News Releases
January Volunteer of the Month:
Mary Mottonen, Thomas Jefferson PTA
“Mary Mottonen is a role model to incoming parents of what a true partnership between the school and the home entails,” said her nominator. With five children who have attended or currently are attending Thomas Jefferson School, Mary has become deeply involved in the school. She is now in her twelfth year of volunteering, and her youngest child is only in kindergarten!
As a Thomas Jefferson PTA member who likes hands-on involvement, Mary has chaired or worked on a number of committees. This year and last, she’s headed the hospitality committee which is responsible for various activities including the room rep luncheon, “Daybreak with Dad” and “Munchies with Mom,” teacher appreciation week, and others. She’s been involved in the book fair, the walk-a-thon, and fundraising, been a room mother for at least seven years, helped with kindergym, worked in kindergarten centers, led a PTA-sponsored reading program called “Adventures in Reading,” and for 12 years, chaired TJ Publishing House, helping kids create their own books. She’s also assisted teachers through the school’s PAT (Parents Assisting Teachers) program as well as in other ways. “She’s always ready to help,” her nominator noted. “You can always find her volunteering anytime anyone needs anything.”
Mary grew up in Arlington Heights, attending Our Lady of the Wayside and Rolling Meadows High School. She earned a B.S. from Saint Mary of the Woods College in Indiana in social work, pre-law, and psychology with a minor in elementary education. After graduation, she worked as a computer system troubleshooter before marrying and starting a family. Mary and her husband Scott are parents of Melissa, 16, and Michael, 14, both students at Fremd High School; and three Thomas Jefferson students, Michelle, 11, a fifth grader; Meredith, 9, a fourth grader; and Matthew, 5, who’s in kindergarten. Mary also cares for Alexa Kennedy, daughter of Thomas Jefferson teacher Alessandra Kennedy, and considers Alexa part of her family. For the past 11 years, Mary has taught a faith class in her home through Holy Family Church. She and her family have been fostering dogs through A and S Rescue for a year. In her rare leisure time, Mary enjoys running and working out.
“Mary has done so much for our students and the staff over these years,” her nominator said. “Her friendly personality and willingness to help make her a valuable contributor to our school and its success.”
Mary will be recognized at the January 11, 2006, Board of Education meeting, to be held at Walter R. Sundling Junior High School, at 7 p.m.
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