The PAPTA Perspective

Reflecting on the PTA Legacy: A Challenge for 21st Century Leaders Sandra L. Zelno, Consultant to the Pennsylvania PTA.  Chapter 7. Pick a Card, Any Card—But Make Sure It is the Right Card Step right up, folks. Pick a card, any card.  Yes, the purpose of card tricks is to create an illusion of a seemingly impossible act.  Card tricks are done with sleight of hand and some false shuffles to impress and entertain audiences.  They are an illusion, but PTA

Reflecting on the PTA Legacy: A Challenge for 21st Century Leaders Sandra L. Zelno, Consultant to the Pennsylvania PTA.  Chapter 6. Teachers – The PTA’s Middle Name The long-awaited summer months are finally here.  Not only do we have time for more family interaction with summer hiatus from most schools, but the slower speed of the season gives us opportunity to begin planning PTA activities for the next school year.  Every leader ponders such basic questions as, “How do I reach out

Reflecting on the PTA Legacy: A Challenge for 21st Century Leaders Sandra L. Zelno, Consultant to the Pennsylvania PTA.  Chapter 5. Juvenile Justice, The Journey Begins Violence?  Not in my schools.  What PTA leader could say that honestly today?  Since the inception of the National Congress of Mothers in 1897, the association has embraced a strong agenda of public education, child health and safety, child nutrition, parent education and involvement, and juvenile justice, to name a few major areas.  The previous

Reflecting on the PTA Legacy: A Challenge for 21st Century Leaders Sandra L. Zelno, Consultant to the Pennsylvania PTA.  Chapter 4. Pennsylvania: A True Keystone for Kids A “keystone” typically refers to a central supporting element of a larger structure, such as a building or an organization without which the whole structure would collapse.  Most of you in PA are quite familiar with the keystone symbol as depicted on license plates, agencies, road signs, and even the state lottery.   Pennsylvania

Reflecting on the PTA Legacy: A Challenge for 21st Century Leaders Sandra L. Zelno, Consultant to the Pennsylvania PTA.  Chapter 3. Build It and They Will Come Many new products and initiatives were developed by entrepreneurs in the 1890’s.  It was full speed ahead – a time filled with great prospects for innovation.  Many seized the opportunity to market ideas, but the concept of, “Build It and They Will Come,” only worked when ideas were perceived to fill a critical

Reflecting on the PTA Legacy: A Challenge for 21st Century Leaders Sandra L. Zelno, Consultant to the Pennsylvania PTA.  Chapter 2. Shopping Around the Dream Shopping.  Shopping.  Shopping… Now that we may have gained the undivided attention of seasoned shoppers, reflecting on shopping in 1895 might be interesting.  With the Industrial Revolution responsible for many goods now manufactured in large quantities, retail chain stores popped up across the United States in the 1800’s.  Earliest stores included Brooks Brothers, Lord &