I am the new Community School Site Coordinator for CH Bird Elementary School. Here's a little bit about myself. I am a mother of 4. Shawn (25), R'Reona (19), and Treasure and Dream (twins). Treasure passed away from a liver transplant at 22 months. Dream is now 14. She was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) at the age of 7. To dominate the statistics, I told her, her ADHD means All Dreams Have a Destiny! I would not let that label define her life. I taught her to be fabulous at everything she does. At the age of 10 Dream was diagnosed with scoliosis. A year later she had a spinal fusion. So, I joined a few organizations to expand my knowledge about children's learning and physical disabilities. The Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health opened the doors for me to grow as a parent advocate by being a Lived Experience Partner and I became the Co-Chair for the S.A.F.E. (Service Access Family Engagement) Committee. I also became a coalition member at Mental Health of America, a Parent Leader at The Parent Network, an Advisory Board Member for the Next Step Clinic for children with autism, and also an attendee of CPTI (Community Pediatric Training Institute) under the direction of Dr. Earnstine Willis of the Medical College of Wisconsin. All of my accomplishments are to help families.
There are no warning signs when life takes a shift and we all need support at some time. I am a nurturer by nature and a jack of all trades. I also have my own businesses called "Kandle Freak LLC" which I make gift baskets for any occasions and of course soy wax/massage candles, essential oils, and healthful bars (soap) and "We Made That LLC" which I make T-shirts and I'm learning more of my talents with my Cricut machines. I am very grateful for this life-changing opportunity with a community that is growing and thriving. Thank you all for welcoming me.
Remember: All Dreams Have a Destiny! Including Yours!
CONTACT
Shenika Moss | Site Coordinator Email
608.834.6808
“My Name is Brian McKenzie, I am pleased to be named the new community schools site coordinator at Patrick Marsh Middle School. I love where I am at right now! My relationship with students is growing fast and the teachers are very welcoming. It feels good to be working with youth and knowing that you could have a huge positive influence on them makes it that much better!”
“Hi! My name is Rea [like a ray-uh-sunshine] Solomon and I am SO excited to be joining the PPA family as the new community school site coordinator.
I am stepping out of the classroom and coming home to Dane County after spending the past three years teaching fifth grade in Kenosha and Racine. I graduated from UW-Madison in 2016. Before teaching in Southeast Wisconsin, I worked as an “at-risk” resource teacher for middle schoolers in the Monona Grove School District. During college, I worked as an AVID tutor in a number of MMSD middle and high schools. I also spent a few years working for Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) at the Allied Learning Center and coached girls’ track and field at my Alma Mater, Monona Grove High School.
I have just finished up my Master’s Degree from UW-Milwaukee in Cultural Foundations of Community Engagement and Education and completed the requirements for my Alternative Education license. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to step into a new role that aligns so well with my educational background and philosophy.
I am finishing up the school year in my current position in Kenosha, but I look forward to getting to know everyone and collaborating more throughout the summer!”
Meet Stacy Darga, our Site Coordinator at Westside Elementary. Mrs. Darga is passionate about her school and feels so blessed to be part of such a great community. She and her husband, Rich, have three children, Tessa, Jake and Sam and all of them spent their elementary years at Westside Elementary. She has been with community schools since the initiative was first introduced in 2012 and was part of the team that brought the model to Westside Elementary and has kept the “train rolling down the track” throughout these past seven years. She feels that she was meant to be in this role and is blessed every day to do this work which leads to improved student learning, stronger families and a healthier community. Stop in and visit her and her amazing community school any time!
CONTACT
Stacy Darga | Site Coordinator Email
608.834.7546