A PTA board includes a Teacher Vice President (VP) elected by the general membership according to the local bylaws Article VI.
The Teacher VP should become familiar with the purposes, missions, bylaws, policies, and programs of PTA. They should act as a liaison and communication link between the PTA Board and the faculty.
The Teacher VP should meet with the incoming PTA president after the elections in preparation for the coming school year. The purpose of the discussion is to share with the PTA president your availability, your questions and discuss how you, as the Teacher VP, and the PTA Board can effectively work together in accomplishing PTA purposes and programs, better communicate, and support one another, so the mission of PTA can be more fully accomplished.
The following are a few suggestions for the Teacher VP:
- Attend monthly PTA Board meetings. Convey to the president the times you will be available to attend. If you can attend only a portion of the meetings, ask to be scheduled on the agenda at a certain time. Depending on your district volunteer policy, you might be able to ask for a PTA volunteer or another school employee to substitute in your class during the meeting.
- During PTA Board meetings, Teacher VPs should share with the board any concerns, advice, or ideas from the teachers which the PTA Board will find useful so that PTA and teachers are working together to benefit the children. Teacher input is vital to decision making concerning PTA programs, activities, etc., at the school.
- Be sure to ask your principal if you can be added to the faculty meeting agendas in order to report what the PTA is working on, what concerns the PTA may have, what help the PTA may need, and share how and what ways the PTA is willing to help teachers when needed. Emailing the entire faculty is also a good and efficient way to communicate PTA ideas, concerns, and upcoming programs.
- Lend support to yearly membership drives. Encourage faculty members to join PTA in support of the PTA sponsored programs. Encourage the parents and students (when applicable) to join as well.
- Keep the faculty informed during the legislative session about any bills the PTA supports or has concerns with. Teachers should be encouraged to make phone calls and write letters to legislators when needed.
- Take the lead in fostering the parent-teacher partnership within the school.
- Teacher VPs would benefit from being on the Utah PTA Teachers Facebook Group.