Leadership Development Expert Takes Helm of National PTA

Leadership Development Expert Takes Helm of Nation’s Preeminent Child Advocacy Association

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (July 9, 2019)—Leslie Boggs, a leadership development expert from Odessa, Texas, has been installed as the 56th president of National PTA, the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer child advocacy association. Boggs’ installation took place during a ceremony held in conjunction with the 2019 National PTA Convention & Expo in Columbus, Ohio.

Boggs is a certified DISC trainer and a professional consultant. She also has a certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and is a member of the John Maxwell Team and Mentorship. Additionally, Boggs has over 20 years of leadership experience at all levels of PTA. For the past two years, she served as president-elect of National PTA. She has also served as chair of several National PTA committees. At the state level, she served as president of Texas PTA from 2014-2016 and was president of New Mexico PTA from 2003-2005.

As a mother of three and a grandmother of four, Boggs is a dedicated and passionate advocate for children and their right to receiving a quality public education no matter their demographics, ethnicity or household income.

“Leslie’s expertise and strong leadership skills will be tremendous assets to National PTA and in guiding our association’s work to make every child’s potential a reality,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “She is committed to making a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child, and we are pleased to welcome her as president.”

As president, Boggs will fight for more funding for mental health access for students as well as for legislation that ensures schools are safe from gun violence. She will also fight for more funding for public schools and to strengthen family engagement for all children. Under her leadership, National PTA will be starting an Engage Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative through its Center for Family Engagement.

“PTA is a community that accepts all and engages and empowers one another to lead, listen, be vulnerable and be courageous as we raise our voices for all children,” said Boggs. “I believe that servant leadership empowers others to reach their potential. I am honored and grateful to dedicate the next two years of my life to leading National PTA and working with the most passionate group of advocates and volunteers to make a difference for the lives and futures of every child.”

Boggs will serve as president of National PTA until June 2021.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.

Highlights from 2019 National PTA Convention

See below for highlights of the 2019 National PTA Convention from your MOPTA leaders.

National PTA Launches STEM + Families Fellowship Program

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (May 31, 2019)—National PTA is pleased to announce the creation of a fellowship program for its STEM + Families initiative. Through this program, funded by Bayer, graduate students will help develop interactive science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) experiences that engage entire families.

“Engaging families together in STEM experiences is essential to support every child’s success in STEM and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals,” said Jim Accomando, president of National PTA. “Our new fellowship program will help increase family engagement in STEM by giving families activities they can do together at home. We are grateful to Bayer for its support.”

STEM + Families is a national effort to engage entire families, inspire interest and support student success in STEM with experiences at school, at home, in the community and through digital learning. Bayer is the presenting and founding sponsor of the initiative with additional support from founding sponsor Mathnasium and supporting sponsors ThinkFun and littleBits.

Since the launch of STEM + Families in 2016, nearly $500,000 in funding, products and materials has been awarded to PTAs across the country to host events for students and families that feature fun and meaningful hands-on STEM experiences. The fellowship program will support and enhance the learning experiences at these events with new activities students and families can do and discuss together at home.

“We are excited to bring graduate students and National PTA together in support of STEM education outreach,” said Sarah Toulouse, executive director, Bayer USA Foundation. “The fellows will have a unique perspective on engaging students and families in fun STEM-focused activities and on bringing them together to talk about jobs in STEM fields.”

“We are pleased to build on our STEM + Families initiative with the launch of our fellowship program,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “The program will enhance our efforts in showing students and families how much fun STEM can be and the many education pathways and STEM careers available to them, which is important to help children realize their full potential and ensure the long-term economic success of our nation.”

About National PTA

Bayer: Science For A Better Life

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2018, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of 39.6 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.6 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

Melissa Randol Executive Director, Missouri School Boards’ Association knows how important PTA is!

“PTA is another great organization any member of the community can be a part of to stay involved in our schools. (You don’t have to have a child in school to be a member of PTA.)”

Check out her full interview here: https://columbiabusinesstimes.com/2019/04/29/melissa-randol-executive-director-missouri-school-boards-association/?fbclid=IwAR2gBDNxqfCUUrYjyNMohCW-Knk6v63IqlgyWa6vyei_STky7rdT5jURf3c

@MSBA #PTAProud #MOPTA

National PTA and Families Applaud House FY2020 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (May 8, 2019)—National PTA issued the following statement on the appropriations bill passed today by the U.S. House of Representatives that would fund labor, health and human services and education programs for Fiscal Year 2020. The statement can be attributed to National PTA President Jim Accomando:

“National PTA and families applaud the funding increase included in the bill for public education, as well as the dedication of $15 million for the Statewide Family Engagement Centers (SFECs) program. Opportunity starts and ends with access to a great education and family engagement is essential to student success and school improvement efforts, which include efforts to make our schools safer. Federal investment in public education and family engagement are critical to ensure every child receives a high-quality education in an environment that is safe and reaches their full potential.

“National PTA and families are also pleased to see the increases in funding in the bill for Title I, Title IV-A and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These programs help ensure our nation’s students have the supports they need to succeed in school as well as receive well-rounded educational opportunities, learn in healthy and safe school environments and have opportunities to use technology in the classroom.

“Additionally, National PTA and families are pleased to see the language included in the bill that clarifies that federal funds cannot be used to purchase firearms or provide firearm training for educators. This language ensures critical resources are not diverted away from essential student support services to put guns in schools. Further, the bill allocates $50 million to support firearm injury and mortality prevention research, with the potential to identify interventions that will save hundreds of thousands of lives.

“For years, PTA members and families nationwide have been advocating for investments in public education, family engagement and programs that ensure all children can learn and thrive in school and beyond. We commend the House Appropriations Committee for acknowledging and addressing the importance of public education, family engagement and these programs, and we urge Congress to raise the budget caps and pass a funding bill that provides critical resources for students, families and schools.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.