Meet Your 2023-2024 PTO Board Members

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

Kristen Lawson - President

My name is Kristen and I have lived in AZ with my husband Brad since 2014 after moving here from the east coast. We moved to Gilbert with our two children in 2022 and have loved becoming part of this community and especially the HTA community! This will be my second year as PTO president and I’m so excited for all the things we plan to accomplish this year!

Tearah Rice - Vice President

Hi Hawk Families, I'm Tearah, your PTO Vice President this year. My daughter, Gracyn, is in 6th grade and is excited to be the big dog on campus. We also have two furry babies, Bo Bear and Darla. I run the marketing department at Eco Roofing Solutions; you might've seen our trucks at the school. We're big supporters of HTA! I’m also active in the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. We love living in Gilbert and being part of this amazing community. I’m excited about all the fun events we have planned this year and can’t wait to meet everyone. Let’s make this year amazing!

Catherine Kleineck - Treasurer

Hi, Hawks! My name is Catherine, and this is my second year serving you as the Treasurer of the PTO board. I have been a part of the HTA community for the past four years. My stepdaughter Lux is going into 4th grade, and we welcomed her little brother, Milo, to our family in June 2024. I’m a practicing attorney and have called Arizona home for 20+ years. Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, taking yoga classes, traveling, and cooking. When the weather is nice, you can find our family out at Cosmo Dog Park with our doodles, Kona and Axel. I am looking forward to the year ahead!

Sara Anderson - Secretary

Hi Hawk families! My name is Sara and I am excited to serve as your PTO secretary for the 2024/2025 school year! This will be my fifth year as an HTA parent and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of our school’s amazing PTO team. I am originally from Southern California and moved here with my husband and kids in 2020. We are proud to be Arizonans and love our local community. My daughter Hannah will be in fourth grade and my son Luke will be going into second grade. In my free time I enjoy running and spending time with my family and friends. I’m looking forward to the fun events we have planned, it’s going to be a great year!



COMMITTEE LEADERS

Kimberly Paffenbarger - Teacher Liaison

My name is Kimberly Paffenbarger and I teach 1st grade here at HTA! I am the teacher liaison for the PTO. I have taught for 7 years at HTA. My husband and I had our first son Fynn in May, so I've been soaking up all the newborn snuggles this summer. I love working alongside our PTO and looking forward to this upcoming school year.

Vanessa Corrales - Teacher Liaison

My name is Vanessa Corrales and I have been teaching 1st grade here at HTA for 7 years! I love to teach my students how to problem solve! I love to tell my students we are all a part of the HTA family!

Trisha Arthurs - Spirit Night Coordinator

I am excited to serve as the Spirit Night Coordinator for another year. I am originally from Ohio, but have lived here in Gilbert for over 20 years now. I have two sons that attend HTA, Zachary is in 5th grade and Zander is going in to 4th grade and we love HTA! When my husband Nate, and I are not serving our clients of our Insurance Agency - The Arthurs Agency, we enjoy traveling, anything sports (lots of hockey & karate) traveling in our motorhome, spending time with our friends and family, or you can catch me focusing on my passion, teaching or partaking in yoga or fitness classes. I am so honored and excited to be part of the PTO team once again and looking forward to another amazing year.

Melissa Stadler - Art Masterpiece Coordinator

Hello Hawk families! My name is Melissa Stalder and I will serve as the Art Masterpiece Coordinator for the second year. I am originally from Missouri and have spent almost 15 years as a Pediatric Registered Nurse. I moved to Arizona in 2015 with my husband Kyle. Our sons, Owen (5th grade) and Blake (3rd grade) are proud HTA students. I enjoy volunteering at our school and being a part of this amazing community. You can also find me spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking, attending sporting events & crafting. I look forward to another great year of participation in Art Masterpiece in the classroom. Be smart, do art! 

Ashley Gamel - Teacher Hospitality Coordinator

My name is Ashley Gamel, and I will serve as the Teacher Hospitality Coordinator this year! Originally from Southern California, I moved to Gilbert in 2021 from Washington with my husband and kids. Oliver is going into 4th grade and Addison will be in 1st grade. We love being part of the HTA community and I’m excited for the fun things we have planned for our staff & students this year!

Jen Lawrence - Digital Content Coordinator

Hi, Hawks! I’m thrilled to serve as the Digital Content Coordinator for the 2024/2025 school year! My eldest son Cameron is in 1st grade and my youngest Tyler is on his way to being a Hawk next year. Growing up in Lake Havasu, my husband Hank and I have lived in Arizona most of our lives and made Gilbert our home in 2018. When not busy running our business Lawrence Water Safety, I enjoy reading, running, and hosting our friends and family. I’m looking forward to a great year ahead!

 

Interested in Joining the PTO?

We’re always looking for parents to volunteer for events and join the team.

All volunteer opportunities are announced on our Facebook page and via email.
Sign up for the mailing list below.

If you’d like to learn about other opportunities to get involved, email us at pto.hta@gmail.com