2024-2025 PTO Executive Board Candidates
Executive Board Role :: President
Candidate – Cheri Pierce | Meet Cheri
Hello Wildcats!
My name is Cheri Pierce, and I am running for my second term as president of our awesome PTO. I was born in Chicago, IL and have called Arizona home since my freshman year in high school. I have been a flight attendant for 20 years and am lucky enough to have a flexible schedule that allows me to dedicate time to our teachers, staff, and most importantly, our Tavan students and their families. This will be my fourth year on the PTO, and if elected, my final year as president. My husband Curt and I have two children; Charles, a 3rd grader, and Tessa, who is a freshman in college up north, but many years ago attended pre-k and kindergarten at Tavan. I have seen so much change at Tavan over the years and my goal, with the help of our amazing PTO board and volunteers, is to continue to grow our community events so we can better support our teachers!
Executive Board Role :: Vice President
Candidates – Kristie Austin and Pamela Smith
Meet Kristie
Hello Tavan Community,
I’m Kristie Austin, and I’m running for vice president with a vision to create a school environment that is welcoming and supportive for all families. I believe that families should have the opportunity to be active participants at Tavan and should feel connected to their children’s learning community. I have a B.A. in Elementary Education from NAU and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from ASU. I taught 4th and 6th grade for ten years. Most of my career was spent in a Title I school where I learned the central role a school plays in a family’s life. I then transitioned into a role as a master/mentor teacher where I guided and empowered educators with tools and strategies necessary to cultivate a nurturing educational environment.
At Tavan, we’re fortunate to have resources that cater to diverse learning needs. As a master/mentor teacher, I’ve advocated for these resources and witnessed their impact. As a parent of Tavan students, an active PTO Secretary, and homeroom mom, I understand the importance of community. My goal is to ensure that families of children with unique abilities feel supported and connected.
Thank you for your trust. Together, we can make Tavan a place where families come together, and every student’s potential is enriched.
Meet Pamela
I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in serving as the Vice President of the Tavan PTO Board. With my comprehensive background in the business and human resources field, coupled with a proven track record of leadership and achievement, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to the Tavan PTO Board. In my service, I also served as the former VP of Outreach for the SUSD Parent Council. I am a Prior Military, formerly Intelligence Analyst with the United States Army, 102nd MI Battalion. My academic journey has equipped me with a solid foundation for strategic leadership. I hold a BS in Business Management from the University of Maryland with a minor in Law. I will be graduating this upcoming May with my Paralegal degree, and then moving to a J.D program this fall.
I have consistently demonstrated my capacity to lead high-performing teams and deliver results. I believe that it is the role of the vice president to bring leadership, collaboration, event planning management, and membership engagement and advocacy. I have demonstrated strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills, and a passion for making a positive impact within our school community. With my knowledge and experience with all of these responsibilities and duties associated within the position.
Throughout my involvement with the Tavan PTO and various school activities, I have gained valuable insights into the needs and concerns of our diverse community. As an active parent, I understand the importance of fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all voices are heard.
Executive Board Role :: Treasurer
Candidate – Chelsea Hassler | Meet Chelsea
My name is Chelsea Hassler, and I am honored to be in my second term as treasurer for our PTO. I have two kiddos at Tavan, one in kinder and a 2nd grader. One of the highlights of being involved in the PTO is building relationships with our amazing teachers and staff.
I have a B.A. in Business Administration from ASU and I am a local business owner. I have been able to apply my financial management expertise to support the school community as the treasurer.
I strongly feel that community engagement is crucial for a school's success. It has been a privilege and a joy to assist the Tavan teachers and staff this school year and I am excited about the upcoming plans for next year!
Executive Board Role :: Secretary
Candidate – Amber Dolego | Meet Amber
Hello, I am Amber Dolego and I am running for PTO Secretary for the 24-25 school year. I have two daughters who both will be attending Tavan during that time, one in first grade and the other in pre-kinder. I wish to join the PTO board so that I can work collaboratively with fellow parents and educators to create engaging and memorable experiences for our children. Whether it's organizing events, supporting fundraisers, or participating in discussions about school initiatives, I am eager to contribute my time, skills, and enthusiasm to support and build the Tavan community. I look forward to the possibility of serving on the PTO and working together to make Tavan Elementary even more exceptional!
Executive Board Role :: Dad’s Club President
Candidate – Matt Tortora | Meet Matt
I have two kids that attend Tavan, both in the 2nd grade. This was my first year as the Tavan Dad’s Club President; my main objective was to increase the number of dads involved in Tavan’s PTO events and to build a sense of community with the Tavan dads. We met monthly to discuss how we can support and help our community through engaging events and through these meetings we designed and created the Haunted House exhibit during Hi-Jinx, we supported and helped with the Sweetheart Dance, and volunteered for other PTO sponsored events. The main goal of the Tavan’s Dad Club during the 2024 – 2025 school year is to continue to build a sense of community with our Tavan dads and to work on creating a Tavan Talent Show, so the community can see the great talents that our Tavan students have.
