PTA...It's Not Just for Women

As Parental Involvement Chair, my goal is to find ways to get more parents involved in support of children and their education and to ensure that more men get involved.

There are over 6 million PTA members across the United States and abroad. Sadly only 10% of them are men. When asked why they don't join, men respond with "no one asked me" or "my wife is a PTA member and I can't do all the things she does for the school".

Men, I am personally inviting you to join PTA and take advantage of the Three for Me Program. I am asking for you to commit to 3 hours per year in your child's school. 180 minutes. That's all. Think of it this way, have you ever gone to dinner & a movie and been back in less than 180 minutes? Probably not.

How can you get involved? Volunteer before school and give high 5's to the students as they get off the bus. Be a cafeteria monitor in the mornings and engage with the students who are getting breakfast. Attend class parties or field trips. Read to your child's class. Helping your child with their homework. Going over study drills with them on weekends. The 180 minutes can be spent any way you choose.

Men, it's time we broke through the glass ceiling and let our communities know that PTA is not just for women. Share your ideas with me at parenting@vapta.org. I look forward to hearing how you spent your 180 minutes.