to help mark this milestone. Little did they know that the true celebration would not come until June, 2021 in Denton rather than the year before in McAllen. 
To mark the celebration, members made videos on a variety of topics. Constant Contact also created articles about the history of ASTEF and its formation.
For all of the above look under the "About Us" navigation tab of just click here
KENDRA SCOTT IS FIFTH ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION
   Kendra Scott was named this year's Advocate for Education at the Denton Convention.
   On a national level, Kendra supports organizations that actively improve lives, advance knowledge, and unlock opportunity in three key areas: health and wellness, education and entrepreneurship, and empowerment.  Her company and brand support many philanthropic efforts by funding grants, volunteering time and hosting or sponsoring events.
Thank you to YOU- the members- who help make ASTEF’s mission possible through your commitment to the advancement of ASTEF-Your Foundation.
ASPIRING EDUCATORS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Both the Aspiring Educators page and the Scholarships page have been updated with information announced at the Denton Convention. Please take a look at both pages found under the Purposes tab above. 
​One of the Aspiring Educators had a Zoom meeting with Debra Shidemantle about the application process. View the video here.
DENTON CONVENTION WAS HUGE SUCCESS FOR ASTEF
   ASTEF Directors would like to thank the many members who supported the various ASTEF events at the TSO Convention in Denton in June. ASTEF was involved in many exciting events during the convention that included awarding Project Stipends, presenting an ASTEF breakout session, hosting the ASTEF Ticketed Event, the Online Auction, and providing the Kendra Scott Pop-Up Store. The Decade Donor Project leading up to the TSO Convention and other fundraising activities were successful.
   Perhaps the most exciting part of ASTEF’s involvement at the TSO Convention in Denton was awarding 
almost $20,000 in Project Stipends. These stipends will have a major impact on Texas students and educators across the state. For a list of projects along with a brief description click on the “Purposes” tab on the ASTEF website www.astef.org.
   Convention attendees had the opportunity to attend the ASTEF breakout session, “The Inside Scoop - Tips on Applying for a Project Stipend.” This session was designed to help chapters navigate the process of applying for a Project Stipend. Applications will be posted on the website during October with an April 1, 2022 deadline.
   The ASTEF Ticketed Event had an Olympic flair. Johnny Quinn, former Olympic Bobsledder, and professional football player, shared his message on adversity and triumph. Through this one session alone, $7,975 was donated to ASTEF.
   Special thanks to all who participated in the 2021 Denton Online Auction. The auction did very well and brought in $4,280. The Kendra Scott Pop-Up Store on Friday generated a donation to ASTEF from Kendra Scott of $1,010.78. 
Decade Donor Project donations exceeded the goal of $10,000 by over a $1,000. Over $11,000 was contributed to the Decade Donor Project. 
Thanks and appreciation to all who participated in any way. A gift to ASTEF is a gift that keeps on giving. The overwhelming generosity of members makes possible Scholarships, Aspiring Educator Awards, the Leadership Seminar and other leadership events, and Project Stipends that impact Texas students and educators in the multiple Texas communities served by our members.
​Donating to our foundation is easy and only takes a few minutes. Quick ways to donate to ASTEF are:
  • Donate button:  Use this button to contribute to the Projects Fund using your credit card or PayPal. ​When using the Donate button, donations can be a one-time gift or a recurring donation.​
  • Use the Contribution Forms found on the Donate Now page or the Forms Page to contribute by check  to the fund of your choice (Scholarship, Leadership or Projects)
  • Contribution Forms also give you the opportunity to designate the contribution as a memorial, honorarium or chapter contribution for convention recognition. ​
Your tax deductible contributions to ASTEF have impacted education, educators and students, in the Texas communities.
​Thank you for your donations and support.

​As a 501(c)(3) public charity, ASTEF provides funding for activities that support professional and personal growth of women educators in Texas and promotes educational excellence for Texas students.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation is
  • to provide funding for activities that support professional and personal growth of women educators in Texas, and
  • to promote educational excellence for Texas students.

ASTEF members may apply for a Texas State Organization (TSO) state scholarship; participate in leadership events; and apply for project stipends.