I became involved with PTA on a local unit level at Anchorage’s Kasuun Elementary in 1999.  Over the next six years, I served in several Board positions, during which I learned the basics of PTA.  I did not know that there was a bigger PTA world outside of elementary schools until 2002.  That year, I was asked to join the Anchorage Council of PTAs.  For three years I served on that board as the Vice President of Health and Safety.  In 2006, I was asked to join the Alaska State PTA.  I did not know what I was getting into, but felt it was worthwhile with the PTA name.  When I was elected to the Alaska PTA board as President Elect, I was nervous but challenged by the opportunity to be on the board.  It was amazing and overwhelming to learn what was accomplished by the State PTA.  For two years I learned, absorbed and taught what I knew.  On July 1, 2007 everything that I had learned since 1999 was flashing through my mind.  Suddenly, as President of Alaska PTA, I was now responsible for this organization.  I was supposed to be the one with all the answers!  I was and to this day continue to be nervous about my role as the State PTA President.  In the beginning, two years seemed like forever to serve.  Now I am on the countdown to the end of my term and it has flown by extremely quickly.  At the end of the term there is just as much to learn and teach as there was in the beginning.

So far one of my biggest pleasures has been having my family involved with me on the PTA.  My wife is on the PTA board and she has been my biggest supporter.  These days, the roles are reversed; instead of me going to my kids’ classrooms doing prep work, they are now down at the PTA office helping us stuff & lick envelopes, sort papers and other projects that are needed.  I am hoping that they have learned what it takes to be involved in something that you strongly believe in.   With that they have definitely learned about some of the sacrifices you need to make to accomplish the goals and dreams to make things better.

This is a great organization; I am amazed at the longevity of those who no longer have school age kids are still involved and strongly believe in the cause.   They are now serving to better their grandchildren’s educational experience and will hopefully encourage the next generation of Alaska PTA Board members to step up.

As you read the other bios of our board members, you will see the dedication and commitment that these folks have for our children.  My wish to repay them for their hard work and dedication can simply never be sufficiently fulfilled.  The best I can offer them and all of the other volunteers that are involved in PTA is a great big THANK YOU!!  Without them, our children would not have the voice they do today regarding educational advocacy.

Al Tamagni