The Utah PTA Pulse Podcast connects parents, teachers, and administrators to discuss the powerful impact of the National PTA School of Excellence program.

Welcome to the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast! 🎙️ In this engaging episode, hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo dive deep into the collaborative world of education and advocacy. This week, they are joined by two incredible leaders who are making a difference in the lives of Utah students:

• Melinda Tanner, Utah PTA School of Excellence Committee Chair
• Eric Woodhouse, Executive Director of Operations for Alpine School District

The conversation highlights the National PTA School of Excellence program, a recognition program that supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall school community. Eric shares his unique perspective as a district administrator who is "pro-PTA," discussing how essential the collaboration between district leadership and parent volunteers is for student success.

Welcome back to the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast! Join your hosts Corey Fairholm, Media Past President, and Angelee Aedo, VP of Advocacy, for an insightful and lively conversation with our special guest, Cammy Whitchurch, the Utah PTA President-elect and Convention Chair.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• The Utah PTA Convention: Kami shares an inside look at the planning process and the excitement surrounding this year's event.
• The Importance of Community: We talk about the supportive culture of the PTA, where seasoned members welcome newcomers and make them feel like part of the family—especially at the convention.

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo are joined by Carol Rednour, the current Utah PTA Secretary. After a lighthearted icebreaker about video game nostalgia and the struggles of mastering Mario Kart, the conversation dives into the heart of PTA leadership.

Carol, now in her third year of service, shares her passion for volunteering and explains why the Secretary is a cornerstone of any board. From the legal necessity of taking accurate minutes to the old adage that "if it wasn't recorded, it didn't happen," Carol highlights how this role protects the integrity of a board’s votes and actions.

The episode takes a personal turn as Carol shares her unique "Why PTA" story, offering a glimpse into the motivations that lead parents to step up and serve their school communities. Whether you are a local leader looking for tips on minute-taking or a parent curious about getting involved, this episode offers both practical advice and heartfelt inspiration. 🌟🤝

Highlights include:

The "Invisible" Essential: Why the Secretary is the backbone of every good President. ✍️

The Power of Documentation: How minutes serve as the official record for every vote and decision. 📋

Personal Journeys: Carol’s path to the state board and her commitment to the Utah PTA. ❤️

Tune in to learn more about the people behind the "Pulse" of Utah’s schools! 🎧🍎

Welcome back to the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, where we bridge the gap between policy and the people it affects! 📢 Hosted by "Corey Fairholm" and "Angelee Aedo", this episode continues our deep dive into the world of education leadership and advocacy.

In this installment, our hosts are joined once again by Amber Bonner, the Utah PTA Education Commissioner, to untangle the "hierarchy of decision-making" in Utah's schools. If you’ve ever wondered who actually has the power to change things in your child's classroom, this conversation is for you. 🍎👪

Amber explains the critical relationship between the state legislature—which passes the laws—and the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), which has jurisdiction over every school receiving public dollars, including district and charter schools. With 15 elected members serving the entire state, understanding how this board operates is key to effective advocacy.

This episode covers:

• The difference between state law and board rules. ⚖️
• How to navigate the USBE hierarchy and identify which of the 15 board members represents you.
• Why the state board is unique as the "school board" for the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind.
• Insights into the upcoming election cycles and how leadership shifts impact our schools. 🗳️

Amber also shares a powerful reminder for every listener: you don't need to be a policy expert to make a difference. Whether you are speaking to a local principal or a state official, you are the ultimate expert on your own experience and your child’s needs. 🌟

We wrap up the show with our usual fun—discussing the behind-the-scenes magic provided by our director of communications, Mike Williams, and ending with our signature celebratory dance! 💃✨

Tune in to empower yourself with the knowledge to be a better advocate for Utah’s students! 🎧🏔️

Welcome to the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, your go-to source for everything happening in the world of Utah education and advocacy! 📢 Hosted by "Corey Fairholm" (Immediate Past President of Utah PTA) and "Angelee Aedo" (Vice President of Advocacy), this podcast brings you insightful, lighthearted, and essential conversations about how we can better support our children and schools. 🍎👪

In this episode, our hosts sit down with special guest Amber Bonner, the Utah PTA Education Commissioner, to pull back the curtain on what it truly means to be involved in education leadership. Whether you've wondered what an Education Commissioner actually does all day or how to navigate the complex world of legislative bills, this discussion covers it all with a focus on making advocacy accessible for everyone.

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Amber shares her personal journey and professional expertise, highlighting the importance of knowing who the right people are to talk to so your voice isn't "useless" in the system. From watching countless board meetings to understanding the nuances of the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), Amber provides a roadmap for parents who want to move from the sidelines to the front lines of change.

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But it’s not all policy and procedures! Get to know the team behind the titles as they share their favorite winter traditions—from Amber’s love of cozying up with a book in the snow to Corey’s memories of skiing in California. You’ll even hear about the "Redheaded Oreo" and the podcast's signature ending: a celebratory dance! 💃❄️

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Tune in to discover:

• How to effectively engage with the USBE and local officials.
• The reality of serving as an Education Commissioner.+1
• Practical tips to overcome the frustrations of getting involved.
• Why your unique perspective as a parent makes you the ultimate expert on your child.

Join hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo as they welcome Yvonne Johnson, National PTA President, for an inspiring conversation about the power of parent advocacy! 🎙️

In this episode, discover how advocacy is woven into the DNA of PTA and why it matters more than ever. Yvonne shares her personal journey from a frustrated parent fighting for religious holiday recognition to becoming the leader of the nation's largest child advocacy organization. Her story proves that every parent's voice counts! 💪

What You'll Learn: ✨ How PTA's mission centers on advocating for EVERY child 🗣️ Why membership creates a powerful collective voice 📚 Simple ways parents are already advocating without realizing it 🤝 The importance of coalition building and sharing personal stories 💡 Resources available at PTA.org/advocacy to support your advocacy journey

Hear heartwarming stories about how PTA involvement shapes children into lifelong advocates, from voting and attending legislative sessions to standing up for what they believe in. Whether you're new to PTA or a seasoned leader, you'll leave feeling empowered to make a difference! 🌟

Key Takeaway: You don't need to be an expert to advocate—your personal story and experience are your expertise. From parent-teacher conferences to school board meetings, if you're raising your voice for children, you're already an advocate!

Utah PTA celebrates 100 years while National PTA marks 129 years of fighting for children's futures. Join this incredible legacy! 🎉

On this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo (VP of Advocacy Angelietta is mentioned in the transcript ) are joined by Raquel Fodole Clark from the partner organization, One Kind Act A Day.

Before diving into kindness initiatives, co-host Angelee Aedo asks Raquel, who is expecting a baby, what she's most looking forward to—seeing her child’s personality develop—and the hosts share valuable parenting advice, emphasizing listening to motherly instinct and not being afraid to "pivot" since every child is different.

Raquel introduces One Kind Act A Day, a non-profit organization focused on spreading kindness in the community based on the vision that the world would be a better place if everyone did at least one kind act daily. The organization partners with businesses, communities, religions, and schools to enhance a culture of kindness.

A key focus of the discussion is the new Teacher Recognition Award in partnership with Utah PTA. Raquel explains that the monthly award celebrates teachers for the sacrifices they make. The nominated teacher receives a $500 grant to use in their classroom. Anyone, including other teachers, parents, or students, can nominate a deserving teacher who goes "above and beyond" and practices kindness daily. The nomination form can be found on the Utah PTA website (UtahPTA.org).

Raquel also discusses One Kind Act A Day's initiative for schools to become certified as an "official school of kindness" through a year-long program involving service projects, counting kindness, and art and essay projects. They also establish student-led kindness clubs for sustainability in following years. Schools interested in applying can find the application on thepowerofkind.org.

The hosts praise One Kind Act A Day's work for bringing communities together and promoting deliberate acts of kindness

Hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo chat with Amanda Morton, VP of Relationship Development at Cyprus Credit Union , about their partnership with Utah PTA. Amanda highlights Cyprus's commitment to supporting educators and students , including providing the free Stukent Financial Literacy Software to every high school in the state of Utah. This software is a digital version of the Game of Life , where students manage credit scores, mortgages, and paychecks over a semester. The program earned Cyprus the Honors in Education Award from Abby Cox.