Paso Robles resident named to California State PTA Board of Directors
– Paso Robles resident Barbara Harris has been named to the California State PTA Board of Directors as Vice President for Convention, with a two-year term beginning July 1.
Barbara Harris.
Harris has been involved with PTA for 13 years and currently is serving a third term on both the California State PTA Convention Commission and the Resolutions Committee. In her role as vice president for convention, she will oversee the association’s yearly convention, which hosts thousands of local PTA volunteers parents and child advocates each year.
“As the vice president for convention, my responsibility is creating an exciting, memorable and educational event for anyone who has an interest in the health and well-being of children and families,” she said. The next convention is May 4 – 7, in San Diego.
“The California State PTA Annual Convention is the largest parent conference in the United States, so it’s extremely important to ensure attendees come away with a wealth of new ideas and increased confidence in their own abilities as parent leaders, and that they have fun!”
Harris holds a bachelor’s degree in business and management and is retired from Pacific Gas and Electric Company, where she had a career in nuclear security.
A native Californian, Harris resides in Paso Robles with her husband, Mark. They have one daughter, Kiana, who is starting her second year at a private university in Pennsylvania studying paleontology.
“My mom always said, ‘You can’t make change unless you get involved,’” said Harris. “When I joined PTA, I had no idea how much it would change my life. PTA gives me a sense of accomplishment and belonging – working to make a positive impact on kids, providing resources to parents and teachers, and helping the community understand the complexities of public education.
“Anyone can join PTA, whether you have kids in school or not. PTA has a rich history of making change for the benefit of children and public education. Kids don’t have the power of the vote, but adults do; when we band together to speak up for children, it’s a mighty voice that is heard loud and clear in the halls of government.”
For more information about the California PTA, visit www.capta.org.
