Central Region

Nashia Abdul-Aleem

Nashia Abdul-Aleem, is a new Field Service Representative for Indiana PTA for the Central Region. She is involved with Francis W. Parker #56, and the Central Indiana Council of PTAs. Nashia was involved as a member initially and helped the unit as needed. After doing a summer book study of Beyond the Bake Sale, she was energized to assist with reorganizing our unit in 2009. Nashia was elected to serve as Vice President in the fall of that year and then unexpectedly assumed the presidency during the spring semester of 2010 when the president transferred her student to another school. She has served in that capacity since that point. Nashia originally became involved because she was looking for a meaningful way to be involved with the school. PTA and our Parent Liaison / School-Community Coordinator presented that opportunity for her. While president of her school she helped them achieve 50% membership increase 2010, a 25% membership increase and 100% Teacher and Principal Participation 2011.

Expertise:

Areas Available: Central Region
Email: nshazba@indianapta.org
Phone: (317) 709-4944

Rachel Burke

Rachel is now a Field Service Rep for Central region while also serving as the VP of legislation for Lowell, treasurer of Warren Council and a Homefest Chair for Warren Township.
She began her involvement at the WECC when her oldest was 3 and has been involved at every school her children have attended ever since. Rachel got involved because her parents did, and that instilled in her ‘that it was a parent’s responsibility to be involved in PTA’. Rachel became even more involved after coming to understand PTA’s mission – to advocate for every child.

Rachel has 3 children, Katie, Christopher, and Isabelle as well as a very tolerant husband Stuart. Their girls are both on the Autism Spectrum. She is very active in Special Ed parents groups as well as serving on the SEPAC for Warren Township. Rachel also does volunteer work for the Ukrainian American Cultural Society of Indiana. She used to be an historian as well as a mathematician, and she really enjoys needlework and reading.

Rachel’s passions are Special Education, Legislative Advocacy (she’s a policy wonk,) and working with minority/ESL/low-income involvement.

Expertise:

Advocacy
Legislation
Bylaws
Reflections
Secretary
Treasurer
Special Education

Areas Available: Central Region
Email: rburke@indianapta.org
Phone: (317) 897-0052

Sue Switzer

A teacher by profession in the Indianapolis Public School system, has worked for the last 20 years as a parent advocate. She received a BS from Purdue University and a MS from Ball State University and taught Science to 7th and 8th graders. Living in the Indianapolis area there are many opportunities to work with schools and diverse families on how to become engaged in their children’s education.
Sue is a past president of the Indiana PTA and has served as a member of her local school board for seven years.
Sue recently retired as Executive Director of the Indiana Center for Family, School and Community Partnerships but continues to work with the Center as a consultant for Family Math and Family Science.
At the present time she serves as Issues Commission chairman for Indiana PTA. A portion of her time is spent as Christian Education Director for her church.

Expertise:

Board School Partnerships
Legislation
Parent Involvement
Helping Parents Understand Standards & Assessments
Pandemic Flu
Nutrition & Physical Therapy

Areas Available:Central Region, Central Council, Convention, Statewide
Email: sswitzer@indianapta.org
Phone: (317) 353-2474

Job Wise

Currently a senior at IUPUI, Job has been on the board for five years. He is a graduate of Warren Central High School. After college he plans to go into the field of finance. Job is currently on the National PTA Youth Involvement Committee.

Expertise:

TCBI
Student Involvement
P/R Marketing

Areas Available: Central Region, Convention, Statewide
Email: jwise@indianapta.org
Phone: (317) 519-5779

Maria Wright

Maria has been a member of Eleanor Skillen IPS #34 and Francis W Parker IPS #56 and is currently serving as liaison for the principal and staff.

She has worked extensively with schools to strengthen their PTAs as a parent involvement stratgy.

Maria has 2 adult children and 2 grandchildren, Riley and Jaylen.

Expertise:

Parent Involvement

Areas Available: Central Region, Central Council, Convention, Statewide
Email: mwright@indianapta.org
Phone: (317) 362-9601