Sponsors

What is PATS?

 

Parents and Teachers at Simis (PATS) exist to develop and enrich student educational achievement by supporting our community of students, parents and staff at Madison Simis Elementary. There are no fees to join. If you are a parent or guardian of a student at Simis, you are a part of PATS! 

 

How we accomplish our mission:

  • PATS serves to both foster and preserve a strong relationship between parents, teachers and administrators at Simis.

  • PATS raises funds to provide resources and support programs that are not funded through Simis or Madison District budget.

  • PATS provides opportunities for parents and staff to work together and maintain direct communication.

  • Our success is measured by student achievement as well as parent and teacher satisfaction.

Questions? Contact our President, Claudine M. Wessel, at president@simispats.org.

 

2023 - 2024 PATS EXECUTIVE BOARD 

 

CLAUDINE M. WESSEL

PRESIDENT

president@simispats.org

Claudine's daily activities include working for a global technology company, volunteering for PATS and leading her daughters' Girl Scout Troop. Married to Kelly, together they are parents to Simis students, Liddie (4th grade) and Rory (1st Grade). Claudine is passionate about food, wine, social justice, music and much more. 

 

 

   

RACHEL SALKIN

PRESIDENT-ELECT

presidentelect@simispats.org 

Rachel is mom to Jackson & Harper, twins in 4th grade, and Logan in kinder. If it's not mom life she is immersed in all day, you can find her dabbling in real estate, immersed in the strategy of non-profit work or on a pilates reformer. She spent her career working alongside her husband running a B2B marketing agency, while also launching a software startup. She loves sports, live music and indulging in the local culinary scene!

 

 

AMY CZYZ

VICE PRESIDENT, FUNDRAISING

vpelect@simispats.org

This is Amy's second year on the PATS board and she is excited to lead the fundraising team through another successful year. Amy has two boys that go to Simis - her oldest, Maxwell is in 4th grade and Benny is a 1st grader. Amy enjoys volunteering in the classroom when she can as she is an ex-head start preschool teacher. Amy loves traveling with her husband Chris, and spending summers in Minnesota with family.

 

 

 

JOURDAN PARKER

VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT, FUNDRAISING

fundraising@simispats.org 

This is Jourdan's first year on the PATS board, and she is excited to learn all things fundraising. Jourdan has two kids at Simis - Cash, who is in second grade, and Presley, a kindergartner. In addition to volunteering at the school, she is an attorney and works part time in criminal law.   

 

TANAYA DEMPSEY

VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY EVENTS

events@simispats.org

This is Tanaya's first year with the PATS Board, and she is excited to be part of the team. She is a self-proclaimed "Boy mom" to a 1st grader at Simis and a preschooler at Rose Lane. She loves to attend concerts, she performs and takes improv classes and is a true crime junkie. Tanaya loves to listen to podcasts and has a raucous and infectious laugh!
 

 

 

 

 

ERIN HART

TREASURER - ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

treasurer.ap@simispats.org

This is Erin's third year on the PATS Board. In her day job, Erin works in education policy, where she works to ensure all kids receive an excellent education. She also has 11 years of experience in nonprofit management. Erin is the mom of a 4th grader and loves sports (especially baseball), photography and baking.

 

 

 

 

BRIAN COSPER

TREASURER – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

treasurer.ar@simispats.org

Brian has two kids at Simis, one entering 4th grade and the other entering 1st grade. When time allows, Brian loves hiking, camping and traveling with his amazing wife Jennifer and kids. But mostly he can be found at various kid activities or enjoying a meal out in north central.

 

 

JESSICA LYON

VICE PRESIDENT, VOLUNTEER COORDINATION

volunteers@simispats.org

This is Jessica’s first year on the PATS board. She and her husband, Matt, have two Simis students, Ainsley (4th grade) and Luke (Kindergarten). Jessica loves volunteering and is excited to support the Simis community by helping parents find the perfect volunteer opportunity for them. Jessica has 12 years of non-profit fundraising experience and works for a public accounting firm. In her spare time, she loves cooking, wine, skiing and traveling.

KERRI O'CONNOR-CANONICA

VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS / SECRETARY

communications@simispats.org

This is Kerri's first year with the PATS Board, and she's excited to be joining the team! She and her husband, Bill, have a daughter, Adeline, who is a Kindergartener at Simis this year. Kerri comes with a background in non-profit sector fundraising as well as experience from the classroom. A former IB teacher herself, Kerri now spends her day working for a global technology company. In addition to volunteering, she loves spending time with family, sports, traveling, baking and reading.

 

RITA ATKINSON

TEACHER REPRESENTATIVE

teachers@simispats.org

We are thrilled to have Ms. Rita Atkinson join our board as Teacher Representative. This is Ms. Atkinson's 18th year teaching first grade at Madison Simis and is an alumni herself of both Simis and Meadows! In her spare time she can often be found with her nieces and nephews, reading, or spending time with friends.

 

ROXANNE LITTLE

SOCIAL WORKER LIAISON

rlittle@madisoned.org | 602-664-7348

We are excited to have Roxanne Little joining the PATS Executive Board this year to find ways to better support students, families, and caregivers. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling to tropical places, hockey, football, the beach, and trying new restaurants/foods.