Talk to a Parent
One of PEN’s strengths is our large network of parents. And one of the best ways to find out about a school is to get perspectives from parents like Teri Griffith, featured in this interview clip from the Go Public documentary project. We encourage you to contact one or more of our PEN Parent Ambassadors to get their first-hand perspectives of the schools you’re considering. Or contact us if you want to talk to a parent about an issue, concern or question you have related to your student or your school. We’ll connect you!
We have volunteer Parent Ambassadors at elementary, middle, and high schools throughout PUSD. Even if you’ve already met some parents on a school tour, at our programs, or at a coffee, we encourage you to contact our Parent Ambassadors directly by email or phone. (If name listed without email link or phone, please contact info@penfamilies.org to be put in touch!)
Contact a PEN Parent Ambassador…
If you have a specific question about a school
If you want to attend a PTA or other parent meeting at the school
If you want to attend a school event to find out what the school community is like
If you want to start developing relationships on campus prior to school starting
If you want to be connected starting the first day of school
Elementary School PEN Ambassadors
Altadena Elementary
Vernon Chaplin (205-914-1609)
Julissa Gomez
Crystal Ksenjak
Don Benito Elementary
Nikki Arakawa
Rachel Axelrod (917-880-9289)
Margaret Chen
Lisa Kroese (626-755-0636)
Field Elementary (Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program)
Tiffany Hwang
Adam Wierman
Hamilton Elementary
Ashley Lopez
Susan Hunter
Taylor McBride
Jackson STEM Magnet Dual Language Academy
Susannah Beven
Jennifer Miyake-Trapp
Julie Halton (English mainstream program)
Longfellow Elementary
Paul Nerenberg (Spanish DLIP & regular program)
Toutoule Ntoya
Pilar Oliva (626-394-4704) & Giovanni Oliva (626-437-9417)
Madison Elementary
Ana Morales
Imelda Quintero
McKinley School (grades K-8)
Meg Matasci
Norma Coombs Elementary
Aimee Cunningham (818-209-4800)
Alicia Lanz
Kayt Sirounian
San Rafael Elementary (Spanish-English Dual Language Immersion Program)
Ouida Lujan
Lindsay Amstutz
Sierra Madre Elementary
Andrea Azuma (email info@penfamilies.org to connect)
Cassie Gardener Manjikian
Washington STEM Magnet Elementary
Nicola Borland
Amy Gonzalez (text: 323-294-3020)
Cheryl Lough
Lauren Ottersberg
Webster Elementary
Julie Daniels (email info@penfamilies.org to connect)
Ann Harrer
Willard Elementary
Veronica Brotons (Spanish; Special Education)
Marcus Hatcher
Helen Hinton
Jennifer O’Malley
Middle School PEN Ambassadors
Blair IB (grades 6-12)
Marcus Hatcher
Gargi Matuszeski (Spanish DLIP) 626-617-7139
Maro Yacoubian (Armenian Academy)
Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School
Karina Contreras (habla Esp.)
Victoria Knapp
Marshall Secondary School
John Lynch
Pilar Oliva (626-394-4704)
Sierra Madre Middle School
Pei Yun Lee (Mandarin DLIP)
Adam Wierman (Mandarin DLIP)
Octavia E. Butler Magnet (formerly Washington STEAM Magnet)
Rebecca Corona (562-712-6969) (Spanish DLIP)
Jenny Jakubiak (626-644-8761)
Sandy Roffman
Andrea Torosian
High School PEN Ambassadors
Blair IB
Missy Griffin
Gargi Matuszeski (Spanish DLIP) 626-617-7139
Emily Mencken (Spanish DLIP)
Marshall Secondary School
Jennifer Gold
Scott Harden
Sara Jennings
Teri Richardson (626-375-1302)
John Muir High School
Nia Nicole Bailey (parent of recent alum)
Courtney Scrabeck
Lisa Swan
Pasadena High School
Allison Evans
M. Lauren McNulty (323-821-3217)
Lisa Swan
Leslie Tamppari
Pei Yun Lee (Mandarin DLIP)
Interested in becoming a Parent Ambassador?
Contact PEN's Program Director Susan Schwartz for more information. We are also looking for parents of preschool-aged children who can help us reach out to your local preschool, daycare, or parent group.
