Volunteer Spotlight: Donna Troka

We're excited to celebrate National Volunteer Week this month (April 20-26) with a special volunteer feature on our LRES PTA blog! Which volunteer has been asked by students if she works at LRES because they have seen her at school doing so many different things? Donna Troka!

She's been a PTA member and a volunteer since her 4th grader, Felix, was in Pre-K. She's dabbled in a variety of committees and volunteering opportunities and is happy to connect if you want to engage in big or small ways. There is an opportunity for everyone! Learn more below:

1. How long have you been involved with the PTA at Laurel Ridge?

I think I joined when Felix started at LRES, which would be Fall 2019 for Pre-K. Now Felix is in 4th grade.

2. What do you love most about Laurel Ridge?

OMGosh, I love the community. I love all the teachers and staff and students and parents. I love how diverse (based on race, class, language, ability, etc.) and caring the community is.

3. What has your volunteering support looked like at Laurel Ridge (for example-penny bowl counting, nominating committees, etc.)? Well, I kind of get around. I started out as the co-chair of Family Engagement and did that for two years. I am still the co-chair of the DEI Committee. And then I sometimes help out with packing backpacks on Fridays, I have helped with receiving or setting up food for Staff Engagement, I make copies if I have time, and I am presently serving on the Student Assignment Program (SAP). Oh, I am also the chair of the Nominating Committee. Oh, I am also a room parent. I am ridiculous.

4. What do you want parents and caregivers to know about volunteering or getting involved with the PTA? What about students? For parents I would say: Please help out if you can, it is so much fun and so rewarding. Seriously, just last week I packed backpacks with some new folks and it was so great and we got done quick because we were such a great team. And then I asked for help making heritage month banners and two moms stepped up immediately and designed them and all I had to do was order the banners. I would also say that ALL KINDS of parents/caregivers participating is so important: moms, dads, babas, grammas, people of color, white people, people whose first language is English and people whose third language is English, people with and without disabilities, and so on. Our student body is so diverse so it is SO GREAT when we see that diversity reflected in PTA and in our volunteers. This is everyone's work and it is SO COOL to get to see your kiddo doing their thing in their classroom.  As for the students, they notice when you are there. Last month I was at the Shamrock Publix just buying some groceries and a sweet kid in front of me said "Do you work at Laurel Ridge?" and I cackled and said "No, I just volunteer there. I am Felix's mom." Additionally, I volunteered at the Valentine's Day party in Felix's class this year along with a mom who is a Spanish speaker and it was so cool to watch her chat with the Spanish speaking kids during the party and it was cool to see them light up when they heard her speaking Spanish.

5. Can you share a favorite moment volunteering with the PTA? Any fun talents or things you've discovered about yourself through volunteering?

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE International Night. It is, by far, my favorite event at LRES. I love eating the food, obviously, but I also love engaging with folks about their culture, seeing kids and parents get excited to talk about their cultures, and seeing folks be so engaged. Last year we put together a scavenger hunt and if kids completed it they got some candy from around the world and they went BONKERS. And then we also served a bunch of fruit from around the world and the kids ate it up (literally and figuratively). For me, that event embodies what is great about Laurel Ridge, when we come together to love and support one another (while eating really delicious food and learning new things). I have discovered I am great at not only embarrassing my own kid, but his friends as well. WIN WIN.

6. What is your favorite children's book or movie? When Felix was younger we really loved Zoey and Sassafras and the Miya Mayhem series. For the last few years I gave out all the Wild Robot books for birthday presents because I loved reading them so much, and this year our whole family is into the City Spies series.

Favorite kids movie? I love "SING," because I love singing and dancing.  I thought "Inside Out" was really smart and important. And I could watch "Bluey" or "Puffin Rock" all day. So good. And Felix has gotten me into "Loud House" which is pretty hilarious.

7. What is your favorite place to eat near Laurel Ridge? We love Taqueria Del Sol, Farm Burger, Chai Pani, and Wheelhouse. We eat out way too much.

8. Is there anything else you want to share with folks? I believe that just about everyone in the community can find a way to contribute to PTA or to volunteer in some way that supports the school. Don't have the kind of job that allows for you to come to school during work hours? Maybe you can volunteer at the mobile food drive or design a banner on the weekend or pick up some extra BOGO canned goods for Care Closet/backpacks. Don't have a lot of money because everything costs one million dollars now? Maybe you can come and help run a class party, or help set up for Loved Ones breakfast or International Night. Are you an introvert and/or don't really like people? Cool. Maybe you can audit the PTA books over summer or maybe you can laminate all the pictures we put up in the hallways for heritage months. Trust me, we can find something for you to do because there is so much work to be done. And I promise you, it is really fun. You get to meet new people, you get to build community, and you get to leave a legacy at Laurel Ridge. If you want to join, holler at me at donnatroka@gmail.com.