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
Crista Funk
Muña Qumar
Julissa Gómez
Don Benito Elementary
Nikki Arakawa (562-897-2913)
Rachel Axelrod (917-880-9289)
Margaret Chen
Ray Ruffin
Field Elementary (Mandarin Dual Language Immersion Program)
Tiffany Hwang
Mayka Mei
Adam Wierman
Hamilton Elementary
Katelin Bannan
Molly Vasa Bertolucci
Taylor McBride
Jackson STEM Magnet Dual Language Academy
Susannah Beven
Steve Cooper
Joe Cupka
Julie Halton (English mainstream program)
Natalie Russell
Longfellow Elementary
Paul Nerenberg
Toutoule Ntoya
Jacqueline Scahill
Megha Shah
Madison Elementary
Maria Chavez
Ana Morales
Imelda Quintero
McKinley School (grades K-8)
Hanna Christenson
Meg Matasci
Norma Coombs Elementary
Heather Keller
Kayt Sirounian
Travis Wayne
San Rafael Elementary (Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program)
Ouida Lujan
Lindsay Amstutz
Mariela Pabón
Sierra Madre Elementary
Kaila Simoneit
Washington STEM Magnet Elementary
Nicola Borland
Lauren Ottersberg
Webster Elementary
Jocelyn Mello
Savannah Ngo
Monica Noguez
Willard Elementary
Veronica Brotons (Spanish; Special Education)
Helen Hinton
Rachel Paul
Middle School PEN Ambassadors
Blair IB (grades 6-12)
Meg Matasci
Kate Mayfield
Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School
Allegra Cira Fischer
Crystal Ksenjak
Marshall Secondary School
Sean Murray
Paul Nerenberg
Octavia E. Butler Magnet (formerly Washington STEAM Magnet)
Julie Halton
Matt Ima
Jenny Jakubiak (626-644-8761)
Sandy Roffman
Sierra Madre Middle School
Mae-Fay Koenig-Seng
Kiten Meena
Adam Wierman (Mandarin DLIP)
High School PEN Ambassadors
Blair IB
Francesca Mariani
Gargi Matuszeski (Spanish DLIP) 626-617-7139
Emily Mencken (Spanish DLIP)
Marshall Secondary School
Scott Harden
Sara Jennings
John Lynch
Teri Richardson (626-375-1302)
John Muir High School
Jacqueline Kuykendall
Pablo Miralles
Courtney Scrabeck
Lisa Swan
Pasadena High School
Pei Yun Lee (Mandarin DLIP)
Adam & Sonya Wierman
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.
