Leadership Spotlight!

A lot happens behind the scenes to keep FLPTA moving forward, and Gayathri Thyagarajan is one-of-a-kind. Please get to know your FLPTA, Membership Committee Vice-Chair, Gayathri, in our new Leadership Spotlight!

What inspires you to be part of PTA?

I’m inspired by the sense of connection and teamwork within PTA. It’s a place where parents, educators, and community members come together with one goal—to support our children’s growth and success. Being part of that shared mission is deeply rewarding.

How long have you been involved in PTA work?

I’ve been involved with PTA for about seven years, serving in various roles at the local, county, and state levels. What inspires me most is seeing people volunteer with pure hearts—giving their time and energy without expecting anything in return. That spirit of kindness and teamwork is what keeps me here and makes PTA so special.

What’s something you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time, I love spending time with my boys, trying out new yoga practices, and discovering new things through long conversations with my husband. I also enjoy cooking new recipes, creating mandala art and paintings, exploring photography and filmmaking, and even practicing archery and birdwatching. Each of these brings me joy, balance, and a sense of creativity.

What's your favorite TV show right now?

No TV at home—my favorite “show” is Life with My Boys! Full of laughs, surprises, and nonstop episodes...

Could you share a few sentences of advice for PTA leaders as we head into the fall season?

As we step into the fall season, my advice for PTA leaders is to lead with heart and stay connected to your community. Small acts of kindness, genuine listening, and consistent support can make a huge difference. Remember to celebrate every success, no matter how small, and take time to recharge yourself—because a happy and balanced leader inspires a thriving PTA.

What to know about the Membership Challenge!

The Membership Challenge is a fantastic way for everyone to get involved and make a real difference in our schools! Let’s come together, grow our PTA family, and see just how much we can achieve when everyone participates. Every new member brings us closer to stronger schools, stronger programs, and a stronger community—and with a little friendly competition and fun rewards along the way, the excitement is endless!

https://www.floridapta.org/membership-challenge/

Florida PTA 2026 Leadership Convention Call for Workshops!

Planning for the 2026 Leadership Convention is already in full swing, and we want your input! If you have an idea for a dynamic and engaging workshop that would be a valuable addition to the convention program, we invite you to share it with us by completing this form.

Due: November 30, 2025

2025-2026 Award Application Date Updates!

Early Bird Award:

This award will be given to each local PTA/PTSA submitting an application form and payment of state and national dues for 100% membership or any amount over last year’s membership (See the Celebrate Membership Award criteria for details on 100% membership. Note that if the total school population decreases, the total membership may be less than last year, but it can still achieve 100% membership as calculated. 

• Golden Early Bird Award - Dues must be paid and received in the Florida PTA Office on or before October 1.
• Silver Early Bird Award - Dues must be paid and received in the Florida PTA Office on or before November 1.
• Bronze Early Bird Award - Dues must be paid and received in the Florida PTA Office on or before December 1.

Awards Workshop via Zoom: January 14, 2026

Awards deadline Submissions: May 1, 2026

Finalists notified: June 30, 2026

Awards Luncheon (at Convention): July 10, 2026

Call for Nominations

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the FLPTA Leadership Team for 2026–2028,

Click here for more information!

2025-2026 Florida PTA Scholarship

As we approach the end of the academic year filled with promise and potential, the Florida PTA is excited to announce the launch of our annual scholarship program. This program recognizes and supports outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and community service.

The application window is now open and will remain so until March 2nd, 2026.

We encourage all 12th-grade students to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their achievements and aspirations. Every application will be thoroughly reviewed by the Florida PTA Scholarship Committee, which comprises dedicated education professionals, parents, and community leaders.

Please ensure that you have completed all the required fields.

If you have any questions, please email Scholarship@floridapta.org.

Application Requirements:

• Must be a Florida PTA Member
• Submit a completed and signed application by March 2nd, 2026
• Must include a High school transcript showing a GPA of at least 2.5
• Submit a Letter of Recommendation 
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION HERE

2025-2026 Membership Challenge is HERE!

Knocking on 30 -  Ready, Set, Remit! - 11/10/2025

Student All-Stars – 10% Student Membership - 11/25/2025

Mid-Season Power Play – Halfway There Award - 11/30/2025

Hit a Home Run– Grow Thankful for Membership - 12/10/2025

Century Club – 100 Days & 100 + Members Strong - 1/15/2026

Legacy Line-Up – Founders' Day Membership Challenge - 2/28/26

Home Run Derby – Membership March Challenge - 3/31/26

Grand Slam – 9 for the Win – Convention Prize - 4/15/26

Recruit Your All-Star Lineup – 25% Male Membership Challenge - 6/1/2026

Swing for the Fences – The Grand Prize! - 6/30/2026

Follow us on social media so you don't miss any announcements!

Membership Mania

Start Strong & Engage All Year

Membership Mania is a fun, year-long campaign designed to help local PTAs integrate membership growth into everything they do. It offers free resources, interactive challenges, and prize opportunities for PTAs that register and participate. 

Four Phases to Success

1. Start the School Year Strong
2. Strengthen Your Membership Momentum
3. Membership is Year-Round
4. Set Your PTA Up for Success Next Year

Each phase encourages activities, collaboration, and making membership about connection—not just numbers. 

Membership Is About Relationships. The campaign emphasizes that membership isn’t just a transaction. People join and stay when they feel seen, valued, and connected to the mission. 

Join Today

Registration for the 2025-26 school year is open. Sign up to take advantage of the resources and connect with other PTA leaders.

JOIN YOUR FLORIDA PTA DEIJ COMMITTEE, ALONG WITH SOME AWARD-WINNING LOCAL PTA UNITS, TO PRESENT THEIR IDEAS FOR “DEIJ PROGRAMMING AROUND THE WORLD”

Thursday, November 6th 7:00pm via zoom

Link Here

Leadership Development Community Engagement: Blueprint for Building Stronger Community Partnerships

Part one: Saturday, November 8th, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Registration Link

Part Two: Saturday, November 15th, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Registration Link

Membership Monday MEMO

Please join your Florida PTA Membership Commission on Monday, November 10, 7:30-8:30pm for an interactive round table with strategies to grow your membership, family engagement, male engagement, and teacher engagement! Learn resources and tips! Please register in advance by clicking here.

Bridging Generations: LGBTQ+ School Days Then and Now

Join Kaleidoscope PTA and Parenting with Pride for a special webinar that brings together LGBTQ+ elders and youth to explore what it’s like growing up queer or trans in high school—then and now.

Our panelists will share real stories from their own school days. Some moments of courage, connection, isolation, and joy which will offer a unique window into how life for LGBTQ+ young people has changed (and how it hasn’t). Together, we’ll uncover the shared threads that connect generations of queer experience and celebrate the resilience that continues to shape our community. You don't want to miss it, so register here

Student Mentorship Program

Introducing the Florida PTA Student Mentorship Program: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

The Florida PTA Leadership Development Team is thrilled to announce the launch of our Student Mentorship Program—a dynamic initiative designed to cultivate leadership, foster meaningful connections, and empower students across our state to thrive both personally and professionally.

This program pairs passionate adult mentors with motivated student mentees, creating a supportive space for growth, guidance, and shared learning. Whether you're a seasoned leader eager to give back or a student ready to explore your potential, this is your moment to step into a transformative journey.

Why Mentorship Matters?

Mentorship is more than advice—it's advocacy, encouragement, and legacy-building. Through one-on-one engagement, mentors help students:

•    Build confidence and communication skills

•    Navigate academic and career pathways

•    Explore civic engagement and leadership opportunities

•    Develop resilience and a sense of purpose

Mentees bring fresh perspectives, curiosity, and ambition—reminding us all why investing in youth leadership is essential to our mission. Applications Now Open!

We are currently accepting applications for both mentors and student mentees. If you're ready to inspire or be inspired, we invite you to apply and become part of this exciting new chapter.

 Mentee (Student) Application Link 

 Mentor Application Link

 Deadline to apply: November 15, 2025

Who Should Apply?

Mentors: PTA leaders, educators, professionals, and community advocates with a heart for youth development and a commitment to inclusive leadership.

Mentees: Middle and high school students who are curious, driven, and eager to grow with the support of a trusted adult guide.

What to Expect?

Participants will engage in:

•    Monthly virtual or in-person check-ins

•    Leadership development workshops

•    Collaborative projects and service opportunities

•    A culminating celebration of growth and impact

Together, we’ll build bridges across generations and communities—creating a ripple effect of leadership that lasts.

Click Here for More Information!

L3- Listen Lead Learn

Join your FLPTA Leadership Development Commission for their listening tour. We are here for you. No PowerPoint, No hype. What can we do for you? How can we help you, your local unit, or your county council? Let us answer your questions and help us plan your development as a leader. You can send your questions in advance if you wish to Karen Mazzola: vp.leadership@floriapta.org

Registration Link

The Power of Dads: Why Male Engagement Matters in Our Schools

by Gamal Mack, Florida PTA Male Enagamenet Chairf

When it comes to shaping a strong school community, everyone has a role to play—and that includes dads, grandfathers, uncles, and male mentors. Research consistently shows that when men take an active role in schools, students thrive both academically and emotionally. Yet, many PTAs still see low male participation. Changing that can make a big difference.

Boosting Student Success

Children benefit immensely when the men in their lives show up. Studies reveal that students with involved fathers or male role models earn higher grades, have better attendance, and are more likely to enjoy school. When boys and girls alike see men volunteering, reading, or helping in classrooms, it sends a powerful message that education matters to everyone—not just moms or teachers.

Building Stronger School Communities

Male engagement brings balance and diversity to school events, leadership, and decision-making. Men often bring unique perspectives and practical problem-solving skills that strengthen PTA projects and activities. Whether it’s setting up a STEM night, organizing a sports fundraiser, or mentoring students, male volunteers help create well-rounded programs that reflect the full spectrum of the community.

Breaking Stereotypes

In many schools, volunteering and PTA involvement are still viewed as “mom duties.” Encouraging men to participate challenges outdated stereotypes and shows children that care, service, and leadership are shared responsibilities. When students see dads reading at story time, helping at drop-off, or leading a school garden project, they learn that involvement and kindness are not defined by gender.

How to Encourage Male Involvement

Start by personally inviting men to participate—research shows that direct, specific invitations are far more effective than general calls for volunteers. Offer flexible opportunities that fit varied schedules, such as weekend projects or short-term commitments. And celebrate the men who do step up! Highlight their contributions in newsletters, social media, and PTA meetings to inspire others.

When men engage in school life, everyone benefits. The ripple effects reach classrooms, homes, and communities. Let’s work together to make sure every child sees men and women side by side—both committed to helping them learn, grow, and succeed.

Gamal Mack

Florida PTA Male Engagement Chair

Male.Engagement@Floridapta.org

Leadership, Community, and the Heart of PTA: Why Our Work Matters More Than Ever 

Leadership in PTA isn’t about titles or positions, it’s about people. It’s about showing up for children, families, and schools with compassion, courage, and the belief that together, we can make a difference. True leadership is grounded in community, because when a community comes together, every child has a greater chance to thrive. 

This November, as we recognize National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, we are reminded of the children who often go unseen. Across the country, thousands of our youth face the unimaginable reality of not having a safe, stable place to call home. Some sleep in shelters, cars, or temporary housing. Others move from couch to couch, unsure of where they’ll be tomorrow. And yet, they still show up, at school, in our classrooms, in our hallways, carrying burdens far too heavy for their age. 

For many of these children, school is more than a place of learning. It’s a lifeline. It’s where they find their only hot meal, their only consistent adult support, their only sense of safety. And this is where PTA steps in, not just as organizers or volunteers, but as advocates, protectors, and bridge-builders. 

We don’t ask where a child comes from. We don’t ask who they are or what they’ve been through. We simply say: You belong here sweetie. You matter.  

Every fundraiser we host, every event we plan, every conversation we have with a teacher, Principal, parent or guardian, or decision maker is an act of leadership that reaches beyond logistics. It reaches into the heart of a child who needs to know they are seen. That they are valued. That they are not alone. 

Leadership in PTA is not about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about showing up even when it’s hard, even when it’s inconvenient, and when we feel overwhelmed. It’s about recognizing that behind every statistic is a child with a name, a story, and a future worth fighting for. 

And community? It’s not about sameness. It’s about embracing everyone’s background, experience, identity, and using it as a source of strength. It’s the collective power of parents, caregivers, educators, and community partners that allows us to meet both the visible and invisible needs of our children. 

When we raise funds, we’re not just supporting programs, we’re opening doors. We’re giving a child the chance to join the school play, attend a robotics competition, or go on a field trip that sparks a lifelong dream. When we advocate, we’re lifting voices that may not yet have the words. We’re standing in the gap for youth who need someone to believe in them, to speak up for them, to fight for their right to thrive. 

So, this November, let us recommit to the heart of our mission. Let us lead with empathy. Let us build communities where every child, regardless of where they sleep at night, what language they speak, or how they identify, feels safe, supported, and celebrated. 

Because at the end of the day, that is what true leadership looks like in the PTA we love so much. 

5 Effective Strategies: For Family Engagement

Our PTAs know that when families and schools come together, amazing things happen for our children! Family engagement is all about building strong connections between parents, teachers, and our community to help every child succeed. Getting involved doesn’t have to mean attending every meeting or volunteering for every event. It’s about staying connected, showing support, and being part of your child’s learning journey in whatever way works best for you.

Here’s what family engagement means to us:

• Teamwork: Families and schools working side by side to help students grow.
• Inclusion: Every family has a voice and a place at the table.
• Empowerment: Giving parents and caregivers the tools they need to help their children shine.
• Community: Celebrating the unique strengths that every family brings to our school.

When families feel welcome and connected, students do better academically, socially, and

emotionally. That’s why PTA is dedicated to creating more ways for families to get involved, share ideas, and make lasting memories together.

Standing Up and Speaking Up for all Children

PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Become Advocates who will be aware of what is happening at all levels of government that impacts the education and well-being of all children. Designate a PTA/PTSA member to be your resource person regarding School Board, City and County Commission meetings. Your PTA/PTSA should know your elected officials' names, office locations and contact information. 

Your resource person should obtain a schedule of upcoming meeting dates and verify if there may be an agenda item that applies to the quality of life of a school aged child. 

Verify if FLPTA (flordiapta.org) or NPTA (pta.org) has position statements that will provide support for or against a particular agenda item. Decide if the President or designee will speak on behalf of PTA regarding the agenda item. Remember PTA is nonpartisan; we speak on issues not the individual who is handling the items.

FLORIDA PTA

Advocacy Committee

Questions or concerns - contact - advocacy@floridapta.org  

Our Teachers Matter! Keep the "T" in PTA! Here is how they play a role in PTA

FLPTA Committee Member Openings!

If you want to be a part of the FLPTA leadership team, we have openings in the following FLPTA committees:

• Awards
• Coalition & Outreach
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
• Education Professionals
• Literacy
• Male Engagement
• Media & Marketing
• Programs
• Resolutions

Please submit an interest form here

General Registration: $150 - through June 1, 2026

$200 - June 2, through June 19, 2026

K-12 Students Registration: $25 Students K - 12 Grade (with delegate status) 

Children under the age of 5 enter at no cost (without delegate status)

REED Charitable Foundation (RCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the literacy crisis and ensuring every child is empowered and afforded their fundamental right to literacy. Our Parent Resources include carefully curated books, podcasts, videos, and more to help families better understand and explain a dyslexia diagnosis, along with a list of recommended tutors personally reviewed by the RCF team. We also provide best-in-class trainings—accessible to both educators and parents—on structured literacy practices grounded in the science of reading. In addition, RCF offers Parent University sessions, community education events, and a parent volunteer group, all of which create a meaningful fellowship, exceptional learning opportunities, and ways for parents to make a tangible impact in solving the literacy crisis. To learn more, please visit us at: https://reedcharitablefoundation.org/