Not quite sure what the PTA is or does? You are not alone, a lot of us felt that way before we got involved ourselves!
The roles and relationships between the school, the district and the PTA - with all the different communication points - is confusing. The PTA is a membership group to allow the school community to organize, advocate, celebrate and support the school and its community. Think of the PTA as a bridge between families and the school administration. The more voices of the community we hear, the better the PTA can serve its purpose.
Executive Board Members
President
Vigdis Bronder-Haas
is now in her second term, with two kids in the neighborhood program. A lawyer who’s part Norwegian, French, and New Jerseyan, she loves skiing and hiking. She’s still learning the ropes, so reach out with questions or suggestions!
VP of Planning
Kelly Messori
is a parent of a first grader in the DLI program. She has a background in linguistics and education and now works in marketing. In her spare time, she writes children’s books that help families have conversations about stranger safety.
VP of Communications
Mattie Tiegreen
is a parent to a 3rd grader and a Kindergartener and works as a Creative Director at a women's travel company. In her free time she loves to garden, read, and surf.
Co-Secretaries
Jodi & Jeff Swartfager
Treasurer
Joseph Shockley
lives in the neighborhood with his wife, 2 kids (3rd and 6th DLI), and dog Benito. He's been working in nonprofits for over 20 years.
Assistant Treasurer
Aaron David Scott
Appointed Board Members
Auction Co-Chair: Michelle Luu-George
is a parent to a 3rd grader and a 1st grader. She’s a community organizer who loves bringing people together. She also coordinates Atkinson’s Lunar New Year celebration. In her free time, she loves to garden, read, and hike.
Auction Co-Chair: Harmony Quiroz
is a parent to a 4th grader in the neighborhood program and a 7th grader at Harrison Park. A former Atkinson PTA president, she works as a project manager for AP Curriculum and Assessment.
Programs Chair: Ki Gaines
Ki is a parent of a 3rd grader and a Kindergartener in the neighborhood program. Ki is the Director of Counseling at a small local university.
Outdoor Learning Garden Chair: Kelsi Herman
is looking for a co-chair! She has two kids, one in the DLI program and a little one in daycare. Trained in linguistics, she shifted to garden education six years ago and never looked back. She’s at her best outdoors!
Volunteer Coordinator: Jessica Baker
mama to five: first grader in the neighborhood program, a fifth grader in DLI, and three teens at Franklin High. She’s a licensed marriage, family therapist and integrative health counselor. You’ll find her in the kitchen, garden, or a book.
Hospitality Chair: Katie Czerwinski
is a former 6th grade teacher who loves creating a welcoming school and spoiling Atkinson’s amazing teachers. She’s mom to three Atkinson kids (5th, 3rd, and K) and loves reading, crafting, and being in nature.
Advocacy Chair: Jessica Snyder
parents a third grader and a kindergartener, and is an Atkinson alum herself! Jessica is a federal public defender and was previously a community organizer for an education advocacy nonprofit.
Member At Large Teacher: Laura Humphrey
is a mom of two who has taught elementary school in Portland Public Schools for over 20 years. She’s also the proud partner of Hildegard, her certified therapy dog, who brings joy and comfort wherever she goes.
Member At Large: James Dillard
has served on the PTA Board since 2022, including two years as Vice President. His eldest went through Atkinson’s neighborhood program and is now at Harrison Park, and his youngest is a 4th grader in the neighborhood program.
Member At Large: Callie Barish
is mom to four: two Atkinson alums (Franklin freshman and Harrison Park sixth grader) and two 2nd graders in the neighborhood program. She’s a part-time pediatric PT for Vancouver Public Schools, full-time family chauffeur and chef, and former PTA co-president.
Member at Large: Danielle Garcia
is a parent to a 4th grader and a kindergartner in the neighborhood program and looks forward to another year on the board.
Amigos Community & Culture Rep: Erin Lopez
is mom to a 5th grader in the Spanish DLI program and loves celebrating our school’s cultural diversity. She helps bring traditions like Día de los Muertos and Día de los Niños to life. With a bilingual family, Erin values the ties between language, culture, and community.
✷ Fundraising Chair: VACANT
✷ Outdoor Learning Garden Co-Chair: VACANT
Interested in learning more about PTA roles and ways to be involved?