Meet Your PTO

While most of us never envisioned serving on the HVE PTO, we are pleased to be able to serve the HVE community. We are working parents who did not know each other before this school year and each of us stepped because the PTO was on the verge of disbandment at the end of the 2021 school year.  We encourage you to get to know your PTO because you might be surprised, as we were, to learn just how much the HVE PTO does to benefit the young children of the Happy Valley Elementary School.  Each PTO board member serves a two-year term and we encourage you to consider serving.  And if being an officer is not for you, we have plenty of volunteer opportunities.  We work closely with the school teachers and administrators and are often able to offer volunteer opportunities that fit your interests and skills.  

Co-President Tawnya Thomas 

I am a mother of four, with my two boys currently at HVE. Teo in Mr. Brenner’s class in 3rd grade and Tatum in Mrs. Harris class in 5th grade. My family has lived in Happy Valley now for almost 10 years. I was always a classroom mom and never thought I would be a "PTO mom." I did not realize or know how much the PTO does for our school. I love what we have been able to build and do for our school. I have got to know so many amazing staff members in the building, parents and even community members being on the PTO.

​Tawnya, presidenthvepto@gmail.com

Co-President Angela Dewey

Like my fellow Co-President Tawnya, I never thought I would never be on a PTO board AND AM SO THANKFUL I AM! I have learned things I would never have never known, been able to help in ways I would never have had the opportunity to do before and have connected with staff, the children, parents and our city in which makes this all worthwhile. This is my second year here on the board and after I am done I will always volunteer for the PTO while my children reside here. Speaking of them... I have a daughter, Micah, she is in Sedita's 5th grade class and in her 6th year at HVE. I have a son, Branham, who is a 2nd grader in Struckemeir's class. Each year we feel like we hit the jackpot with the teachers here at HVE.  I am here to take on anything necessary that's needed to build this community up and to continue to build the school's success in enriching the children, staff AND PARENTS in the essential things needed to have  a fun, smooth, exciting year again. HERE'S TO A GREAT YEAR AT HAPPY VALLEY ELEMENTARY!

Angela, copresidenthvepto@gmail.com

Secretary Laura Sears

My name is Laura Sears. I am the secretary of the PTO. I have three girls at HVE.  Elizabeth is in 5th grade, Charlotte is in 3rd grade, and Valerie is in Kindergarten.  I am excited to be involved in the PTO.   Just being a part of the school community is a great way to meet people, learn what is happening in the school, and being a help in any way I can. ​

​Laura, secretaryhvespto@gmail.com 

Treasurer Liz Espeland

Info coming soon! 

Liz, treasurerhvepto@gmail.com.

Volunteer Coordinator Rachel Pierson

My name is Rachel Pierson and I have one daughter going into 3rd grade at HVE, and one in preschool who cannot wait to be a little Cougar. We have only lived in Happy Valley since 2019, but we love this community and feel so grateful for our schools!

I loved volunteering in the school prior to Covid, and I am so appreciative of the opportunity to volunteer with the PTO when school reopened. I work with children in foster care and have always loved doing whatever I can to help them remember to have fun. I also love being able to bring that spirit to our kids, and I am very excited to be in the role of volunteer coordinator this year so that I can work with so many wonderful parents in our community.

Rachel, hveptovolunteers@gmail.com

Communications Chair Shay Witten

My name is Shay Witten and I am serving as the PTO Communications Chair. I have two lovely and wild daughters at HVE. Chloe is in Ms. Hoffman's 3rd grade and Avery is in Ms. Forbes Kindergarten class. After the world craziness the past couple years, I am especially appreciative of our AMAZING PTO Board. In the midst of busy family schedules, work, and personal commitments, they take the time to make our school and community THRIVE. I'm inspired to be a part of this group so that I can support our school, create fun and memorable experiences for our kids, brighten our teachers' days, strengthen the connection between home and school, and make the most of these long days/short years that are elementary school. I am grateful for the opportunity to be on the HVE PTO Board.

Shay, hvecommunicationspto@gmail.com