Texas Students Compete at State TAFE Conference

Future educators showcase their passion and skills at annual competition

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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High school students in the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) club are preparing to compete at the state conference in Dallas, Texas from February 25-28, 2026. The students have been working diligently on projects and presentations in various education-focused categories, with the goal of advancing to the national competition. TAFE sponsor Lisa McCloskey and club president Adalynn McCloskey are guiding the team towards success.

Why it matters

The TAFE competition allows aspiring educators to gain valuable experience and showcase their talents, while also promoting the teaching profession to the next generation. As schools continue to face staffing challenges, programs like TAFE play an important role in inspiring and preparing future teachers.

The details

The TAFE club has 26 students competing at the state conference, along with 5 adult judges and chaperones. Students will compete in categories such as Public Speaking, Job Interviews, and Researching Learning Challenges. To qualify for state, students had to create projects and present them at the area conference, where they were scored by judges. The club raises funds through snack sales at lunch to help cover the costs of traveling to the competitions.

  • The TAFE state conference will be held from February 25-28, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
  • The area conference, where students qualified for state, took place earlier in the school year.

The players

Lisa McCloskey

The TAFE club sponsor, who has been teaching for 28 years and is guiding her students towards success at the state competition.

Adalynn McCloskey

The TAFE club president, who is helping her peers prepare their projects and presentations for the state conference.

Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE)

A student organization that prepares high schoolers for careers in education through competitions, volunteer work, and other hands-on experiences.

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What they’re saying

“[TAFE] is an organization meant to prepare future educators for their career. [They do] a lot of volunteer work related to working with kids to help students gain that experience. We help with field days, fundraisers, school festivals, the ACE after-school program and more.”

— Lisa McCloskey, TAFE Sponsor (tigertimesonline.com)

“This is year 28 of teaching for me, and I would not change my path in life because the people I have met and lives I have crossed along the way have made me rich. One of my favorite quotes is 'Be the change you wish to see in the world.' As an educator, I get to do that every single day.”

— Lisa McCloskey, TAFE Sponsor (tigertimesonline.com)

“I help the students with their projects, answering any questions they have and guiding them through the process. I also help with a lot of the planning, whether that is planning for trips or meetings.”

— Adalynn McCloskey, TAFE Club President (tigertimesonline.com)

What’s next

The TAFE club is hoping that their strong performances at the state conference will allow them to advance to the national competition later in the year.

The takeaway

The TAFE competition provides a valuable platform for aspiring educators to develop their skills and passion for teaching, while also inspiring the next generation to consider careers in education. Programs like this play a crucial role in addressing teacher shortages and promoting the teaching profession.