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Policy & Classrooms:
Navigating Texas School Changes
Emgage recently hosted a timely community conversation with Afshi Charania, FBISD Board of Trustees (Position 3), and Aaron Burgess, Legislative Director for Rep. Suleman Lalani, to help families understand what’s new for Texas schools after the 89th Legislative Session.
This year’s session focused heavily on education increasing teacher pay, expanding school funding, and introducing new school choice and voucher programs that will reshape how classrooms operate across the state. These policy changes will directly affect how our children learn, how teachers are supported, and how families engage with their schools.
These classroom changes impact our children directly and as adults, it’s our responsibility to show up for them. 💛
We have the power to change their reality when it comes to navigating new rules, expectations, and opportunities in education.
Let your big voice be heard so their little voices can be listened and understood. 🎤👧🏽👦🏽
Everyone left feeling informed, empowered, and ready to advocate for students and educators across Texas.
08/20/2025
Whole at Last: Luz Quintanilla’s Journey to Citizenship
Luz Quintanilla was only 2 years old when her parents crossed the border from Mexico, searching for a better life. She doesn’t remember the journey, but she remembers Houston.
She grew up with the rhythm of the city she always called home.But even though Houston raised her, Luz quickly realized she was different.
At school, kids whispered, “She doesn’t even have papers.” She didn’t understand at first, but the sting stayed.
As she grew older, reality set in:
~No legal status
~Limited opportunities
~A wall between her and the future she dreamed of
“I always felt like there was a wall between me and the life I wanted,” Luz says.
Still, she never let go of hope. Luz excelled in school, spoke both English and Spanish fluently, and gave back to her community. She helped her parents with translation, bills, and anything they needed.
But doors kept closing, jobs turned her away, scholarships were harder to get. Every setback was painful, yet she kept pushing forward.
For years, Luz dreamed of the day she could proudly call herself a U.S. citizen. She studied, took classes, and prepared herself for the test.
And then, in 2020, it finally happened.
“I remember holding that certificate in my hands,” Luz recalls, eyes full of tears. “I felt like I could breathe for the first time. Like I was finally whole.”
Becoming a citizen wasn’t just paperwork. It was freedom. It was opportunity. It was acceptance.
Today, in her late 20s, Luz works at a company she once thought would never hire her. She’s saving for her first home, helping her siblings with school, and planning to start a small business with her mom.
“For me, becoming a citizen wasn’t about forgetting where I came from,” Luz says. “It was about honoring my journey and finally feeling seen.”
Her story is proof that resilience, courage, and determination can break down walls.
And now, Luz proudly says:
“I am American. I’ve always been American in my heart. Now the country sees it too.”
Don’t wait the time is now. Become a citizen today!
08/07/2025
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