Sunday, April 2, 2017

Bios for FPAC Election



It's almost time for the FPAC elections!!!  We currently have 6- 2 year terms as well as 1- 1 year term available.  If you would like to add your name to the election ballot, please email your name and bio to fpacgilbert@gmail.com.  Below are the bios we have received so far.  Bios are not in any particular order and have been posted exactly as they were received.
Elections will be held the week of April 17-21, 2017.  A link will be sent to you by email.


Dorian Richardson
Dorian Lorrae Richardson is a Naturopathic Medical Student at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ.  She obtained her B.S. in Biology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2012.  Prior to entering medical school, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry.  She is also a public speaker and trained Life Coach where she works with others to help them reach their maximum potential. She spends her free time mentoring disadvantaged youth in her community and is a peer mentor for underclassmen at her institution.  One of her greatest pleasures is being a mother to her energetic 5 year old son.

Pindi Sparks
My name is Pindi Sparks and I have 4 children who are apart of the Benjamin Franklin Charter School family.  My youngest is in the 3rd grade and I have twins in the fourth. My oldest, Jacey,  is a freshman at Benjamin Franklin High School.  I have volunteered in many of their classes over the last few years by helping in the classrooms and by being a chaperon on a couple of field trips as well as being behind the scenes for classroom parties and staff appreciation weeks. This past year I was on the FPAC board.  I worked on the Scholastic Books set up and sales at the Fall Festival.  Also the coordinator of the fall poster contest and most importantly the Box Tops program.  I enjoyed working with parents, staff and other FPAC members. I love the Benjamin Franklin family and I look forward to serve on the board next year.

Courtney South
My name is Courtney South. I have four children. Two of my daughters are currently students at Ben Franklin. Grace is a fifth grader in Mrs Nelson's class and Vanessa is a fourth grader in Mrs Rowe's class this year.  This year was my first year serving on the FPAC. I helped organize the 100 day celebration and have been a helper wherever I'm needed in the school and within FPAC. I never realized just how much FPAC does to help enrich the school! I love working with kids and families, and I love that Ben Franklin is a community. Outside of the FPAC, I work as a crisis therapist and help people who are struggling with various areas of life and I love Zumba and spending time with my family. I look forward to helping the school next year as an FPAC member. Thanks for your consideration!

Ashlee Frei
My name is Ashlee Frei and I am 28 years old. I was born in Provo, UT but have lived in Arizona from the time I was about 6 months old. I grew up in Awhatukee until I was 8 when we moved to Gilbert. I obtained my Bachelors degree in Communications with a minor in Computer Technology. I am married with three beautiful children. Loren is our oldest and the only boy! He is in kindergarten this year and will be continuing at Benjamin Franklin next year for 1st grade. My two daughters are Myra, age 4, and Hollis, born in November of 2016. My interests include spending time with my family, reading, singing, and watching movies. We love to take walks to the park and play with our dog Phoenix. I also help my husband run our window cleaning company, Pane Frei Window Cleaning. I love helping out whenever I can and would enjoy the opportunity to work with FPAC to help our school!

Crystal Coronado
Hi, my name is Crystal Coronado. I'm a 27year old mom of two beautiful children. I have been married for 7 years and one of my little ones attends school here. I love children and I am always looking to share a helping hand. I am very creative and would love to be more involved in promoting and seeing our school flourish as well as our children's education. I am a firm believer that school should be a place where learning can be fun. Let's go Jaguars!

Katie Hastings
My name is Katie Hastings. I am a wife and mother to four boys, three of which will be at Benjamin Franklin for the 2017-2018 school year. My husband Scott and I have been married 10 years, he owns a small business in Gilbert. Our oldest son is seven years old, our twins are five years, and our youngest is two years. I enjoy running, movies, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and Dr. Pepper!
I am a pediatric nurse and have been for nine years, actively involved in the health community for Gilbert and Phoenix area children. My specialty Focuses on children born with chronic heart or lung defects, working in areas of corrective and preventative care with these children from birth to two years. I currently work seasonally, enjoying my summers off with my family as I manage an RSV clinic for Los Ninos Hospital, during RSV season when children in the valley are prone to contracting RSV. I love being a nurse and have worked in oncology, hospice, PICU, acute care, long term care, and home health.
I have experience in management and budgeting as a charge nurse and assistant director of nursing in prior work positions. I am happy to volunteer in whatever area needed for the school.
Education is important to me. My family has been so pleased with the primary education our oldest son has received at BFCS. As such, I would love to get more involved in the FPAC and helping the school meet the needs of its children. I look forward to hearing from you.

Linda Wheeler
Hello Jaguar families!  My name is Linda Wheeler and I am up for re-election onto the Franklin Parent Advisory Council (FPAC) Board.  During my term on the Board, I have been a Board member, held the office of Secretary and I am currently serving as the FPAC President.  I have done Art and Music Masterpiece in the classroom, helped at FPAC run/sponsored events, and have even been known to decorate doors for teachers!  I enjoy being involved with my children’s school!
I have 3 children, 2 of whom are here at the Gilbert campus, and the eldest has gone through the Gilbert campus and is currently in 8th grade at Benjamin Franklin Junior High/High School (where I am also the orchestra booster.)
I am a small business owner, running my business out of my home.  I love what I do in my business, so working doesn’t feel like work- just fun!
I am also a karate enthusiast!  I have earned the rank of 2nd grade black belt, and will be testing for my 1st degree black belt this Fall.  In fact, the entire family (husband, the 3 kids and myself) all participate in karate.  It’s one way we like to spend time with each other!  The family that kicks together sticks together!  LOL
Before children, I earned my BS in Marketing, Business Management and my MBA in Global Management.  I worked in the Corporate Communications/Marketing Department of an international broker/dealer.