Continuing our PTA Spotlight Series, we are excited to share our interview with Michelle Maloney from Harrison Intermediate in Wylie ISD ! Michelle is the PTA President at Harrison Intermediate and serves on the WISD Council of PTAs as the Health Ed/SHAC Chair.
How did you initially get involved with PTA?
When my twins started Kindergarten in 2019, I didn’t know much about our PTA and was never recruited for membership. But, that Spring, our executive board held a Board Open House to recruit leadership for the following year and I have been a PTA board member ever since.
What is your favorite program, activity, or event that your PTA organizes?
We are an intermediate school (grades 5-6). Each Fall the PTA sponsors the Welcome Back dances for our students. For 5th graders, this is their first social opportunity at school, and it is so much fun to watch them experience it for the first time.
How did you initially build and then maintain a long-term relationship with the school administration?
Coming in blind, it was important to get started right away and build relationships as soon as possible. I didn’t wait for the new year. As soon as election results were posted, I introduced myself to admin, started attending events and volunteering where needed and scheduled a planning meeting with the Principal to map out the upcoming year. By the time school started that Fall, we had already been working together for months so it felt like a seamless transition. I also make sure that during meetings we treat our admin as a full executive board member, one of us, not just a guest.
What is the most rewarding part about being involved with your PTA?
I have the unique opportunity to get to know so many of our students and their families. I can’t walk through campus without being stopped for hugs and “Hellos!” from all the students I get to support.
How do you maintain your energy and motivation?
I don’t – not always. There will always be seasons where we give a lot and seasons where we are barely getting by. The key is to build an amazing leadership team so you can all be there for each other. If my board cannot keep everything moving forward without me, then I have not done a very good job as President.
Are there any technology tools that you have found particularly helpful?
We are still largely a Facebook community. Our PTA Facebook page is still the best, first place to get up to date information. But we also leverage our amazing relationship with our Principal who provides us a PTA corner in her weekly parent newsletter.
Sonic or Starbucks?
Starbucks! I am aware that there are people who do not drink coffee, but I don’t fully understand how that works. : )
Do you have a resolution or word for the new year?
When I started my first term as President, my motto was “transparency and collaboration.” I approach every PTA task and everything I do as President with this in mind.