Monna Johnson steps into new role as head of Glendale Council PTA

On July 1, Monna Johnson officially stepped into a new volunteer position as president of the Glendale Council PTA. In that role, she’ll represent Glendale Unified parents involved in 26 PTA groups across the city who work closely with educators to advocate for kids’ success in the classroom.

How have you been involved in Glendale schools so far?

I became involved in Glendale Schools as a parent and volunteer when my oldest son (who just graduated from Crescenta Valley High School and will be going to college in three weeks) started kindergarten in 2000. I started volunteering in his classroom and soon after became involved with PTA and have continued my involvement with PTA since then. I was the PTA President at Monte Vista Elementary, Rosemont Middle School and Crescenta Valley High School. In addition to being the Glendale Council PTA president now, I am going to be the legislation chairperson on the CVHS PTSA board for the next two years until my youngest son graduates from Crescenta Valley.

What are you looking forward to most about serving as president of the Glendale Council PTA?

I am looking forward to the opportunities to work with the PTA Presidents and PTA board members from all the schools in GUSD. I am also looking forward to working closely with GUSD administrators and staff.

Are there any particular challenges you anticipate or goals you hope to accomplish?

My goal is to promote and cultivate a collaborative environment where we all can work together and help each other in order to make a better place for our kids. A place that every kid is given an opportunity to learn, to grow, to feel safe and loved as we move forward with the implementation of Common Core and new changes in funding (i.e. the Local Control Funding Formula and the Local Control Accountability Plan).

The biggest challenge for me is finding an effective way of communicating the importance of being involved and learning about the issues that effect the education of our children. Now more than ever, parents and community involvement is crucial if we are to have a very successful educational system.

Why is it important that parents of Glendale students get involved in the PTA?

Despite our differences of opinions or background, I know we all have one thing in common and that’s to make a better world for our kids. PTA is one of the biggest child advocacy groups in the nation and has been involved in so many major decisions and legislations that have directly benefited the kids for more than a century. Being involved in PTA provides so many opportunities for every parent or guardian to become a strong advocate for all children.