The Mission of the Louisiana Parent Teacher Association
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the oldest and largest child advocacy organization in America. Comprising over 2.5 million parents, teachers, grandparents, caregivers, foster parents, and other concerned adults, today's PTA is dedicated to enhancing the education, health, and safety of all children. We advocate with one voice for every child. Numerous benefits that children enjoy today, such as universal kindergarten, the National School Lunch Program, and the juvenile justice system, have been achieved through the PTA's efforts. The PTA's extensive network empowers parents with the platform and tools to collectively shape the decisions impacting children. This advocacy is distinctive to PTA. Why do we PTA? To make every child's potential a reality!
What Does LAPTA Do?
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Makes every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
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Advocates for children at the local, state, and federal levels, including the National Legislative Conference in Washington, DC with the members of Congress.
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Assists Local PTAs in building community through programs that promote student achievement, creativity, and inclusiveness.
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Makes sure Local PTA Units have the same purposes and principles as National PTA.
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Ensures Local PTA Units operate according to National PTA’s vision, mission, values, policies and legislative and advocacy priorities, positions, and resolutions.
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Aids the local units in maintaining compliance with National PTA, LAPTA, and IRS rules and requirements.
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Forwards the National PTA dues portion from Local PTA Units’ dues submitted to LAPTA.
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Represents all Louisiana PTA members by participating in and voting at the National PTA Convention.
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Judges the final round of the Louisiana Teacher of the Year Award by the Louisiana Department of Education.
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Member of Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families.
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Hosts LAPTA Leadership Training in August and privately throughout the year for individual PTAs as needed.
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Offers LAPTA grants to help fund Local PTA Units in providing engaging, educational, and fun opportunities for children, families, and communities.
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Assists PTA leaders if challenges occur in accomplishing the primary mission of their unit.
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Helps create new PTAs, reinstate unaffiliated PTAs, and close defunct PTAs.
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Facilitates contests for students such as the National PTA Reflections Program and awards state winners.
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Holds the annual LAPTA General Membership Meeting.
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Awards all winners of our contests, grants, and awards programs.
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Offers awards for volunteers, advocacy efforts, and membership accomplishments.
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And more!
Meet the LAPTA Board of Directors
We are always looking for volunteers to serve on the Louisiana PTA Board of Directors as a committee chair or committee member. Many of the LAPTA Board members serve on other PTA Boards. Please contact any of us to talk about joining our krewe!
Beth Maillho
President, 2024-2026
Hello! My name is Beth Maillho (Mail-Oh). I'm humbled to serve as President for 2024 - 2026! This is my 16th year serving as a PTA officer in every position at Madisonville Elementary, Lancaster Elementary, Madisonville Jr High, and Mandeville High. I'm happily married to André and we have four children. Our youngest is currently a senior at Mandeville High in Mandeville where I am also the PTSA VP. I am a Realtor by profession, and I also enjoy volunteering with Rachel's Vineyard Ministries, fostering newborn babies, and other worthy causes.
Philip Davis
VP of Affiliation
& LA Lagniappe PTSA
Hello! My name is Philip Davis. This is my 6th year in the PTA. My spouse and I are the proud parents of six children who keep our lives lively and full of joy. Being part of the PTA has been truly rewarding for me. I've enjoyed working with dedicated teachers, staff, and fellow parents to create a supportive and enriching environment for our students. I am also the President of Louisiana Lagniappe PTSA which is the statewide unit.
Jennifer Hale
VP of Leadership Development
For the past 15 years, I've been actively involved PTA in various board and committee positions. Currently, I'm serving as the VP of Leadership Development for the second year. I'm a proud mother of two daughters - my oldest is studying at the University of Southern Mississippi, and my youngest is a sophomore at Fontainebleau High School, where I am the PTSA President. Professionally, I work as a Legal Assistant at Loeb Law Firm, with over 20 years of experience in legal field. I enjoy watching K-dramas and K-pop, am an avid BTS fan.
Ashley Snell
Treasurer
My name is Ashley Snell. This is my 2nd year as LAPTA Treasurer. I've worked in the finance world for almost 20 years! My husband, Chris, and I have three amazing children, Emily, Miles, & Henry. I am also the PTSA President at Caddo Magnet High, Treasurer of the CMHS Lacrosse Booster Club, and Parent Liaison for A.C. Steere Elementary PTA. I enjoy traveling, hosting events with family and friends, bunco, reading, and attending my kids' sporting events.
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OPEN
Secretary
Could this be you? To qualify, applicants need to have experience on a any PTA Board of Directors. Come join us!!
Peggy Mauer
Membership Chair
Hi, my name is Peggy Mauer. I am a mother of six children, and my kids attend Honey Island Elementary, Little Oak Elementary, Boyet Junior High, and Pearl River High. I have been married to Joseph for 20 years. I am currently serving for the second year on the LAPTA Board and on the Local PTAs at some of my kids' schools.
Rachel Penwell
Reflections Chair
Hello! My name is Rachel Penwell. This is my 12th year in PTA. I am married to Kevin, who serves in the United States Air Force. We have twins who are juniors at Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport. Professionally, I serve as the Ministry Assistant for The Learning Center at Broadmoor Baptist Church, a sweet Preschool located in Shreveport.
Jessica Latin
Healthy Minds Champion
Hi! I'm Jessica Latin. As a licensed professional counselor and doula, I am passionate about mental health. I serve as Secretary for the Judson Warriors PTA in Shreveport and am a wife and mother of two elementary students.
Giselle Allen
Federal Legislative Chair
& Administrative Director
I have been active in Louisiana PTA for 20 years. I've served as a local unit volunteer coordinator, secretary, treasurer, membership and president. I joined the team at State as a trainer. I was elected treasurer and then as vice president before serving as LAPTA president (2013-2015). My next position was Federal Legislative Chair. I was the local liaison when we hosted a National PTA Convention in 2018. Through all of my PTA journey, I've been supported by my husband, Tom, and two children, Phoebe and Carter.
Doris Glass-Heckert
Special Education Chair
Hello! My name is Doris Glass-Heckert. This is my 12th year serving in PTA. I am married to my college sweetheart, Jonathan and together we are raising one miracle boy, Jackson, who is 17 and a senior. I’ve been an advocate and involved in the special education world since Jackson started preschool at 2.5 years old. Advocacy, inclusion, and empowering parents, caregivers, and students are my life and my passion.
Latonyaw Thompson-Richmond
Contests & Grants Chair
Hello! My name is Latonyaw Thompson-Richmond and this is my 2nd year serving on the LAPTA Board. I also proudly serve the PTA at University Elementary in Shreveport. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and military veteran, and I'm super excited to work with the team to make every child's potential a reality!
LAPTA Toolkit Sec 1. Louisiana PTA and National PTA
Louisiana PTA Office; Board of Directors................................. 4
History of Louisiana PTA................................................................... 5
Louisiana PTA Office........................................................................... 6
What does LAPTA Do?........................................................................ 6
Friends of LAPTA................................................................................... 7
Mission Partners of LAPTA............................................................... 7
About National PTA.............................................................................. 8
National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships....9