This weekend, we’re celebrating a major milestone at TCEA—we’re turning 45!
Yes, you read that right. TCEA is celebrating 45 years of advancing education through the use of technology. And since we couldn’t have made it without you—our network of educators, both member and non-member (if you’re not a member, you can sign up for free next week!)—we wanted to bring you into the celebration with a look back at the timeline of TCEA, featuring ten growth milestones from May 3, 1980 ’til today!
You know what would make the celebration even better? Hearing from you! Join us by sharing your favorite TCEA memory (or memories!), and make sure to share the link with all of your TCEA connections.
May 3, 1980: TCEA is founded.
Thanks to the prep work of several TCEA pioneers, the timeline of TCEA officially starts on May 3, 1980, when 135 founding educators gathered for the organization’s first meeting. To join, each educator was responsible for paying $10 in dues. During that first working meeting, Steering Committees were formed to handle several areas of organizational concern, including correspondence, headed by Diana Radspinner; membership and monies, headed by Vicki Smith; and the organization’s Constitution and Bylaws, headed by Alice Kidd. By the end of May, TCEA had a logo, a plan, and an account balance of $982.50.
The original TCEA logo featured a computer in front of the Texas state outline.
October 4, 1980: The first TCEA Convention is held at North Texas State University.
While the first “convention” was certainly held in the organization’s first year, it looked much different from the TCEAs of today. With a budget of zero dollars and supported by multiple commercial representatives, like those from Regency Educational Systems, the board’s mission for this first official meeting was to propose and adopt a constitution, and to elect a board of directors. Both goals were accomplished, setting TCEA up for a lifetime of success.
1990: The first edition of Tech Edge Magazine goes to print.
Although TCEA had provided members with a printed newsletter since very early on in its history, the ever-growing organization maintained an equal rate of growth in the amount of information being sent. This resulted in the start of TCEA’s official publication, Tech Edge, a magazine that included bite-sized PD, organizational news and updates, interviews with ed tech professionals, activities, and so much more. The publication was retired in 2019, after 29 successful years, primarily due to the growing prevalence of digital publications.
The cover of TechEdge’s Feb. 2018 edition on Digital Transformation.
1998: TCEA relocates from Lubbock to Austin, TX.
Throughout the timeline of TCEA, the organization has resided in four total buildings. But the first of those wasn’t a business building at all. Rather, it was the home of our first part-time executive director, Robert Knight, in Lubbock, TX. But, in 1998, the organization’s headquarters was officially moved southeast to the Texas capitol, Austin. Throughout 1998 and 1999, TCEA made its home in a rented space at 604 W 9th Street for just $18,000/year.
TCEA’s first Austin address is listed as 604 W 9th Street, on the left side of this house.
Jan. 14, 2000: TCEA purchases its first building to accommodate 20 area directors.
During a late 1999 meeting, the TCEA board decided to expand its reach and voted to welcome in 20 area directors, as opposed to one or two from each of five distinct areas. But, with this increase in board members came a need for a space of our own. In January of 2000, under the guidance of President Cheri Halderman, TCEA purchased its first building in Austin, TX. This building was paid off the following year under President Lori Gracey, the organization’s current Executive Director!
TCEA’s first non-rental office building, purchased in early 2000.
2004: TCEA outgrows first building with eight full time staff members, buys larger building in Austin, TX.
Just a few short years later, the organization grew again! By 2004, TCEA had welcomed eight full time staff members, sparking the need for a larger building. A new building on Airport Road was purchased that year under President Janice Trompler and was paid off in 2010 under President Candace Threadgill.
June 2, 2014: TCEA moves to the current TCEA World Headquarters.
Another decade later, our staff had increased once again, reaching double digits by the 2010s. It was decided, then, that we needed to invest in a much larger building with room to host conferences and to grow. In 2014, the board sold TCEA’s second building to purchase one four times larger under President Kari Rhame. This building would come to be known as the TCEA World Headquarters and is still where our full time staff members work, today!
The TCEA World Headquarters in Austin, TX.
2016: Full time staff roster reaches 20 members.
What started as a completely board-led organization with a part-time Executive Director had blossomed in its first 35 years. And, by 2016, the staff roster finally reached 20! These 20 positions included an office assistant, publications specialist, associate director, training director, IT manager/webmaster, executive assistant, events and exhibits manager, second training director, director of governmental relations, director of member services, administrative assistant, third training director, director of accounting, graphics design specialist, membership/event assistant, senior director of professional development, conference services coordinator, marketing specialist, and events and exhibits coordinator. The TCEA staff reports to Executive Director Lori Gracey.
DID YOU KNOW? TCEA’s staff has hovered around the 20 member mark for the past decade. As of May 2025, our team consists of 18 full time staff members who are passionate about helping educators like you incorporate technology into your every day challenges, opportunities, and important moments.
The TCEA team volunteering at the Central Texas Food Bank during the 2024 holiday season.
Nov. 2024: The board votes to disband the area structure of TCEA to account for members outside of Texas.
By the time the 2020s came around, the timeline of TCEA was no longer limited to the Lone Star State. In fact, the rise of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic made it possible for educators all around the world to attend digital events and complete online courses with TCEA. So, in 2024, the TCEA board voted to do away with the previous area structure in an effort to include members from other geographical areas and prepare us for another 45 years of growth!
FUN FACT: As of late 2015, TCEA had 16,500 members. By 2020, that number topped 34,000. In 2025, we have a network of members nearly 86,000 strong, spanning both the nation and the globe.
May 3, 2025: TCEA turns 45 and looks forward to another incredible year!
That brings us to 2025, where the timeline of TCEA is far from over!
Here are some of the exciting goings-on in the next 12 months:
- June 15-17: Elementary Technology Conference
- June 24-26: Librarian Conference
- July 22-24: AI for Educators Conference
- Nov. 6-7: System Administrator and Technical Support Conference
- Jan. 31-Feb. 4: 2026 TCEA Convention & Exposition
Whether you’re a new member (or will be for FREE next week!) or you’ve been here since the start, thank you. Board and staff, alike, we couldn’t do our jobs without TCEA’s network of creative and innovative educators like you.
Psst! Before you go, don’t forget to share your favorite TCEA memory!