The Mission of the Louisiana Parent Teacher Association
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the oldest and largest child advocacy organization in America. Comprising over 2.5 million parents, teachers, grandparents, caregivers, foster parents, and other concerned adults, today's PTA is dedicated to enhancing the education, health, and safety of all children. We advocate with one voice for every child. Numerous benefits that children enjoy today, such as universal kindergarten, the National School Lunch Program, and the juvenile justice system, have been achieved through the PTA's efforts. The PTA's extensive network empowers parents with the platform and tools to collectively shape the decisions impacting children. This advocacy is distinctive to PTA. Why do we PTA? To make every child's potential a reality!
What Does LAPTA Do?
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Makes every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
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Advocates for children at the local, state, and federal levels, including the National Legislative Conference in Washington, DC with the members of Congress.
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Assists Local PTAs in building community through programs that promote student achievement, creativity, and inclusiveness.
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Makes sure Local PTA Units have the same purposes and principles as National PTA.
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Ensures Local PTA Units operate according to National PTA’s vision, mission, values, policies and legislative and advocacy priorities, positions, and resolutions.
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Aids the local units in maintaining compliance with National PTA, LAPTA, and IRS rules and requirements.
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Forwards the National PTA dues portion from Local PTA Units’ dues submitted to LAPTA.
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Represents all Louisiana PTA members by participating in and voting at the National PTA Convention.
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Charters new PTAs, reinstates unaffiliated PTAs, and closes defunct PTAs.
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Judges the Louisiana Teacher of the Year Award by the Louisiana Department of Education.
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Member of Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families.
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Member of the LA Department of Education Family Engagement Task Force
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Member of the LA Department of Education Success Through Attendance Recovery (STAR) Task Force
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Hosts LAPTA Leadership Training in August and privately throughout the year for individual PTAs as needed.
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Offers LAPTA grants to help fund Local PTA Units in providing engaging, educational, and fun opportunities for children, families, and communities.
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Assists PTA leaders if challenges occur in accomplishing the primary mission of their unit.
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Facilitates contests for students such as the National PTA Reflections Program and awards state winners.
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Awards all winners of our contests, grants, and awards programs.
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Offers awards for volunteers, advocacy efforts, and membership accomplishments.
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Holds the annual LAPTA General Membership Meeting.
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And more!
Meet the LAPTA Board of Directors
Meet the lovely volunteers of the Louisiana PTA Board! Want to join us? We are always looking for people to serve on the Louisiana PTA Board of Directors as a committee chair or member. Many of the LAPTA Board members serve on multiple PTA Boards. Please contact any of us to talk about joining our krewe!
Beth Maillho
President
Hello! My name is Beth Maillho (Mail-Oh). I'm happy to serve as President for 2024 - 2026! This is my 18th year serving as a PTA officer at Madisonville Elementary, Lancaster Elementary, Madisonville Jr High, and Mandeville High. I'm happily married to André, and we have four children. Our youngest graduated from Mandeville High in May of 2025, so the 2025-26 year will be my last for PTA! I am a Realtor by profession, and I also enjoy volunteering with Rachel's Vineyard Ministries and other worthy causes, as well as occasionally fostering newborn babies until their permanent placement.
Philip Davis
VP of Affiliation
Hello! My name is Philip Davis. This is my 6th year in the PTA. My spouse and I are the proud parents of six children who keep our lives lively and full of joy. Being part of the PTA has been truly rewarding for me. I've enjoyed working with dedicated teachers, staff, and fellow parents to create a supportive and enriching environment for our students. I am also the President of Louisiana Lagniappe PTSA which is the statewide PTSA Unit. That email is Philip@LagniappePTSA.org.
Jennifer Hale
VP of Leadership Development
Leader.Develop@LouisianaPTA.org
For the past 16 years, I've been actively involved PTA in various board and committee positions. Currently, I'm serving as the VP of Leadership Development for the third year. I'm a proud mother of two daughters - my oldest is studying at the University of Southern Mississippi, and my youngest is a junior at Fontainebleau High School. Professionally, I work as a Legal Assistant at Loeb Law Firm, with over 20 years of experience in the legal field. I enjoy watching K-dramas and K-pop and am an avid BTS fan.
Amy Brunet
Treasurer
Hi, I'm Amy! This will be my 5th year volunteering with PTA and I'm excited to be serving on the LAPTA board for the first year! Previously, I was Covington Elementary PTA President where I've volunteered since my youngest son started kindergarten. The more I got involved in PTA, the more PTA got in me! I always love the LAPTA training day to get inspired and excited about the new year.
I'm a single mom of two, and studied psychology and sociology at NLU in Monroe, now ULM. My oldest graduated from CHS in 2023, and my youngest will be going into 4th grade this year! I work from home in the worker's comp field. I enjoy shooting darts and bowling, as a happy Gen Xer. I'm a health coach and I thrive being outside in God's creation to run, walk, or listen to music.
Jessica Resendiz
Secretary
Hi, I’m Jessica. I’m a stay-at-home mom of five wonderful kids, and love tending to my kids and volunteering at their schools when I can. I love to get involved as much as possible when it comes to their education.
Peggy Mauer
Membership Chair
Hi, my name is Peggy Mauer. I am a mother of six children, and my kids attend Honey Island Elementary, Little Oak Elementary, Boyet Junior High, and Pearl River High. I have been married to Joseph for 21 years. I am currently serving for the third year on the LAPTA Board and on the Local PTAs at some of my kids' schools.
Misty Richmond
Contests, Awards, & Grants Chair
Hello! My name is Misty Richmond and this is my 12th year being involved with PTA. I served on varies board positions over the years from elementary, middle, jr high, and high school levels. I am married and have 3 children. I currently serve on the Board at Madisonville Jr High, Mandeville High, and now LAPTA.
Misty received the 2024 LAPTA Volunteer of the Year Award and the Substitute Teacher of the Year Award at Madisonville Jr High!
Naomi Narcisse
Advocacy & Federal Legislative Chair
I'm Naomi, mom to two fantastic kids and happily married to my husband of 14 years. Last year was my first year getting involved in the PTA at my children's school. I work as a Research Analyst and part-time teacher at Southeastern Louisiana University. I'm excited to bring that experience to LAPTA. When I'm not focused on school or work, you'll find me indulging my creative side — either singing with my band, River City Hit Squad, or getting lost in my latest sewing project. I'm excited to contribute and grow with the LAPTA organization!
Tara Kennedy
Special Education Chair
Hi! I'm Tara Kennedy and I'm excited to serve as the SPED Chair for LA PTA. This wil be my first year involved with PTA. I am both a Special Education teacher and parent to 3 children with exceptionalities. Parent involvement and advocacy is one of my passions. I believe, and research supports, that the more involved parents are in their childrens' education, the better the outcomes! I'm so happy to be here!
LAPTA Toolkit Sec 1. Louisiana PTA and National PTA
4 Louisiana PTA Office; Board of Directors
5 History of Louisiana PTA
6 Louisiana PTA Office
6 What does LAPTA Do?
6 Friends of LAPTA
7 Mission Partners of LAPTA
7 About National PTA
8 National PTA Standards for Family-School Partnerships