On Nov. 14, Rick Lavoie will speak on "The Motivation Breakthrough: 6 Secrets to Turning On the Tuned-Out Child."  This program will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pottsboro High School. Lavoie has served as an administrator of residential programs for children with special needs since 1972. He serves as a consultant on learning disabilities to several agencies and organizations.

On March 6, 2009, Guy Doud, a former national teacher of the year, will be the speaker at the TAPSI program at Durant High School.

This is the 17th year that TAPSI has provided service to school districts in southeastern Oklahoma and northern Texas. The organization is committed to continuing its tradition of presenting quality programs by the nationšs top educational speakers.

Membership to TAPSI is open to any public school district in the two-state area. A membership invitation is extended to administrators, classroom teachers, supervisors, curriculum directors, staff development directors, and school board members. The benefits of TAPSI membership include personal interaction with counterparts in other districts; opportunities to hear outstanding leaders in the areas of school improvement; and shared information concerning school district effectiveness/improvement research, programs, and resources.

Current school district members of TAPSI are Atoka, Calera, Durant, Fox, Harmony, Hugo, Kingston, Lane, Madill, Nashoba, Ringling, Stringtown, Turner, Victory Life, and in Texas, Denison, Sherman, and Van Alstyne.

Members of the TAPSI Steering Committee in 2008-2009 are Dr. Melanie Price, TAPSI executive director, of Southeastern Oklahoma State University; John Carter, Madill; Dr. George Hatfield, Denison; Dr. Ed Mauzey, Southeastern Oklahoma State University; Duane Meredith, chairperson, Durant; James Miller, Ringling; Aaron Newcomb, vice-chair, Calera; Richard Quaid, Stringtown; and Roland Smith, Lane.

For more information, contact Dr. Melanie Price at 580-745-2602.