PTO Executive Board
The Sierra PTO is a non-profit all-volunteer organization of parents, teachers, and staff members interested in supporting Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School. There are no membership dues and no secret handshakes required – just a willingness to work with others to help better our school.
Bree Howes
Co-President
We are going into our 3rd year at Sierra, we will have 2 boys here this year, Ethan is in 2nd grade and Finn will be in Kindergarten. We originally chose Sierra because it is our neighborhood school but we have stayed because of the amazing and supportive staff, teachers and community. I joined the PTO board to be a voice for other parents and to be part of our son's educational journey. One day their faces won't light up when they see me at the school, so I want to take full advantage of it while they're young!!
Dena Lock
Co-President
I am so thankful to be a part of the Sierra Community. I love that my family has the opportunity to be surrounded by such an amazing group of teachers, staff, and families. I chose Sierra for my kids to have a well-rounded school experience. I've always wanted my kids to experience a small community feeling like I did growing up, and we found it here at Sierra! My family (my husband Adam, Addie Mae- first grade and Noah- 3rd grade) has made some lovely friendships over the years at Sierra and are excited to make new friends!
Courtney Samples
Financial Admin
I joined the PTO Board to be a bigger part of the Sierra Community. Plus, who doesn't love Finance? It was literally the perfect opportunity. There's so much going on at Sierra and I absolutely love helping and being a part of that; I love that Sierra has so much going on and provides such a great community to meet great parents and new friends. My daughter has loved being a part of this school and I love being a part of her school day.
Nicole Schock
Treasurer
My name is Nicole Schock and I am the Treasurer. This is my second year on the PTO board and my first year in this position. My husband Colton and I have three kids; Henley is in fourth grade, Carter is in first grade, and Torin is in kindergarten. I am so excited to have all three of my kiddos at Sierra this year! I'm looking forward to a great year!
Shannon Allen
Co-Secretary
My name Shannon Allen, I'm married to Josh Allen. We have 4 kids- Brandon- 7th grade @ VC, Rylann- 5th grade and Twins: Annsley & Elianna 2nd grade. We’ve had the tremendous blessing of being a part of Sierra for 7 years and are so grateful to have a top notch elementary school so close to home! We love how family & community oriented it is. Our kids have thrived here and the staff and teachers are truly amazing. These foundational years are priceless and fleeting, so I am thankful for opportunities to serve in our kid's classrooms, at school events, and be part of such a wonderful PTO!
Jennifer Zibelman
Co-Secretary
Hello all, I am looking forward to my 2nd year on the PTO and 4th year at Sierra. My son Phillip is going into 4th grade this coming year. I am a 4th generation Arizonian and I have all my immediate family nearby. I grew up and still love to swim and dance. I grew up in Glendale, went to college at ASU where I graduated with a degree in Marketing as well as Supply Chain Management. I've been in the supplemental coverage and life insurance world for about 20 years now. We have lived in Ahwatukee for 17 years. I love Sierra because it does give that small close knit feel and I feel the teachers do care about the children. I choose to be on the PTO to stay involved in what's going on at the school and I look forward to building some strong bonds with the other pto parents.
Megan Ahmed
Co-Communications
I am Megan Ahmed. My kids are Noah in the community preschool program, Maya in 1st grade, and Zane in 3rd grade. We were originally attracted to Sierra as I am a Kyrene alumni myself and Sierra has had consistently high ratings/rankings and were located close to the house. We have stayed at Sierra based on how much extra support the students receive from the staff there. I joined the PTO board when Zane entered 1st grade as COVID illustrated how fast kids grow up and I wanted the opportunity to be involved in their childhood before they grow too much.
Pamela Grierson
Co-Communications
I am Pamela Grierson, married to Donovan and we have three boys, Andrew, Zaccary and Lincoln. Lincoln is in first grade at Sierra. I joined the PTO Board to give back to the school and students. I love that Sierra has amazing teachers and staff and that the PTO is so active. I am excited to meet new families this year, serve on the PTO board and to co-chair the book fair.
Danielle Taylor
Co-Volunteer Coordinator
We are the Taylor Family. We moved to Arizona 2 years ago from Michigan. Lily is in 2nd grade and loves to dance. Liam is in Kindergarten and is a huge Spiderman fan. My husband, Zach, loves to golf and watch Michigan football. My name is Danielle. I recently transitioned from a Stay At Home Mom to working in Human Resources. I love to read and in my free time. I’m excited to be apart of the PTO Board to meet more families and be more hands/involved with the school. Looking forward to a great year at Sierra!
Rachelle Brost
Co-Volunteer Coordinator
This is my first year as a member of the PTO. My husband and I moved from the Midwest to Ahwatukee 4 years ago and have fallen in love with it. We have three beautiful daughters and two wild and crazy dogs. We all enjoy swimming, exploring the outdoors and family movie nights. We are avid KU fans, Rock Chalk Jayhawk! We chose Sierra because it is within walking distance of our house. We knew we wanted our kids to go to school with their neighbors and wanted that small-town community feel. We have fallen in love with the teachers and staff at Sierra. I chose to be on the PTO board for multiple reasons. I want to meet and form relationships with other parents at Sierra; I would like the opportunity to help the teachers and staff; and lastly because I am looking forward to assisting with creating fun memories and events for the students, staff, and families at Sierra. We have Mackenzie (1st Grade), Zoe (1st Grade) and Shea (2 years old).
Shanice Johnson
Yearbook
Rachel Evans
Co-Hospitality
I’m co hospitality for the PTO. I’ve lived in the area since January 2018 and have loved the community at Sierra! My husband Steve and I have been married 12 years, my son Alexander is in 3rd grade and my daughter Libby is in preK at Gods Garden. I am so excited to continue on the board and help serve this amazing school.
Sarah Briscoe
Co-Hospitality
Hi, I am Sarah Briscoe, my son Camden will be in 1st grade. I also have a daughter, Olive who is in PreK at God’s Garden and my husband is Jordan. We moved to Ahwatukee from Oregon 5 years ago and have not looked back, we love it here! I am very excited to be joining the PTO this year as your co-hospitality coordinator. We love Sierra and I am excited to be more involved in helping to make our school an amazing place for our kids!
Committee Chairs
Committee chairs are being updated and will be posted shortly. Stay tuned!
Watch D.O.G.S.
WATCH D.O.G.S.®(Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative program used by schools across America to help students be positively impacted by the committed involvement of fathers and father-figures in their student’s life. Our goal is to have fathers or father-figures spend at least one day this year at the school to be a positive male role model and to provide an extra set of eyes and ears. For more information about this program visit www.fathers.com/watchdogs. And, for more information about the program at Sierra, please contact WatchDOGS@sierrapto.org.