Message from Executive Director

Who should be a PTA member?

Everyone.  It is that simple.

Two years ago, I came on board as the Executive Director for the Michigan PTSA and, admittedly, I did not have a PTA background.  The history and mission of PTA were new to me and what I learned was both enlightening and encouraging.

PTA has played an instrumental role in many education advancements, laws, and setting standards for child health and safety issues.  From the introduction of child labor laws to the establishment of kindergarten to the Salk Polio Vaccine trials, PTA has been on the forefront as a champion for children.

In February, PTA celebrates Founder’s Day.  Think of the incredible vision it took for Alice McLellan Birney and Phoebe Apperson Hearst to found the National Congress of Mothers in 1897.  Think of the determination of Selena Sloan Butler as she organized the first Colored Parent-Teacher unit in Atlanta in 1911 and then continued on to form the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers (NCCPT) in 1926.  Think of the extreme courage it took for Clara Gay and Pearl Price to sign the document that formally united the National Congress of Colored Parents and Teachers and the National Congress of Parents and Teachers in 1970.  How many of us have that vision…that determination…that courage today?

In Michigan, we are faced with many challenges…a weak economy…a crisis in education funding…unemployment at unforeseen levels…more.  Some of these crises we will have to face on our own; others we can impact more significantly if we work together.

Michigan PTSA’s vision after 92 years is the same vision that PTA began with 113 years ago: 
everychild.onevoice.

Regardless of whether the parent group at your school is a PTA/PTSA or a different parent group (it may be PTG, PTO, LSCO, etc.), if all of your children are grown or if you have no children, we all have the same desire to see children succeed.

I invite you to partner with us to advocate for the best possible future for the children of Michigan – for children everywhere – by becoming a Michigan PTSA member at the state level.  Print a membership application here or from the home page of our website at www.michiganpta.org.

Let this new year be the start of a brighter future!

Sandra York
Michigan PTSA Executive Director

Michigan PTA - 3300 Washtenaw Avenue, Suite 220 - Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
Email: director@michiganpta.org - Website: www.michiganpta.org - Phone: (734) 975-9500