WISCONSINPTA - Key Persons
One of my passions is advocating for every child and helping as many parents and community members get involved in schools, as well as their community. I believe that when we all get together, we have the greatest power to make our schools and community the best they can be.
I have one son who will soon be 29 years old and he is the reason that I became involved with PTA. I became involved in PTA when my son started high school. Starting off as a Local Unit President at Kelly High School in Chicago, I didn't know the impact that PTA would have on me until I started working with the parents in the school. My real "a-ha" moment was during our State Convention when I sat next to Otha Thornton, then National PTA President. As he asked me questions about what I thought about PTA and my involvement, I soon realized that it doesn't matter what position you hold in PTA, we are all regular people who want to make a difference in a child's life.
I have had the privilege of holding many positions in PTA - Local, District, Region, State and National - but my favorite part is when I get to express my excitement about doing all the wonderful advocating that I get to do because of what I have learned through PTA. I am currently President of Illinois Advocates for Children (a statewide PTA), Northwest Cook Region Reflections Chair, Wisconsin State PTA Conventions Chair and National PTA Conventions Committee Member. I have been trained in the State of Illinois to be a trainer and host Leadership Workshops. I am also able to teach financial literacy classes in both English and Spanish.
Ed lives in the Fond du Lac area and has been on the Wisconsin PTA Board of Directors for more than 5 years as a Region Advisor assisting units throughout the Northeast area of Wisconsin.
I'm Erica Christensen, and welcome to Wisconsin PTA. I am the newly added Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Chair. I started with PTA four years ago when my oldest son started kindergarten. Originally, I joined because, as a stay-at-home mom, I wanted to find ways to get involved and support not just my child but all of those at my son's school and within the district. It was quickly obvious to me that we needed to lift our voices together to provide equitable - not just equal - to all children in our communities. Since my start, I've joined advisory councils for the school board and have worked to become a voice of hope. I focus my efforts with social justice in mind, working to integrate policies that support all children and families, promote equitable opportunities, and engage in supportive education on diversity and belonging. I look forward to this opportunity with Wisconsin PTA and to being a voice for our children.
I joined the Board of Directors in 2017 as a seasoned PTA leader from West Allis, where I enjoyed many roles throughout the years that my children went to school in the district. Most recently, I am so honored to have served as your Wisconsin PTA President from 2021 - '23. I will continue to serve in my role as immediate past president serving as the WALU President, Local Relations Chair, and guidance to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors as a whole. Regionally, I will be the Region Advisor for Region A and any new units that are starting up this year.
Heather has been involved with PTA since 2014. She has served in both the treasurer and vice president roles for local units and councils in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District. Heather joined the state board in 2019 as an interim treasurer. In 2021 she was elected to serve a full term as treasurer for the Wisconsin PTA. She has a BA in accounting and works in the accounting field. Heather has three children and is actively involved with several other Wisconsin statewide organizations advocating for access and acceptance of mental health care, increased programming and services for students with disabilities, and getting families seats at the tables where decisions are being made. These experiences are what make her invaluable as an Education Chair and DEIB committee member. Heather helps to keep our board mindful of barriers that prevent all of our children reaching their full potential as well as, barriers that keep families and communities from the rooms where decisions are being made.
Rita loves her husband and her three children (two young adults and one in middle school). She loves her mother who lives with them often, and her father who is proud of his business. After growing up in Wausau, WI, Rita graduated from UW-Whitewater with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and soon after received her license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She now enjoys working for a family owned business after working several years in large accounting firms in Milwaukee, WI. Rita also enjoys volunteering at her church to spend time with the middle school and high school students for confirmation classes, retreats, and other gatherings. She has been an active PTA member since 2006, serving as a member, chairperson, and board member for the Wauwatosa PTAs in the elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as serving in board positions for the Wauwatosa Council of PTAs. She enjoys helping fellow PTA members learn about the PTA and how to be a leader in the PTA. She enjoys partnering with school staff and administration to accomplish shared goals.