From Parent to PTO President: How One Mom's "Yes" Sparked a Difference at School
If I could share one message with parents across the country, it is this: you do not have to be an expert to make an impact. You just have to care enough to show up. Every successful event, every dollar raised, every ounce of school spirit, it all starts with someone saying, "Yes, I’ll help.”
I never expected a PowerPoint presentation to change my life—but that is exactly what happened. We often think leadership begins with a title, a resume, or a plan. For me, it began with PowerPoint, an unexpected nudge—and a whole lot of heart.
In the summer of 2021, like many families, we were emerging from the fog of the pandemic. It was a season of transition and uncertainty for all of us. For me, it was also a season of deep personal grief. I had recently lost my mentor—someone who had poured wisdom into my life for over a decade. His guidance shaped the way I think, the way I lead, how I listen, and how I live my life.
In his memory, I held tightly to the life lessons he shared, especially The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
- Be impeccable with your words.
- Do not take anything personally.
- Do not make assumptions.
- Always do your best.
I will be honest—these are deceptively simple but do not come naturally to someone like me, who wears her heart on her sleeve. But over time, they became a quiet compass, especially when I found myself facing new challenges or opportunities.
A New School, a New Start
That same summer, our family moved to a new community in Odessa, Florida—and with it came the exciting news that a brand-new school, Starkey Ranch K-8, was opening. As a full-time corporate working mom of three (then ages 9, 6, and soon-to-be newborn), I was thrilled. The opportunity to have all my kids under one roof during their most formative years felt like a gift.
We had come from a Title 1 school that we absolutely loved—a place where I had seen the power of involved parents and dedicated volunteers firsthand. I wanted to bring that same spirit of community into our new school.
So naturally, I did what any type-A mom with a vision would do: I made a PowerPoint.
I emailed PowerPoint to the new principal, whom I never met. It was full of ideas and traditions from our previous school; ways to build community and culture. Ways to make this new school feel more like a home than just a new building. I did not hear back right away, but when I finally did, I was invited to the school to meet with a small group of other parents who were also interested in getting involved. I did not know a single person in that room. I was very nervous.
Saying Yes Before You're Ready
When the principal asked if anyone might consider serving as the first PTO president, I sat quietly. Until a mom I had just met two minutes before the meeting pointed at me and said, “She made the PowerPoint. I think she should do it!” (The nudge I didn’t know I needed!)
I laughed nervously. “Wait—I don’t know how to be a PTO President!”
And I truly did not. I had never led a board, much less built one from scratch. But something in me said yes. Looking back, that moment was the spark of preparation and opportunity that lit a fire I did not know I had or even needed.
It was not about building a PTO. It was about building a community, something I, and so many others, craved after years of isolation.
Starting From Scratch
After that meeting, four parents, within three weeks, created the Starkey Ranch K-8 PTO, formed a board, created our PTO branding, created our bylaws, filed for our 501(c)(3), and created an ambitious plan with exactly zero dollars in the bank. We even secured a mascot, Rocky the Redhawk, thanks to a generous local business partner.
We launched a Business Partner program, and our VP hit the pavement to build support. Within months, seventy-five local businesses joined our mission, lining the car loop with banners. These partnerships helped us launch our first student incentive initiative, Brag Tags, and gave us momentum heading into our first big event.
Our First Win
Our first fundraiser in 2021—a reading pledge drive—was a leap of faith. We had no budget, and no idea what to expect. So, when the final numbers came in, over $120,000 raised, we were stunned. Our PTO and our school staff were in awe of how our families and community showed up with overwhelming generosity and school spirit.
But even more powerful than the dollars raised was what we were really building: connections. Families were showing up, teachers felt supported, kids were having fun, were proud of their school, and were excited to be part of something bigger than us.
It was working!
Leading, Learning—and Listening—the Agreements in Action
That first year was one of the hardest and most humbling of my life. I learned how to create budgets, lead meetings, navigate school district policies, and recruit volunteers (pro tip: food helps). In addition to welcoming a new baby, I also lost my father and brother during this time. I was emotionally and physically pushed to my limits, and it was only the first year.
We did not get everything right. Some ideas fizzled. There were mistakes, missteps, miscommunications, and moments of doubt. We launched an All-Pro Dads mentorship group that gained traction for a year but struggled to stay afloat without enough volunteers to sustain it.
And then there were the tough moments: the criticisms, the misunderstandings, the moments I went home wondering if I was the right person for the job.
But each misstep taught me something as I use The Four Agreements to keep myself grounded:
Agreement #1: Be impeccable with your words.
I learned to communicate clearly, especially when asking for help or giving credit where credit was due. I had to let go of perfection and embrace collaboration. Trusting others to share and shine made our team stronger.
Agreement #2: Do not take anything personally.
Some peer feedback stung. Some ideas failed miserably. But I learned not to let it define me or our PTO goals. I showed up consistently, and that was enough to keep the momentum going.
Agreement #3: Do not make assumptions.
When criticism came in, it was hard not to assume I was doing something wrong and, naturally, the people pleaser in me shut down. Instead, I learned that most often, what sounded like frustration was really someone saying, “I want to help, but I don’t know how.” I started listening differently. Leading differently and giving people space to contribute.
Agreement #4: Always Do your Best.
When life was demanding a lot from me personally, I learned that you don’t always need to be at your A-game to make an impact. Just show up, give what you can, when you can, and commit to doing your best in that moment. Over time, those efforts add up—and they do pay off.
Mistakes That Made Us Better
In our first year, we had 43 board members. Yes, 43!
Our hearts were in the right place, and we wanted everyone to have a voice. But with so many people involved, decision-making got cumbersome, communication was strained, and progress was a challenge. We realized that inclusivity must be paired with structure.
So, we streamlined not to exclude, but to empower. We opened opportunities for event chairs and committee leads, while clarifying roles on the board. That balance made all the difference.
What We Built Together
Over the next four years, our PTO raised over $600,000 with our annual reading pledge drive fundraiser and Business Partner Program. We funded:
- A 1:1 technology initiative for students
- Teacher classroom grants and givebacks
- A playground shade cover (fully funded in two years)
- Magnet programs, PBIS incentives, and online tools
- A Hawks with Hearts program—to support local schools during holidays and affected by hurricanes or hardship.
But it wasn’t just about fundraising. We built traditions, including our Teacher Welcome Back Breakfast, Kinder Boohoo Breakfast, the 3rd-5th Halloween Dance, Winterfest, Holiday Shop, K2 SOCK HOP, Staff Appreciation Week, The Brick Legacy Pathway, Birthday Club, Student of the Month, 8th Grade Formal, 5th Grade Fiesta, and so many more!
These became rituals our community looked forward to, and moments that made our school feel like home.
Some of our ideas and events were even recognized nationally by PTO Today, which shows the heart and soul our PTO poured into our school and community.
Partnering With Leadership: Alignment = Impact
One of the most important lessons I have learned is the value of alignment with school leadership. A PTO can have all the energy in the world, but without transparency and mutual respect with administration, it will not go far.
When the PTO and school leadership share goals and communicate openly, magic happens. Trust builds momentum and plans take shape more smoothly. The principal’s support, and our consistent collaboration, made all the difference.
What I Want Every Parent To Know
If I could share one message with parents across the country, it is this: You do not have to be an expert to make an impact.
You do not have to be loud, extroverted, have a ton of free time, or a lot of money. You just have to care enough to show up. Every successful event, every dollar raised, every ounce of school spirit, it all starts with someone saying, “Yes, I’ll help.”
Leadership does not always look like standing on stage. Sometimes it looks like folding T-shirts, sending reminder emails, calming a crying child, moving tables for a dance, putting stickers or communication into teachers’ mailboxes. Schools do not need superheroes. They need people, real, imperfect people, willing to show up and serve.
Leaving a Legacy, Looking Ahead
As I step away from this role, I do so with a full heart. I have grown as a parent, a leader, and a member of this community. We have built something sustainable, a PTO with strong systems, generous partners, and deep roots.
But most of all, we have modeled something powerful for our kids. We have shown them that service matters. That it’s okay to try, fail, and try again. Leadership is not about titles or control, it is about collaboration, connection, and heart. And in the end, when we come together, not just to raise money, but to raise each other, our schools thrive. And when our schools thrive, so do our children.
