TALAS El Paso Monthly Newsletter
October 2026
From our President
Dear TALAS Family,
What an incredible turnout we had at our first Empowering Educators Session! Thank you to Dr. Josue Borrego, Dr. Xavier De La Torre, Dr. Brian Lusk, Mr. Gustavo Reveles, and Mr. Jim Vasquez for participating in Our Voice. Our Schools. Our Future forum. It was a powerful evening of learning, conversation, and advocacy for public education in our El Paso community.
As we continue these important conversations, I encourage you to review this month's newsletter for information regarding the upcoming SISD and YISD VATRE elections. As educational leaders, it is important that we understand the issues facing our school districts and are prepared to share accurate information with our families, colleagues, and communities. Most importantly, don't forget to exercise your right to vote and encourage others to become informed and do the same.
TALAS El Paso has some exciting opportunities ahead for our members, beginning with our October book study of Forward, Together by George Couros. This timely selection challenges us to consider how we, as educational leaders, can build community, navigate differences, and move forward around a shared purpose. We also look forward to our next Empowering Educators Session, Keep Cool Kid. These opportunities are exclusively for TALAS members, but there is still time to join us!
We will continue to provide meaningful professional learning opportunities throughout the year. If there is a topic in which you need assistance or support, please do not hesitate to contact a board member. We are happy to research topics and identify resources that can support you in your work.
In December, we look forward to bringing our TALAS family together for an evening of networking and fun at our holiday social. More details will be coming soon!
As we navigate these challenging and sometimes tumultuous times in education, do not lose sight of the impact of your daily work. Every day, you have the opportunity to change the trajectory of a student's life. Our students remain our focus and our purpose. Regardless of the challenges we face, we remain in the fight for them.
¡Adelante!
Mónica Bustillos
President, TALAS El Paso
Leaders are Readers! 📚
Join us for our upcoming TALAS El Paso book study as we dive into Forward Together: Moving Schools from Conflict to Community in Contentious Times by George Couros.
Together, we’ll explore ideas for building stronger school communities, navigating challenging times, and moving forward with purpose.
🎁 Bonus: The first 20 TALAS members who sign up will receive a FREE copy of the book!
Come read, reflect, and connect with fellow educators as we learn and move Forward Together. We hope you’ll join us! CLICK HERE or the picture below to sign up today!
October's Estrella is... NURI ROBLES from EPISD!
Congratulations to Principal Nuri Robles, our October Estrella de TALAS!
Nuri Robles is an exceptional leader, who relentlessly pursues high-quality experiences for her students, their families, and her staff. During her time as principal of Captain Gabriel Navarrete Middle School, she has developed systems that have created a healthy, inclusive culture for the diverse community her campus serves. In addition to working with her feeder pattern and district colleagues, she regularly connects with and collaborates with personnel on Ft. Bliss to ensure her military students and families feel welcomed, supported, and connected.
Ms. Robles has established strong partnerships with colleagues across El Paso ISD which not only benefit the Navarrete Knight Nation, but also helps to improve outcomes for all El Paso ISD students. As a part of the 2-year Holdsworth Campus Leadership Program, she worked alongside district and campus leaders from across the State and education experts to study relevant problems of practice and develop effective, targeted systems that contributed to measurable gains for students. Her students, staff, and colleagues are regularly motivated and inspired by the high expectations she has for herself and others, her deep understanding of instructional leadership, and her infectious enthusiasm for the power of education.
Thank you to our sponsor and partner Kyle Goshorn from Ellevation Education.
Thank you to our sponsor and partner Ernie Ortiz from the Procedeo Group.
Why Join TALAS El Paso?
TALAS El Paso offers unique opportunities for professional development, cross collaboration among districts, networking, and growth among local school leaders. TALAS also celebrates and promotes members who are working tirelessly to impact El Paso students and communities!
Our focus is:
Leadership Development
Collective Impact
Advocacy and
Proactive Voice
Nominate the next La Estrella de El Paso!
Know a TALAS member who consistently demonstrates at least ONE of the pillars that TALAS is founded upon?
Nominate this exemplar member for our TALAS Member Spotlight!
Tell us who you are nominating and share how he/she exemplifies one or more of our pillars through their leadership, service, advocacy, or impact.
Because great leaders deserve to be recognized—and sometimes, the best person to recognize them is another member who sees their impact firsthand.
📣 Nominate a fellow TALAS member today! And don't worry, feel free to nominate yourself!
NOMINATE HERE no later than October 23rd!
