In the Community

  • “At the downtown Austin rally, mother Jessie Neufeld railed against both any possible takeover and additional requirements from TEA that F-rated campuses enact turnaround plans, aimed at improving academics on the campus-level. “If you really want better schools, work with us, not against us,” Neufeld said. “We don’t need takeovers. We need collaboration. We don’t need you silencing our school boards.”

    — ATX116 Co-founder, Jessie Neufeld, is quoted in the Austin American Statesman

  • “Experience and research agree — when districts treat schools like machines to be restarted, replacing large chunks of dedicated staff, students pay the price.”

    — ATX116 Co-founder, Heather Wong spoke at the October 5th Rally outside of TEA, CBS News

  • “I just want to express gratitude to ATX116 for providing a safe and truly welcoming space for us to share our feelings about a process that has often left me feeling alone, confused, frustrated, and scared. Hearing other perspectives and gaining more context about AISD also made me feel more empowered to talk to people at my own school about the importance of equity in our district."

    — Listening Circle Attendee

  • "Jessie Neufeld, a parent of AISD students, took the megaphone in the middle of the group. [...] 'Standing up for our schools … is as critical as breathing, because education is oxygen and public schools are the lungs of our democracy.'"

    —ATX116 Co-founder, Jessie Neufeld, is quoted in the Austin Chronicle

  • "At a protest outside of the TEA headquarters earlier this month, Heather Wong, a former STEM instructional coach at Dobie MS, remembered getting the call from the district informing her that she didn’t “qualify” to stay at Dobie through its turnaround, a community she felt deeply tied to. 'Educators who have stayed for years, earning students’ trust, knowing families by name, designing meaningful lessons were suddenly deemed ineligible. Why? Because their impact and their work were reduced to test scores,' Wong pressed."

    —ATX116 Co-founder, Heather Wong, is quoted in the Austin Chronicle

Heather Wong, ATX116 Co-Founder — Rallying against harmful Turnaround Plans (TAPs) at TEA, Oct 5.

Jessie Neufeld, ATX116 Co-Founder — Rallying against harmful Turnaround Plans (TAPs) at TEA, Oct 5.

ATX116 co-founders Heather and Jessie tabling in the Education Village at No Kings Day 2025, with organizer Carrie King.

ATX116 co-founders Heather and Jessie tabling in the Education Village at No Kings Day 2025, with organizer Carrie King.

ATX116 outside TEA protesting TAPs with fellow educators, families, and community members

ATX116 outside TEA protesting TAPs with fellow educators, families, and community members

ATX116 partnered with Windsor Park Neighborhood Association School Committee to hold a cross-neighborhood event

ATX116 partnered with Windsor Park Neighborhood Association School Committee to hold a cross-neighborhood event

Co-founders Heather Wong and Jessie Neufeld featured in the Austin Chronicle — Heather is pictured addressing the Texas Education Agency in opposition to TAP restarts, and Jessie quoted: "We don't need takeovers. We need collaboration. We don't need

Co-founders Heather Wong and Jessie Neufeld featured in the Austin Chronicle — Heather is pictured addressing the Texas Education Agency in opposition to TAP restarts, and Jessie quoted: "We don't need takeovers. We need collaboration. We don't need you silencing our school board."

ATX116 partnered with Windsor Park Neighborhood Association School Committee to hold a cross-neighborhood event

ATX116 partnered with Windsor Park Neighborhood Association School Committee to hold a cross-neighborhood event

Co-founders Heather and Jessie tabling at Community Care Village during No Kings Day 2026

Co-founders Heather and Jessie tabling at Community Care Village during No Kings Day 2026