Utah PTA Pulse Podcast

Welcome to the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, your go-to source for everything happening in the world of Utah education and advocacy! 📢 Hosted by "Corey Fairholm" (Immediate Past President of Utah PTA) and "Angelee Aedo" (Vice President of Advocacy), this podcast brings you insightful, lighthearted, and essential conversations about how we can better support our children and schools. 🍎👪

In this episode, our hosts sit down with special guest Amber Bonner, the Utah PTA Education Commissioner, to pull back the curtain on what it truly means to be involved in education leadership. Whether you've wondered what an Education Commissioner actually does all day or how to navigate the complex world of legislative bills, this discussion covers it all with a focus on making advocacy accessible for everyone.

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Amber shares her personal journey and professional expertise, highlighting the importance of knowing who the right people are to talk to so your voice isn't "useless" in the system. From watching countless board meetings to understanding the nuances of the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), Amber provides a roadmap for parents who want to move from the sidelines to the front lines of change.

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But it’s not all policy and procedures! Get to know the team behind the titles as they share their favorite winter traditions—from Amber’s love of cozying up with a book in the snow to Corey’s memories of skiing in California. You’ll even hear about the "Redheaded Oreo" and the podcast's signature ending: a celebratory dance! 💃❄️

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Tune in to discover:

• How to effectively engage with the USBE and local officials.
• The reality of serving as an Education Commissioner.+1
• Practical tips to overcome the frustrations of getting involved.
• Why your unique perspective as a parent makes you the ultimate expert on your child.

Join hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo as they welcome Yvonne Johnson, National PTA President, for an inspiring conversation about the power of parent advocacy! 🎙️

In this episode, discover how advocacy is woven into the DNA of PTA and why it matters more than ever. Yvonne shares her personal journey from a frustrated parent fighting for religious holiday recognition to becoming the leader of the nation's largest child advocacy organization. Her story proves that every parent's voice counts! 💪

What You'll Learn: ✨ How PTA's mission centers on advocating for EVERY child 🗣️ Why membership creates a powerful collective voice 📚 Simple ways parents are already advocating without realizing it 🤝 The importance of coalition building and sharing personal stories 💡 Resources available at PTA.org/advocacy to support your advocacy journey

Hear heartwarming stories about how PTA involvement shapes children into lifelong advocates, from voting and attending legislative sessions to standing up for what they believe in. Whether you're new to PTA or a seasoned leader, you'll leave feeling empowered to make a difference! 🌟

Key Takeaway: You don't need to be an expert to advocate—your personal story and experience are your expertise. From parent-teacher conferences to school board meetings, if you're raising your voice for children, you're already an advocate!

Utah PTA celebrates 100 years while National PTA marks 129 years of fighting for children's futures. Join this incredible legacy! 🎉

On this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo (VP of Advocacy Angelietta is mentioned in the transcript ) are joined by Raquel Fodole Clark from the partner organization, One Kind Act A Day.

Before diving into kindness initiatives, co-host Angelee Aedo asks Raquel, who is expecting a baby, what she's most looking forward to—seeing her child’s personality develop—and the hosts share valuable parenting advice, emphasizing listening to motherly instinct and not being afraid to "pivot" since every child is different.

Raquel introduces One Kind Act A Day, a non-profit organization focused on spreading kindness in the community based on the vision that the world would be a better place if everyone did at least one kind act daily. The organization partners with businesses, communities, religions, and schools to enhance a culture of kindness.

A key focus of the discussion is the new Teacher Recognition Award in partnership with Utah PTA. Raquel explains that the monthly award celebrates teachers for the sacrifices they make. The nominated teacher receives a $500 grant to use in their classroom. Anyone, including other teachers, parents, or students, can nominate a deserving teacher who goes "above and beyond" and practices kindness daily. The nomination form can be found on the Utah PTA website (UtahPTA.org).

Raquel also discusses One Kind Act A Day's initiative for schools to become certified as an "official school of kindness" through a year-long program involving service projects, counting kindness, and art and essay projects. They also establish student-led kindness clubs for sustainability in following years. Schools interested in applying can find the application on thepowerofkind.org.

The hosts praise One Kind Act A Day's work for bringing communities together and promoting deliberate acts of kindness

Hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo chat with Amanda Morton, VP of Relationship Development at Cyprus Credit Union , about their partnership with Utah PTA. Amanda highlights Cyprus's commitment to supporting educators and students , including providing the free Stukent Financial Literacy Software to every high school in the state of Utah. This software is a digital version of the Game of Life , where students manage credit scores, mortgages, and paychecks over a semester. The program earned Cyprus the Honors in Education Award from Abby Cox.

Host Corey Fairholm and VP of Advocacy Angelee Aedo welcome Utah PTA Family Life Commissioner Aimee Warren to discuss her role, which focuses on everything happening outside of school hours , including foster care and adoption, after-school programs, and encouraging family time. Amy shares details about her ongoing initiative, Table Talk Tuesday , a weekly social media post on the Utah PTA Facebook and Instagram that provides families with conversation starters to use at the dinner table or in the car. The conversation emphasizes the importance of parental engagement in their children's education and whole life for their success and well-being. Finally, Amy, a former Legislative Action Committee (LAC) member, discusses advocacy work at the Capitol , upcoming bills like affordable child care , and how listeners can get involved with the Family Life Commission or the LAC.

One-Sentence Description:

Utah PTA Safety Commissioner Tina Seastrand reveals the expansive world of school safety—from cyberbullying to funding challenges—and how parents can get involved in protecting students.

Full Description:

🎧 Episode Overview: Join hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo as they sit down with Tina Seastrand, Utah PTA Safety Commissioner, for an eye-opening conversation about the multifaceted challenges of keeping students safe in 2025.

What You'll Learn: 🔍

• The expanded role of safety beyond just physical security—including digital wellness, cyberbullying, mental health, and cyber attacks
• What's coming in the upcoming legislative session regarding school safety provisions 📋
• The critical funding gap between safety mandates and available resources
• How safety connects to student learning and mental health 🧠
• Practical ways parents can get involved at the local level—even without a formal safety commissioner role

Key Topics Covered: ✨ ✅ School safety legislation updates (House Bill 40 and beyond) ✅ Partnerships with organizations like Utah Coalition Against Pornography, Safe UT, and NAMI ✅ The importance of PTA and School Community Council collaboration ✅ Creating safe walking routes and advocating for infrastructure improvements 🚸 ✅ How to join Utah PTA's Safety Committee

Perfect For: 👥 Parents, educators, community members, and anyone passionate about student safety and wellbeing

Connect: 📧 Interested in joining the Safety Committee? Email: [email protected]

Because when students feel safe, they can truly learn and thrive. 💚

Did you know Utah schools receive over $110 million annually from a fund that began before statehood? Hosts Corey Fairholm and Angelee Aedo talk with Sherry Mattle, Utah PTA's Trust Lands Chair, about this powerful education resource.

Discover how a 1989 PTA resolution transformed a $50 million fund into today's $3.7 billion for education. Learn why Utah PTA serves as watchdog for these funds, and how YOU influence spending at your child's school through the School Community Council.

Utah PTA Mission: To make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Key Points

Trust Lands History: Established by the 1894 Utah Enabling Act before statehood. PTA leader Sandra Skousen's 1989 resolution led to the 1994 creation of SITLA, growing the fund from $50 million to $3.7 billion in 30 years.

How It Works: Three offices manage the trust—SITLA (land management), SITFO (investments), and the Advocacy Office (oversight). Revenue comes from grazing leases, mineral rights, land sales, and investments.

Your Local Voice: Every school has a School Community Council deciding how trust lands money is spent. The council must have more parents than staff, with a parent as chair. Funds prioritize student growth in math, reading, and science with measurable outcomes.

PTA's Watchdog Role: Utah PTA protects trust lands as an independent voice not funded by government. PTA monitors legislation to prevent funds from being redirected from their intended purpose.

Takeaways

You Have Power: Influence trust lands spending at your child's school through the School Community Council. One parent's concern can create meaningful change.

Collaborate: When PTAs and School Community Councils work together, combining volunteers and funding, powerful solutions emerge for students.

Protect the Promise: Trust lands represent Utah's commitment to support public education forever. Honor that trust for current and future students.

Stay Informed: Follow Utah PTA advocacy updates about trust lands legislation. Contact your legislators to protect these funds.

Get Involved: Attend School Community Council meetings, join the Trust Lands Committee ([email protected]), and visit trustlands.utah.gov to see your school's funding.

🎧 New Podcast Alert! Utah PTA Leadership Academy Insights! 🚀

Want to take your PTA leadership skills to the next level? You've got to hear the latest episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast!

Immediate Past President Corey Fairholm and VP of Advocacy Angelee Aedo welcome guest Stacey Mollinet to discuss the acclaimed Utah PTA Leadership Academy!

What You'll Learn:

The Leadership Academy equips ALL PTA LEADERS (local, council, and region) with essential, proven strategies in:

• Family Engagement
• Advocacy
• Outreach
• Communication

This immersive, NO COST training helps you understand the why and the how behind effective leadership, setting it apart from standard convention training.

🌟 Prepare for the Winter 2026 Session!

The Fall 2025 session is underway, but it's time to prepare for the Winter 2026 Leadership Academy!

• Application Opens: November 2025
• Training Offered: Four sessions held once a month (tentative Tuesdays: January 20, February 17, March 17, April 21, 2026) at the Utah PTA office.
• Commitment: Full attendance and engagement in all sessions are required for success.

We are seeking forward-thinking leaders who: demonstrate a passion for our vision, exhibit integrity, believe PTA should be inclusive, and strive to increase family engagement!

Don't wait! Listen now to get all the details and prepare your application!

• 🎧 Listen to the Podcast: https://www.utahpta.org/pulse-podcast
• 📚 Learn More & Sign Up for Notifications: https://www.utahpta.org/leadership-academy

❓ Questions? Contact Stacey Mollinet at [email protected].

In this episode of the Utah PTA Pulse Podcast, host Corey Fairholm, the immediate past president , and Angelee Aedo, the VP of Advocacy , sit down with Andrea Hinton, the Director of Membership, to discuss the vital role of membership in empowering the Utah PTA's mission. Membership is the backbone of the organization, providing the powerful voice needed to advocate for all children on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Andrea shares the excitement of Utah PTA's 100th anniversary and the fun, year-long "birthday party" membership campaign. They dive into the details of new and exciting membership awards designed to encourage local PTAs, like the "Early Bird Award" (50% of last year's membership by September 25th) and the new 100th-anniversary awards: the "UTAH-PTA Centennial Unit" (100 members by October 25th) and the "Visionary Award" (100 members over last year's total or double membership if they had less than 100).

Learn how easy it is for anyone to join—parents, teachers, grandparents, business owners, and community members—even if they don't have children in school. The common misconception that joining requires volunteering is debunked: your low-cost annual dues (around $8 per year ) support essential programs and give you a voice in how the PTA spends money, with no volunteer hours required.

Joining a local PTA not only connects you to your school and community but also grants you membership with both Utah PTA and National PTA, unlocking access to valuable training (like "Thrive" ), the availability of grants (for programs like STEAM, reflections, and advocacy ), and discounts and perks. Get practical tips on how local PTAs are making membership drives fun by involving the kids with competitions and incentives, such as class pizza parties. With a goal of 100,000 members this year , the team emphasizes that every single member increases their power to advocate for more school funding, better programs, and healthier schools for our children.

Join hosts Corey Fairholm (Utah PTA Immediate Past President) and Andrea Hinton (Director of Membership) as they sit down with Angelee Aedo (VP of Advocacy) for an inspiring conversation about Utah PTA's upcoming Advocacy Conference. In celebration of 100 years of advocacy excellence, this special event promises to honor the past while equipping parents, educators, and community members with the essential skills to advocate effectively for children today and into the future.

This episode breaks down everything you need to know: when and where to attend, what classes are offered, why resolutions matter, and how your voice can make a lasting difference in every child's education. Plus, find out about the exciting past president panel and the special 100th birthday celebration!

Mission: To make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
• Time: 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
• Location: Jordan Learning Center (9800 South Bangerter, across from Elkridge Middle School)
• Cost: $10 registration + $15 optional lunch (Apple Spice Junction catering)
• Registration Deadline: November 3rd for lunch orders; registration continues until event day
• Format: In-person only (no virtual option this year)

Conference Theme: "Honoring the Past While Shaping the Future" - Celebrating 100 years of Utah PTA advocacy work

Special Features:

• Past President Panel discussing historic advocacy wins and lessons learned
• Three resolution votes during business meeting (cyber bullying, students with disabilities, education funding)
• 100th birthday celebration with special cake during lunch
• Networking opportunities with like-minded advocates

Classes Offered (Two Sessions):

• Advocacy Basics (offered in both sessions)
• Legislative Basics with Amber Bonner
• History of Trust Lands with Margaret Byrd
• Resolution Writing: Process and Importance
• Family Engagement: Building School-Parent Partnerships

Who Should Attend: Everyone! PTA members, parents, teachers, administrators, community members, advocacy reps, presidents, and anyone passionate about children's education. Non-PTA members welcome at slightly higher cost.

Three Resolutions to be Voted On:

1. Cyber Bullying (New) - Addressing technology-filled world challenges including AI
2. Students with Disabilities (Updated) - Adding federal funding provisions
3. Education Funding (Updated) - Including unfunded mandates language

Registration Information: Visit utahpta.org > Events tab > Advocacy Conference Questions: Email Angelee at UtahPTA.org

Remember: Wear your PTA gear proudly, but leave candidate shirts and political buttons at home—Utah PTA is proudly nonpartisan.

Producer: Michael Williams, Utah PTA Director of Communications

Connect with us and register today to be part of Utah PTA's legacy of advocacy excellence!