PTA might be a common volunteer role for people in the U.S. For many of us as immigrants, it isn’t.

In Palo Alto, it’s a very serious commitment.

The influence PTA has on school campuses is huge.

A big part of our kids’ sense of belonging, their fun, and their community-building experiences is created by the PTA.

I started in the classroom as a Room Parent.

I took the step into an officer role once I felt more confident and realized something: to bring the PTA closer to my Latino community, people needed to see us there. Since then, I’ve been serious and intentional about making everyone feel they belong. I have served on Nominating Committees that recruit diverse leaders across schools, ethnicities, and professional backgrounds, and on countless other committees where I make sure our voices are represented and heard.

I take on roles with higher responsibility to lead by example, bring people together, and refocus us on what matters most: the mission of the PTA to care about every child, youth, and family.

Sometimes I ask myself why I take on these contentious situations and this level of responsibility, time away from my family and my personal and professional projects, for a 100% volunteer role. Many of my friends have asked me that a thousand times.

Today I know it’s for something greater. Representation matters. It truly does.

I love doing trainings. I’ve done them most of my professional life, but this time it has meant more. California is one of the states with the most Spanish speakers in the country, yet I had never been asked to speak Spanish in a PTA training, in any role I’ve held. That changed a few months ago. During a training, someone asked: Can I ask my question in Spanish? And could you please answer in Spanish as well?

BOOM! I said yes, of course! Then other officers started asking me how to engage with the Latino families in their regions, where many parents speak Spanish.

Today I send emails fully in Spanish and hold meetings in Spanish with PTA officers.

It is worth it! In California, PTA shapes our kids’ experience at school. It’s our responsibility to make the most of it and offer healthy, fun, and safe spaces for every child.

I’ve given thousands of hours to PTAs in Palo Alto and across Northern California, and I love it.

The slide below is from a general presentation I use in my PTA trainings. I adapted it from a California State PTA presentation last year, and I loved it.

I tell everyone: When in doubt, ask yourself, What do you PTA? And you will feel it.

Are you part of your local PTA? If you are, thank you for your time! If you’re not, would you like to try it?