The Parent Network
About Us and our Mission
Kyrene Parent Network is:
.
A non-profit educational organization
. Made up of and serving parents and
community members
. From both Tempe Union High School & Kyrene
Elementary Districts
Goals and Objectives are:
.
Based on input from parents
. Center on current educational issues
. In Tempe Union High School & Kyrene
Elementary Districts
. As well as Arizona and the nation
We offer:
.
Monthly newsletters
. Monthly meetings with guest speakers
. Email Red Alerts
Information Includes:
.
Recaps of governing board meetings, district committee meetings, PSC
meetings
. Updates on legislative issues
. Policy changes within our districts
. Contact information for both districts
. Notice of upcoming decisions
Mission:
To advocate for the highest quality of education for all students in the Kyrene and Tempe Union High School districts, by promoting dialogue and consistent communication among all stakeholders, and by offering enrichment topics and opportunities to build on successes in our own and other school districts.
Scope:
Considers all educational issues impacting every child, every grade level, every subject in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in our local school districts
Bylaws: Click here to view
Articles of Incorporation: Click here to view
2008-2009 Board Members
Board
President: Sandy Lowe
MBA,
B.A. in Social Welfare
Stay-at-home mom; former Research, Rate and Statistical Analyst for 18 years at
Arizona Public Service Company
Home: 480-961-0388
My husband, Mike, and I have lived in the same house in South Tempe for almost 21 years, where both our boys attended Kyrene schools. From the time our first son entered school, I took a great interest in volunteering as a way to be a part of his education and to familiarize myself with Kyrene. I have been involved in parent groups for 11 years, chairing two sock hops, and acting as President of both the Mariposa elementary PTO and the Pueblo PTA. Our two sons attend Corona del Sol High School.
I also had a wonderful opportunity to substitute teach in the Kyrene School District for 6 years, where I learned many positive things about education from our own awesome teachers. From having boys that don't relish going to school, I realize how important it is for an all-around education to ensure all kids have exposure to many different areas not only to enable them to make informed decisions about their future but to hold their interest in staying in school and pursuing higher education.
1st Vice President: Eduarda Schroder
Bachelor of Social Work, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
Certified Transportation Broker
Cell: 480-242-1963
I've lived in
Arizona for 13 years and Tim and I have two daughters in elementary school in
the Kyrene School District. I was born and raised in Mozambique, and lived
in Portugal as well, before moving to the US at 15 years of age.
Portuguese is my first language.
I am a board member of the Cielo PTO and Arts Council for Youth.
Educating children for success is a passion that brought me to the Parent Network.
Corporate Treasurer: Ann Niemann
MBA in Int'l Management, B.A. in International Relations
(four-part major in political science, economics, history, and geography, with
minor in sociology)
Business Consultant, Public Speaker, Writer
former Exec Dir of nonprofit int'l adoption agency, working primarily with
Russia and China
Home: 480-704-0736; Cell: 602-568-3455
My daughter, Holly Nordquist , is a student at Desert Vista HS and performs in school and community theatre; an award-winning speech competitor; and plays violin in symphony orchestra. Another daughter, Heather, is a senior at ASU on academic scholarship, grad of Desert Vista HS, paid theatre and film actor, sings, and has excelled on the speech team. We moved into this area specifically because of fine arts with strong academic curriculum, based on Internet research. We have five more adult children, plus two adult stepchildren, and one adult foster daughter.
Corporate Secretary: Adela C. Burke
B.A. in Humanities with an emphasis in History
Stay-at-home mom; former Executive Assistant and Office Manager corporate
positions
My husband is a physician and together we have three children. Most of my time
is spent raising a daughter who attends Mountain Pointe High School ,
a son at Kyrene del Milenio , and a 5-year-old son at home. I have
volunteered my time in the classroom at Kyrene del Milenio and as a chaperone at
Akimel Middle School . I currently volunteer as a parent booster for Mountain
Pointe High School Orchestra, and also teach Sunday School . I have held
numerous volunteer positions in my church over the years, including Girls
Athletic Director, Assistant Camp Director, Nursery Leader, and youth advisor.
With 10 plus years of corporate experience, I've held positions working as an Executive Assistant, Coordinator in Quality and Customer Satisfaction, and Office Manager for Novell, Inc. in San Jose , CA . I later spent three years working as an Office Manager for a computer start-up company in San Jose . In this position I managed the administrative personnel, handled employee compensation and benefits, recruiting, payroll, light accounting, and any human resource issues within the organization.
I became involved in the The Parent Network when I recognized the need for better communication between the Kyrene School District and parents in the community. My goal is to work with parents and the district to help our students excel to the best of their ability, and to help make Kyrene and Tempe Union world-class school districts.
Vice President of Curriculum and Development: Arfe Ozcan
Ph.D in
Educational Administration
MA in Educational Research and Statistics
Past Educator
I currently design and manage research studies in Instructional Design and
Delivery at the University of Phoenix
and teach
research methods classes at the University of Phoenix, Business College.
I have two sons, one who attends Mariposa and the other is at Pueblo. I am originally from Turkey and have lived in Arizona for several years.
Vice President of Membership: Greg Patten
BS in Electrical Engineering
Capitol Bancorp LTD
We have lived in Chandler for 11 years. My wife, Val, and I have two children
attending Corona del Sol High School. I volunteer as an AYSO Soccer Referee.
A bank data processing professional for over 30 years, in May of 1999 I headed up the Capitol Bancorp Operations Center in Phoenix (Data Processing and Bank Back Office) for six months. I helped restructure the Operations Centers to manage the company centrally in a matrixed environment. I assumed responsibility for all technology in the company and wore a second hat as the lead "back office" person for the Western Region. Capitol Bancorp Limited is a bank development company with joint headquarters in Lansing , Michigan and Phoenix , Arizona.
Vice President of Organization: Lisa Zyriek
MBA,
B.S.B.A with a Finance emphasis
Former Marketing Engineer and Financial Analyst for Arizona Public Service
Currently stay-at-home mom
My husband and I have lived in Tempe for many years and have two children attending Waggoner Elementary. I served on the Site Council for three years, served two years on the Parent Superintendent Council, have been the PTO Legislative Liaison, and have volunteered in the classroom for the past six years
Vice President of Legislative Issues: Mitzi Epstein
I am a community leader with a passion for bringing people and ideas together to effect positive results. I have held offices and managed projects for organizations as diverse as Citicorp Mortgage, Inc., Olin Corp., and AYSO, the American Youth Soccer Organization. As a systems analyst, I have worked with and managed teams that improved business operations in the banking and manufacturing industries. With this business background, I continuously strive to improve productivity.
I am a member of the Core of the APPLE Coalition, AZ Parents for PubLic Education, a statewide coalition of parent networks in school districts. I served on the Kyrene Elementary School District Governing Board for 4 years from 2005 through 2008.
Past Board Members
Jennie Doering
MFA, Writing for Children and Young Adults, Vermont College
BA, English/German, UC Berkeley
My family moved to Tempe about ten years ago—we wanted to live in a ‘college town’ with great schools and we sure found one! My son and daughter attended Waggoner, KMS, and Marcos, where I’ve spent many hours volunteering in the library and being a general volunteer dogsbody.
I have served on the Board of Directors of Desert Sun Child Development Center, coordinated the YMCA Writer’s Voice program, served on too-numerous PTO functions and currently give writing workshops to schools in the Phoenix area. My first book, Beach Riddles, was just released with Lerner Publishing.
Mckell Keeney
Professional Musician - Vocalist, Pianist, Organist, Composer,
Arranger
Arizona ambassador for a cappella music, with
http://casa.org , the non-profit Contemporary A Cappella Society
Cell: 480-223-7217
We moved to our home in Tempe over 16 years ago when our daughter was starting
Kindergarten at Niños . She decided as a 12-year-old at Kyrene Middle School to
be a high school choir director. Our three sons also attended Niños, KMS;
and Corona del Sol. Our oldest son did a
Spanish-speaking mission for our church. They have many and varied interests in
sports, in Fine Arts, and other areas.
I was PTA president at Niños , on the Site Council at Niños , and a legislative liaison for K-LINK. I taught piano lessons for several years, directed a children's performing group, served as an Assistant District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, and in the presidency of the Primary children's organization of my church. I sing and play keyboards in a high-energy dance band which plays pop, rock, jazz, and swing music. Our family is fortunate to be able to spend a lot of time with extended family in the area - grandparents and cousins.
Brian Smith
Interior Design/Fabrication
Volunteer classroom parent
Cell: 602-708-3431
I have been self-employed for my entire career as a contemporary designer. I began making furniture in high school after meeting a very special Industrial Arts teacher. I have traveled much of the forested world in an attempt to better understand the natural resources that I work with and to gauge the impact that has on our global environment. I've spent significant blocks of time in West Africa, Central and South America, many islands in the Caribbean and even some time here in North America .
I have lived in Ahwatukee since 1997 and like many friends and neighbors, purchasing a home in the Kyrene District was a calculated decision based largely on the reputation of the Kyrene School District .
I am the very proud single-parent of a daughter. Her entry into the public school system has prompted me to act positively and often regarding education. In our family, school is given a very high priority and it is my goal to keep it that way through advocacy and direct involvement.
I am a vegetarian and an avid musician and singer, writing and performing music regularly with my daughter and friends from around the world via the Internet. I also enjoy skateboarding and long-distance running here in Ahwatukee.
Paul Scowen
PhD in Astronomy, MS in Astrophysics
Researcher and Educator in Astronomy at Arizona State University since 1992
Missions:
http://orion.asu.edu;
http://horus.asu.edu
Cell: 602-617-3330
I have been intimately involved in Kyrene since moving to the area from Mesa in 1998. I have served as PTA president at Mirada elementary, ran an Astronomy club for 4th and 5th graders, served on the Strategic Planning and Budget committees at the Kyrene District Office, and ran the local AYSO soccer league for K-12 players for 3 years. My son was in the gifted math and logic program at Mirada and loves math and science and is now at Corona. My daughter is a talented artist and is showing a lot of promise in music to follow her mother into performance music. Both children have been exposed to as many different things as possible since imagination and breadth of exposure lay the underpinnings of love of learning and academic success.
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