PTO Board Spotlight

Here at the Lizard Spot, we want to help create a closer school community. One way we thought we could do that is by spotlighting parents, teachers, and staff from the GLE community. We thought we would start with the new PTO board members. We asked President Stephanie Howard, VP Marie Shadle, and Treasurer Meghan Byrnes a few questions and here are there answers. Looks like Secretary Brett Shadle may have too much going on at the moment to find the time for an interview. (he's been busy planning that new Social Studies Fair, more coming on that) Considering his stellar sense of humor, we would love to hear his answers. Give him a little nudge, maybe he can sneak in the time!

And be sure to write to us with suggestions of folks you would like to see spotlighted. Or submit a spotlight of your own. We would love to have guest writers!
 
What made you decide to serve on the PTO board?

Meghan: I wanted to serve on the PTO because it gave me the opportunity to be involved in my children's school, while also setting the example to them that it is important to stay involved in the community and always do volunteer work.

Marie: I wanted to be more involved at my children's school and help give back to the wonderful teachers!

Stephanie: Fame, power, riches. What? I don't get paid? Just the GLE pen that Mrs. Kahler gave me? Okay then, what Meghan said.

Brett: Our kids are at GLE many hours every day, and we expect that the
education they receive will give them a solid foundation for whatever it is in life they want to do.  The more parents work with and support GLE teachers and staff, the better our kids' education will be. Staying active in the PTO, and volunteering to serve on the board, is one way to ensure everyone at GLE can live up to their potential.

Share a memorable experience from your elementary school years.

Meghan: My first elementary school had a huge playgrounds that was shaped like a boat, and it was all wooden. It was amazing!

Marie:I had a wonderful principal in elementary school.  He held gymnastic sessions in the gymnasium during winter recess, took us snow skiing after school, and held a week long sleep away camp in the spring for 4th and 5th graders.

 

Stephanie: When I was in third grade, my teacher was a marathon runner. This was the school year prior to 1984 Summer Olympics. As a class that year, we ran all the way from Columbus, IN to the Olympics in Los Angeles. We had a big map on the wall of our classroom that charted our progress towards our over 2,000 mile goal. I took a big interest in watching the Olympics that summer and I was a very fit 8 year old. 

Brett: Kickball. Always kickball at recess.  Except in winter, then it was
sledding down a hill.  After a few weeks, the snow would get slick and compacted, meaning it was fast but had hard bounces.

 What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

Meghan: My favorite thing to do with my family is go hiking in the woods.

Marie: Snuggle up and watch a movie.

Stephanie: I love to read aloud to the family. I read the entire Harry Potter series to them over the last couple of years, following each of the books with its movie. I'm very sad that we that we have reached the end of the series. 

Brett: Games are always fun, and we enjoy trips (to the beach, Chicago, Arizona).

Do you have any pets?

Meghan: We have one dog and 6 cats!

 Marie: We have one dog named Simba who is almost 11 years old.

Brett: One dog, Simba.

What's something we should know about you?

Meghan: You should know that I love animals! I am a veterinarian and work at a non-profit clinic that helps community animals. I'm very passionate about my work!

Stephanie: I play tournament style Scrabble. Most recently, I scored a game high of 622 points. I memorize words in my free time, words that you only ever use in Scrabble. It doesn't get much dorkier than that. 

Brett: I don't like to give out personal information.

 

What is your favorite?

Book:

Food: 

Song:

Color: 

Animal:

Meghan: Book: Right now, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Food: Pizza

Song: Crazy Life by Toad the Wet Sprocket

Color: Purple

Animal: Cat

Marie: Food:  sweets : )

Color:  red

Stephanie: Book: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, a beautifully illustrated picture book that carries the message that we should do something to make the world more beautiful.

Food: Whatever I am craving. I could go for some fried chicken and a large pile of mashed potatoes with gravy. And chocolate cake.

Song: Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show

Color: Fall colors: burnt red, orange, golden yellow, and brown

Animal: Birds

Brett: Book: In no particular order, and the first of my favs to come to mind:
Ngugi wa Thiong'o, *A Grain of Wheat," Richard Wright, *Black Boy*,
John Kennedy Toole, "Confederacy of Dunces."
 

Food: Pizza (with appropriate beverage)

Song: Depends on my mood and what I'm doing.  But *Happy Birthday* is always nice.

 Color: Purple

Animal: Dog

How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?

Meghan: A One... A two-HOO... A tha-three..A three!

Marie: I think 501.

Brett: 3

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Meghan: Flying.

Brett: Just being super would be fine.

If I went to your house and looked inside your refrigerator, what would I see?

Meghan: Fruits and veggies (because I would hide the Milky Ways in the back where you couldn't see them).

Stephanie: Right now, you would see a few science experiments in progress because I desperately need to clean it out. In general: Fruits and veggies, real butter, full fat sour cream, and eggs.

What house would the sorting hat put you in if you were at Hogwarts?

Meghan: Gryffindor all the way!

Stephanie: I did one of those online sorting hat quizzes and was sorted into Hufflepuff. Hufflepuffs are loyal, honest, hard working, and tenacious. Seems like a good fit.

Brett: The one for people who have never read a Harry Potter book.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Meghan: Math

Marie: Math

Stephanie: English, History, and Art. 

Brett: History