Mitchell Elementary PTA Executive Board

Get to know your PTA Executive Board Members

Jeff Pegler

President

Jeff Pegler is the father of Ian Pegler and Blake Pegler, who are students at Mitchell, and the husband of Jennifer Pegler, who was an ESE teacher at Mitchell from 2002-2007, and returned as a teacher in 2013. Jeff is currently Corporate Counsel at Shriners Hospitals for Children. Jeff and Jen lived in Vero Beach, Florida, from 2007-2013. While in Vero, Jeff was elected to the Indian River County School Board and served from 2010-2013. He was also the Director of Contracts & Purchasing for the School District of Osceola County. Jeff grew up in Tampa and received his B.A. from Cornell University and his law degree from the University of Florida.

Alisha Stephens

President Elect

I am the grateful mom of twin girls, Paige & Savannah (2nd grade). My husband, Chris, and I are both Florida natives and University of Florida graduates. After college we lived in Washington D.C. for 4 years before moving to Tampa. I worked in the finance industry before becoming a stay-at-home mom. I am excited to serve as the President Elect this year. I enjoy spending my time doing almost anything outdoors (especially fishing, hiking, biking and reading).

Merris Pope

VP Ways & Means

I’m excited to be the new VP of Means and Ways for the 2017-2018 school year! My daughter, Avery, is in third grade and my son, Miles, is a future Mitchell bobcat. I’m a Tampa native and I graduated from Plant high school and then Florida State University. I was a professional ballet dancer for many years before becoming a mom, and I’m currently the managing editor for our local Hulafrog- a website that features all of the awesome kid-friendly businesses and events around South Tampa. My husband, Ned and I love being a part of the Mitchell community!

Kelly Verra

VP Volunteers & Membership

I am the mother of Caine, a second grader, and Cameron, who is entering kindergarten this year, as well as a bonus mom to twin sophomores at Plant High School. I grew up attending Hillsborough County Schools and earned my degree at Florida Southern College. Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, I worked in television production at HSN. I also enjoy serving on the board of the Mitchell Elementary Foundation. I believe in Mitchell and Public Education and love giving back to this wonderful community!

Graeme Fraser

Treasurer

Graeme is the father of Cord (2nd). He was raised in Tampa and attended Mitchell for Elementary School. After graduating from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC he spent several years working in Charlotte, NC, and Miami, FL, before he and his wife Staci moved back to Tampa in 2005. Graeme is a Partner in a Commercial Real Estate Investment/Development Group. He is an active member of the community and currently holds leadership rolls Past President of Champions for Children’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Executive Board of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council Boy Scouts of America. He has previously held Executive Committee positions on the Board of the Economic Club of Tampa, Children’s Cancer Center and Tampa School Development Corporation.

Melissa Dempsey

Recording Secretary

My husband Kevin and I have lived in south Tampa since 2009 and have two daughters-Sienna, who will be an incoming first grader and Giuliana, who is 4 years old (she cannot wait to be a Bobcat for the 2019/2020 school year)! After graduating from Florida State University, I spent over a decade in the Florida political arena as a political consultant/lobbyist and candidate fundraiser and loved every minute of it. After both of my girls were born, I decided to stay home with them and have found that to be equally as busy, yet extremely rewarding. I enjoyed serving on the Planning committee for the 2018 Bobcat Bash and look forward becoming even more involved with this incredible event in the coming years. I will be co-chairing the Men’s Bobcat Breakfast for this school year and cannot wait to honor the special men in our children’s lives with this event. I’m truly thrilled to be part of the Mitchell family and am looking forward to serving our students and teachers as part of the PTA board.

Amber Kuhn

Corresponding Secretary

I am honored to serve as the new Corresponding Secretary for the Mitchell PTA! I am mom to Sawyer (3^rd grade) and Memphis (1^st grade) as well as a future Mitchell Bobcat arriving in August. My husband, Brandon, and I grew up in Florida and are both proud University of Florida graduates. After receiving my B.A. in Business I spent a few years in Atlanta working and earning an MBA at Georgia State University before moving back to Tampa. I have a background in business and marketing and most recently served as the Director for a local nonprofit organization. In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling and spending time with family.

PTA Board 2018-2019

Family Events
Bookaneer Literacy Week: Lara Dickerson
Fall Festival: Padgett Holloman & Alisha Moralejo
Family Art Night: Cindy Sershen
Heritage Night: Sara Moore
Movie Night: Shea Alvarez

Fundraising
Box Tops: Amber Godsey
Fun Run: Wendy Martin & Michele Foster

Hospitality
Meet the Teacher: Andi Bennett
Bobcat Breakfast: Nicole Mulrooney
New Family Welcome Liaison: Catie Witherspoon
Open House / Marketing: Kathy Hill
Tears & Cheers Breakfast: Elizabeth Vocke

PTA Support
After School Enrichment: Michele Foster & Jennifer Pegler
Communications
Bobcat Blast: Amber Delgado-Kuhn, Jenn Grabill, & Christiana Thompson
Facebook Page: Debra Bellanti, Amber Delgado-Kuhn, & Christiana Thompson
Online Directory: Dee Dee Bland
PTA Website: Alisha Stephens
Homeroom Parent Coordinator: Meg Fields
Historian: Deb Sledge
Student & Teacher Advocacy Committee (STAC): Becky Ferrell-Anton & Alisha Stephens
Membership: Heidi Dingfelder
Mileage Club: Bill Bland
School of Excellence: Deb Sledge
Staff Liaison: Kathy Hill
Spirit Store: Elyse Swigart
Uniform Exchange: Katie Maddux, Eve Gloede, & Emma Boulware
Foundation Liaison: Kelly Verra

School Wide Events
Community Outreach
Mitchell families: Tina Boyer & Jenn Grabill
Dunbar families: Laura Zaremba
Teacher Appreciation Week: Jen Cordeau
Media Center / Book Fair: Jen Carmato
Walk/Bike to School Day: Jackie Clements-Pliskin

Student Enrichment
Bobcat Buddies: Catie Witherspoon & Casey Nolan
Reading is Fundamental (RIF): Allison Shamblin

5th Grade Events
Chairs: Myra Denman, Becky Ferrell-Anton, Wendy Lynch & Cindy Sershen