Executive Board

• Maria Allen, President

Maria is pleased to continue her service on the Breton PTA Board and looks forward to working with the many wonderful teachers and families at Breton. She is married to Steve and they have three children, Jaret (7th grade), Kyra (4th grade) and Alexandra (2nd grade). They are life-long Grand Rapids residents; Steve graduated from East Grand Rapids High School and Maria from Catholic Central. Before staying home to raise their children Maria worked for Kent County as the Community Corrections Manager and coached volleyball for 9 years at EGR High School. Some of Maria’s previous volunteer opportunities include Treasurer of Mayflower Preschool Council, Hurrah! Committee, St. Stephen Religious Education teacher, and the Breton Holiday Workshop, Variety Show, and PTA Vice-President. She also enjoys watching her children participate in their co-curricular activities, spending time with family and friends, golfing, and her bible study group. Steve and Maria enjoy being Breton parents mainly because of the amazing staff and families they have been able to meet and know.

• Allison White, Vice President

Allison is excited and honored to serve on the Breton PTA Executive Board after several years of involvement in various PTA and school activities.  After graduating from East Grand Rapids High School, she attended Vanderbilt University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.   After working in the financial district in Boston for a few years, she returned to Michigan and received her Masters in Education from Aquinas College.  Allison taught 4^th grade, in Caledonia, Michigan, for several years before she and her husband began their family.  She has been married to her husband, Mark, for eleven years and they have two children, Grant (3^rd grade) and Mitchell (1^st grade).  Allison and her family enjoy traveling, golf, skiing, boating, and spending time with friends and family.  Mark and Allison are appreciative of the wonderful staff and families that make Breton Downs Elementary School such a terrific place to learn.  She is looking forward to her involvement on the PTA Executive Board next year. 

• Colleen Smith, Treasurer

Colleen grew up in Grand Rapids and attended Catholic Central High School. She attended Michigan State University and Grand Valley State University, graduating with a degree in international relations. Currently, Colleen works part-time in tax preparation for a local accounting firm. Her husband, Bob and she have been married for 14 years and have three kids - Connor (11), Erin (8) and Brody (2). When she not working or volunteering, she enjoys playing tennis and spending time with my family. Colleen is looking forward to serving again on the PTA Executive Board next year.

• Ann Sheridan, Assistant Treasurer.

Ann grew  up in West Michigan and attended Michigan State University where she met her husband, Tim.  She graduated with  a degree in marketing from MSU's College of Business. After graduating , Ann worked in convention/meeting planning and marketing for 11 years in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Grand Rapids.  Ann and Tim have been residents of East Grand Rapids for 10 years.  They have four children:  Margaret (6th grade), Jack (3rd grade), Kate (1st grade) and Elizabeth (1st grade). Ann enjoys volunteering at school, church, exercising, sports, and spending time with family and friends.  Ann is looking forward to serving on the PTA Executive Committee next year.

• Gwen Barnes, Recording Secretary

Gwen grew up in East Grand Rapids and has a B.S. from Kenyon College and a Masters in education from Vanderbilt University.  Gwen taught eighth grade in Atlanta, Georgia for many years before moving back to East Grand Rapids with her husband Tony.  They have three sons, Michael (11), Daniel (6), and John (3).  Gwen’s volunteer work includes serving on the board of the Humane Society of Kent County, tutoring at St. John’s Home, and working in the classrooms at Breton.  Gwen is eager to join the PTA executive board next year. 

• Sue Keil, Corresponding Secretary

Sue grew up in the Detroit suburbs and received a Bachelor's degree in education from the University of Michigan and a Master's degree in special education from Eastern Michigan University. She taught elementary and middle school students for eight years. Sue and her husband Mike moved to East Grand Rapids 9 years ago and they have three children; Ben (10), Drew (7), and Ryan (2). Besides spending time with her family and friends, she enjoys walking, reading, skiing, and tennis. She has volunteered as a room parent, with yearbook, Junior Great Books, running club and other PTA activities. Sue is looking forward to serving on the PTA board next year to help provide programs and opportunities for Breton students and to support our teachers with educating our children.

Executive Board 2010/11

President:                                Rachel Haulenbeek                 977-6292                 haulenbeek@supportdept.com

Vice President                         Maria Allen                              940-4527                 allen.smjka@yahoo.com

Recording Secretary               Kim Hoekstra                           975-1056                 khoekstra73@gmail.com

Corresponding Secretary        Mari Persons                           949-8958                 vmmkpersons@comcast.net

Treasurer                                Jennifer Coles                         942-0132                 jbcoleslaw@yahoo.com

Assistant Treasurer                 Colleen Smith                          957-0656                 cmalsmith@sbcglobal.net

Past President                         Jennifer McMahon                  464-6116                 mcmahon.jennifer4@gmail.com

Breton Emergency Phone Tree 09/10 (DOC 25 KB)

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