2020-2021 Board Candidates
The nominations for the 2020-2021 board are now in. Please read the bios for each of the candidates and cast your vote.
Nicole McLeod | President
My name is Nicole McLeod and I have a son entering 4th grade in the Fall, and I also have 3.5 year-old daughter that will also be a future Ranger. I have had the pleasure of serving as the Vice President for two consecutive years, and this past year I served as the Secretary of York’s PTO. These opportunities have provided me with learning all aspects of the organization. We have had a great team the past several years, which included re-building the organization to strive to make change and improvements to York’s PTO to better serve our campus. For the academic year of 2018-2019, I was honored to receive the Volunteer of the Year award for our school.
I also work as a full-time Pediatric Physical Therapist at a major trauma hospital in the Medical Center, in which, I have been there on staff for 15.5 years. I also serve as Co-Chair for our Employee Engagement Committee for our rehab department. On my spare time, I enjoy scrapbooking, crafting, cooking, exercising, reading, traveling and spending time with my family. If I wasn’t a physical therapist I’d be an event planner, home organizer, and/or travel planner.
I have always strongly believed that it is very important as a parent to be involved in the school to enhance the education of our children especially during these very early years of their upbringing. My family is very supportive of my volunteer efforts, and I thank them for allowing me to serve my community and Glenn York.
Mary Elaine Jones | Vice-President
I am Mary Elaine Jones and I have served as Vice President of Glenn York PTO for 2019 -2020 school year. Moving forward into the 2020-2021 school year I will show up and help the Glenn York community to the best of my abilities.
Ashley Warren | Secretary | Co-Secretary
I am excited to be more involved in the activities at York, to help with fund raising and keep parents involved in helping the teachers in staff. I have three kids, ages 11, 9, and 7. We’ve been at York for their entire school careers and have been so happy with their experiences.
Chari Westcott | Co-Secretary | Member Representative
I enjoyed serving 2019-2020 as a Member Rep. I am now a first grade Mom and would like to continue serving the Glen York community. The PTO is such a wonderful support system of caregivers for the school staff, the kids, the parents and each other and I am happy to be a part of this group. Being part of the PTO allows me to be involved in my daughter’s school in a macro role. I would like to either help the organization as the co-secretary or continue in my role as member representative.
Kristen Scott | Co-Secretary | Member Representative
My name is Kristen Scott and I am the proud parent of a second grader come the 2020 School year. I graduated from the University of Houston with bachelors degree double major in Accounting and Finance. I am seeking to serve as a member of the PTO because I am very much involved in my daughters education and what to contribute to our community and school district by way of the PTO. I know serving will allow me to make a direct impact not only to my daughters love for school but other children our community. I am a parent who cares about our community and our children and I want to make a direct impact.
Candice Wooley | Co-Treasurer
Hi! My name is Candice Wooley and I am a proud parent of my Fifth grade Son! I have been an active member and GYE PTO board member for 3 years now. I previously served as a member rep and I am very excited to get more involved. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time participating in the PTO at York. The enthusiasm and dedication of the board for the children of York is what keeps me coming back! I would like to be elected Co-Treasurer because I enjoy helping the school. My career background is in Procurement, so being Treasurer is a great way for me to utilize my skills to contribute to the school. I look forward to building upon the programs that exist while adding new ideas and broader parent participation. Thank you for your consideration!
Natasha Charles | Co-Treasurer
I am a business owner, wife, an educator, public policy lover and most of all a mother. I was born into a family of educators, primarily women, who emphasized to me the importance of an education and schools as the cornerstone of our communities. Over 20 years ago, my very first job was as a Teacher for almost a decade. It is my greatest joy to see how these students have grown to be productive members in their communities and in some instances can identify ways in which, Teachers have impacted their lives for the better. I have always felt that the best Teachers have always had an unyielding love for the profession. The work of the PTO serves to bolster the York Elementary school community and I would love to continue to serve.
Caroline Serna | Member Representative
My name is Caroline Serna and I am the mother of 2 girls- one going into 4th grade here at Glenn York next year, and the other who is moving on to McNair. We’ve been part of the York family the last 6 years and have enjoyed every minute of it.
I have been on the PTO board for the past 3 years as Secretary and Co-Secretary. I am seeking election for the position of Member Representative for the 2020-2021 school year. As secretary and co-secretary it was my goal to bring to better communication to York families about PTO events. I implemented the York PTO website, maintained the PTO Facebook page, and began using email blasts and text message reminders as means of communications. I also started a member database to maintain information regarding memberships that can easily be passed along from year to year as new PTO boards form. In addition to communications, I also assisted in organizing and volunteering at all the PTO events the past three years.
In addition to spending time with my family, volunteering for the Alzheimer's Association, and supporting the PTO, I am a local business owner. I have learned a lot as a business owner and those same skills aid in working with the PTO. I have relationships with other business owners which is valuable when it comes to PTO sponsorships and fundraising.
Jennifer Bujarski | Member Representative
Hello, my name is Jennifer Bujarski. My family and I have lived in the Shadow Creek community for just over 4 years, but have been a part of the Glenn York Family for almost 8 years now. We were introduced to York when I began teaching 1st grade there in 2012. Since then, I have taught or substituted off and on while we continued to grow our family. We have 4 children now, and are excited to have 3 of them attending York this upcoming school year. I have enjoyed both working and volunteering at the school and look forward to continuing to serve the York community as part of the PTO this year.
Laura Jones | Member Representative
Hi, my name is Laura Jones and 2 of my 3 children attend York and will be in the 2nd grade this 2020/2021 school year. We are a military family and have lived in Houston now for 5 years. When I’m not studying for school, you can find me outside doing something active with the kids. Despite the current global situation, I look forward to serving another year as a Member Rep and can’t wait to have see all your smiling faces again.
Samantha Pederson | Member Representative
My name is Samantha Pederson, I was born and raised in Houston. As a child I grew up taking ballet, soccer, volleyball, girl scouts and art appreciation classes. I played the clarinet in middle school and was an Elkins Elite dance team officer in high school. I have been married to my husband Brent for 12 years. I love traveling, reading, yoga, building Legos/puzzles with my kids and enjoy hitting the museums with the family. I am currently pursuing my MBA Healthcare degree from the Texas A&M system and will graduate in May 2021.
I have several years’ experience volunteering in the community such as a no-kill animal shelter, several children’s hospitals, neighborhood HOA board member, women’s domestic violence shelter, a member of the Junior League of Houston and various employer volunteering events. Every experience has enriched my life and would be honored to support this school as a representative. I am seeking this position to support the school in a smaller capacity and get more involved in the community. My previous volunteering experience allows me to jump in and serve as needed, even in an administrative support role.