My Experience in the PTA

One of the experiences that catapulted me into running for BOE is my involvement in the PTA at my children’s elementary school. The year my son started Kindergarten, I volunteered to coordinate our PTA’s switch from a paper to an electronic student directory. I continued administering the student directory for years and took our PTA into the digital age with a website and the ability to accept electronic payments.

When my twin daughters started Kindergarten, I organized a playground and popsicle meet-and-greet so that families could get to know one another before the start of school. To this day I remain friends with some of the other moms I met on the playground at my son’s Kindergarten meet-and-greet and so it was important to me that other families have that opportunity. The Kindergarten Meet-and-greet tradition has continued with our PTA as incoming students and their families meet up each August.

After COVID, I took on the role of PTA President and focused on rebuilding our volunteer base and re-engaging families. I guided us in bringing back the school store and science fair and re-establishing many of our committees.

Our elementary school families probably remember me for my detailed weekly PTA newsletters. Each Friday afternoon we would send out an easily readable, link-filled email that helped to inform families, increase engagement, and enable communication. I heard over and over that families liked the newsletters so I continued those for all 3 years I was PTA President.

Additionally, during that time, we created a PTA Advocacy committee, because the core mission of the PTA is to be an advocacy organization, not a fundraising organization. Our PTA Advocacy Committee kept up with board meetings, school funding information, and Blueprint implementation plans and communicated summaries to our community.

I stepped up to be a leader in our PTA because I care for not only my own kids and friends, but for our whole community. I want Carroll to have the best future possible – and that future is our young people. I hope to continue working for our children, our educators, and our county if I am elected to the Carroll County Board of Education.