Michele Rodriguez
Headshot provided by Michele Rodriguez.
What drew you to the PTSA? - to be candid, worked with parents who felt Montessori was very important… in process of saving Montessori, worked w/ amazing ppl; met w talented consultant form Alaska Montessori w/ similar set up: “If u want M to exist and conventional teachers opposed, become involved in school in other ways”thought of ptas, as a kid, it felt elitist ( no work, better teachers, not serve needs of all children); hesitant to join… whatever they were doing was resonating robustly; a year later, running and voted in as prez, took off. Wanted to promote Montessori but became much bigger
How do you incentivize volunteers? - in person, especially w/ roller skating, ppl want to volunteer, especially if quantifiable (specific instructions w/ short pockets of time); volunteering feels good; a lot of ppl don’t know what’s wanted or needed or its not on their radar; this year grabbed clipboard and whistle to get volunteers (for appreciation week or rollerskating) — sometimes I need a nudge
Two-way street w/ volunteering; can benefit self and community
Paid job: I have worked on orcas recently; in hospitality and restaurant; wedding planning business before she had daughter; for some years part time for cloud 9; not something she wants to do anymore; helped Mariah w/ cleaning vacation rentals
Care partner for husbands mother and home school; not paid work but necessary work
Declared candidacy the year Linda Sheridan declared, but continued with PTSA; now feel voice is necessary now on school board; running opposed, officially declared
Fave Quote: mantra: “approach conflict with curiosity” dear friend Georgette Wong helped M temper passion for advocacy; helps G get riled up
Little Tokyo mall
Anime shop
Traveling across states - week 2
Las creces
Other work: women coalition, political candidate (??); organized meetings,
Equity in education; groups to compel school to do DEI training (diversity, equity, inclusion; social justice work)
During 2020, M and other community members pulled together a group to insist the school board include training and district agreed
PTSA: ending 3rd term as acting president (when they pull people for election, there was no running mate—a role others weren’t willing to step up for)
Not sure who will take over, no matter what will stand by to watch over transition process
Child advocacy group; everything through that lens
This year, offered social opportunities; safe drug free thru roller skating; using proceeds, built in teacher and staff appreciation w/ historic teacher appreciation week
Envisions we support p, t, students, and by doing so we support/advocate for children
This year: roller skating, appreciation
In past, clear social activist — kids had no where to go during school hours (parents essential workers) — steering committee unaware — ptas acted as conduit to bring in Hailee to talk to district to provide safe outdoor space for kids to zoom; parents wouldn’t have been able to serve then community if the kids didn’t have a place to be
Depends on what’s needed; flexible org. That identifies most pressing needs and to serve them
Proud of me
