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.
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)
Karina Contreras (habla español) (email info@penfamilies.org to connect)
Charlotte Dawaele (French DLIP)
Don Benito Elementary
Lisa Kroese
Kalea Dunkleman
Tarah Kennedy (310-480-8011)
Field Elementary (Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program)
Tiffany Hwang
Adam Wierman
Hamilton Elementary
John Lynch
Sean Murray
Jackson STEM Magnet Dual Language Academy
Nikki Cobleigh
Jenny Jakubiak (626-644-8761)
Jennifer Miyake-Trapp
Julie Halton (English mainstream program)
Longfellow Elementary
Paul Nerenberg (Spanish DLIP & regular program)
Giovanni Oliva (626-437-9417)
Pilar Oliva (626-394-4704)
Emily Stough (626-641-2276)
Madison Elementary
Would you like to be a Madison parent ambassador?
¿Le gustaría ser un padre embajador de Madison?
Contact / Póngase en contacto con Susan@penfamilies.org
McKinley School (grades K-8)
Meg Matasci
Norma Coombs Elementary
Aimee Cunningham (818-209-4800)
Allegra Fischer
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
Amy Gonzalez (text: 323-294-3020)
Lauren Ottersberg
Webster Elementary
Julie Daniels (email info@penfamilies.org to connect)
Ann Harrer
Willard Elementary
Veronica Brotons (Spanish; Special Education)
Helen Hinton"
Jennifer O’Malley
Middle School PEN Ambassadors
Blair IB (grades 6-12)
Lorena Hernandez (bilingual Eng-Span.)
Maro Yacoubian (Armenian Academy)
Delphine Vasko
Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School
Victoria Knapp
Carin Leffler
Lana Medina (French DLIP)
Marshall Fundamental School
Sara Jennings
John Lynch
Teri Richardson (626-375-1302)
Martin Thomas
Jennifer Valdiviez (818-636-0371)
Sierra Madre Middle School
Aimee Cunningham (818-209-4800)
Leslie Tamppari (626-491-1993)
Pei Yun Lee (Mandarin DLIP)
Adam Wierman (Mandarin DLIP)
Octavia E. Butler Magnet (formerly Washington STEAM Magnet)
Rebecca Corona (562-712-6969) (Spanish DLIP)
Andrea Torosian
High School PEN Ambassadors
Blair IB
Jennifer Errico
Missy Griffin
Emily Mencken (Spanish DLIP)
Maro Yacoubian (Armenian Academy)
Marshall Secondary School
Jennifer Gold
Martin Thomas
Sara Jennings
Sarah Hilbert (recent alumni)
John Muir High School
Nia Nicole Bailey
Courtney Scrabeck
Angie Uriu
Pasadena High School
Marie Cantor
M. Lauren McNulty (323-821-3217)
Lisa Swan
Leslie Tamppari
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.
