From the creative mind of Joy Elmer Morgan, editor of the NEA Journal in 1929, came the dream of an organization to be known as Future Teachers of America. Not until 1937 did the NEA Representative Assembly at Detroit vote to sponsor the FTA movement. Dr. Morgan was the developer of ideas and the moving spirit behind the Future Teachers of America program until his retirement in 1954. During this period FTA grew from on high school club with 72 members to 2,441 high school clubs with 62,134 members and 562 college chapters with 29,504 members. Prior to 1947, the Division of Publications chartered clubs and chapters, but by 1950-51 all state education associations had agreed to charter them jointly.

Among the pioneer FTA leaders in high school was David Bancroft Johnson Club in Waterboro High School of South Carolina organized in October 1935 by Ruth Dorrill Thomas. The Waterboro club through some unknown circumstance did not receive its charter until 1939. The first charter in the nation went to Horace Mann Club in Laramie High School, Laramie, Wyoming.

The first national meeting of college FTA members took place in the summer of 1948 when 13 chapter presidents-elect participated in the four week program of the NEA Institute of Organizational Leadership at American University, Washington D.C. They proposed a national organization of college chapters, and by the summer of 1951, the idea of a national constitution, with officers, and a delegate assembly had been developed. The 32 FTA officers attending the Institute appointed a committee on constitution. The proposed constitution was submitted to members of all chapters during the 1951-52 and 1952-53 school year. By March, 1953 the NAFTA Constitution had been ratified.

In 1952, TFTA presidents-elect participated in the Department of Classroom Teachers Conference at Michigan State Normal College, Ypsilanti. This change was brought about when the Institute at American University was replaced by NEA Centennial Action Program Conference at St. Mary's Lake, Michigan.

Early in 1955, the NEA Executive Committee, reorganizing the structure of NEA, placed NAFTA under the administration of the National Commission of Teacher Education and Professional Standards. The Commission immediately assembled an FTA Advisory Committee at its DeKalb Conference to evaluate the FTA program and draw up policy recommendations which were adopted in August, 1955.

After careful investigation and wide discussion extending over a 15-month period the Commission created the Student National Education Association to replace NAFTA in June, 1957, as the national professional organization for college students. This change was recommended by the NAFTA Delegate Assembly in Portland, Oregon, in July 1956. At this point, the program for high school clubs at the national level was separated from that of college chapters to facilitate the implementation of a two-level progress ional program and the respective purposes of the two groups. TFTA is sponsored by TSTA. The high school organization retains the name Future Teachers of America.

T E X A S F U T U R E T E A C H E R S OF A M E R I C A

General Information

Texas Future Teachers of America is a part of a construction plan sponsored by the Texas State Teachers Association for providing Texas high school students with worthwhile professional experiences related to their opportunities in teaching. In high school chapter work, emphasis is placed on selective recruitment.

Relationship to TSTA

Affiliation with the Texas State Teachers Association is by submitting annually to TSTA one copy of the Affiliation Form, along with a $35.00 (thirty-five dollar) chapter affiliation fee. In return, the Texas State Teachers Association supplies the high school chapters with the TFTA TORCH, makes available consultant service, organizational - type materials, films, suggestions for projects, posters, brochures, and other related materials that are developed for such use.

TFTA operates under the provisions of its own state-adopted constitution. TFTA has also established individual dues in the amount of $6.00 (six dollars) per member.

TFTA TORCH

The TFTA TORCH is published jointly by the Texas State Teachers Association and TFTA. Suggested material for the TFTA TORCH should be mailed directly to: TFTA/ TSTA Office, 42 East Avenue, Austin, TX 78701, Attention: TFTA Coordinator.

TFTA Colors

TFTA colors are black, white, and flame red. The flame red signifies high ideals and leadership. The black and white are traditionally used for caps and gowns of those graduating to higher stages of learning.

TFTA District V Fees and Dues

District V dues are ½ of the State TFTA dues ($3.00). These dues are per student. The District affiliation fee equals one half of the State affiliation fee ($17.50). These dues and fees are due at the time of the Leadership Conference but the latest date they are to be paid is at the District Convention. The financial secretary takes dues, fees and issues receipts.

TFTA District V Leadership Conference

The District V Leadership Conference is held annually in October usually six to seven weeks prior to the Convention. This is a time for officers of all chapters to come together to meet and learn more about their leadership duties. Location, date, and times are usually included in the handbook or will be sent out at a later date.

TFTA District V Convention

The District Convention of the District V Future Teachers of America is held annually in November or December of each year dependent on the District President‘s decision. Location, date, and times are usually included in the handbook or are given in a letter later on.

TFTA District V Banquet

The District V Banquet is held annually in April to install new officers. Location, date, and times will be given at a later date.