When the Evanston/Skokie District 65 PTA Council presented a special award to long-time education activist Mindy Wallis earlier this week, Kristen James told the board that a common question asked by parents over the past two decades is, “Who is that Mindy Wallis?”
The answer, she said, was that “Mindy has been a constant advocate for parent participation, collaboration, and transparency with the administration.”
With the school year coming to an end in Evanston this week, Wallis’ youngest child has completed his education in the local public school system by graduating from Evanston Township High School.
During those school years, Mindy has shared information for parents and families on school email lists, local bulletin boards, local media, numerous appearances at District 65 and District 202 board meetings, and on her own website.
From 1998 to 2008, she was a member of the King Lab PTA , where she was a Team Parent, Working Parent Coordinator, vice president for Outreach, vice president for legislation, webmaster, member of the Wellness Committee, Grant Writing Committee, Springfest Silent Auction Coordinator, PTA Programming Committee, Tune Out TV Coordinator, PTA Council representative, and creator of the King Lab Parents Listserve.
On the Evanston Township High School PTSA, she was Listserve Coordinator, Webmaster, School Improvement Team member, and Curriculum Forum Member.
On the D65/202 PTA Council, she served as Tune Out TV Week Coordinator, created a Best Practices Wiki, and served on both the D65 Parent Communications Committee and the D65 Technology Study Committee.
Oh, and she was president of the Council in 2008-2010 as well as being Webmaster and Listserve Coordinator.
For her efforts, the PTA Council presented her last Monday with a bouquet of flowers.
Top: James and Wallis (holding flowers) at District 65 board meeting last Monday.
We all owe Mindy thanks
Mindy has been one of the most influential members of our community. She has made D65 and D202 be transparent. She has made both districts be more accountable to EVERY community stakeholder. Mindy has aided parent communication and is behind such programs as school listserves, Facebook groups, parent ambassadors, and PTSA and Parents Engaged. Mindy has advocated for every child in this community. She has been fearless in her advocacy when other folks are worried about retribution. I know she and her kids have had to pay the price but she never let that stop her! There are many parents who will advocate for their own kids behind closed doors-but Mindy has truly been a community leader for everybody. Thank you, Mindy. Evanston needs more people like Mindy!
Thank you, Mindy
I agree with the above poster—we do all owe Mindy thanks. Her work keeping parents informed alone through the listserve has been invaluable to me.
So, i'll just come out and say it: Thank you, Mindy!