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Who We Are
The ALA PTSA partners with families, students, educators, and the community to support a transformative learning environment. We are committed to building strong connections, advocating for student success, and enriching student's educational journeys through collaboration, innovation, and inclusive engagement.
Our group goes beyond parents, teachers, and students to include grandparents, community members, friends, extended family, etc. Everyone is welcome to join us! Click here to join.
Join the Board for 2026-27!
Join the Board for 2026-27!
Want to make a real difference at ALA? Consider joining the PTSA Board next year! Being on the board is a great way to have a direct impact on your child’s school experience - and the time commitment is flexible and truly fits whatever availability you have. Whether you can help a little or a lot, there’s a place for you. The more active parents & family members involved, the more we can do!
Next year, we’re excited to explore:
✨ Sponsoring new and engaging programs like science demonstrations, robotics workshops, and nature‑based learning
🏫 Increasing our impact and support on the upper campus
🤝 Growing PTSA membership and increasing teacher involvement
…and more ideas driven by our school community!
If you care about our campus, enjoy collaborating, or just want to help make school even better for our kids, we’d love to have you join us.
ALA PTSA 2025-26 Board
ALA PTSA 2025-26 Board
President: Megan Shaver Rivera | president@alaptsa.org
Responsible for running and managing all aspects of PTSA.
Vice President: Mercedes Oettinger | vicepresident@alaptsa.org
Assists the president with running the PTSA, steps in to lead as needed.
Membership: Tina Scott | membership@alaptsa.org
Leads efforts to grow PTSA membership and plans events to build community.
Fundraising: Cori Cabello | fundraising@alaptsa.org
Leads planning and execution of fundraising events, coordinates volunteers.
Programs: Kate Warters | programs@alaptsa.org
Leads planning and execution of sponsored school programming & special events.
Secretary: Natasha Benko | secretary@alaptsa.org
Manages all paperwork for PTSA, records meeting minutes, takes notes at events & fundraisers.
Treasurer: Anita Martinez | treasurer@alaptsa.org
Manages PTSA finances and presents reports at meetings, issues checks or refunds.
Parliamentarian: Krystal O'Brien
Helps PTSA meetings run smoothly and fairly by guiding us on bylaws and basic meeting procedures.
ALA quick links
ALA Campus information
Advanced Learning Academy (ALA), founded in 2016, is a preK-12 SAISD choice school. It is located between two campuses. ALA offers unique learning experiences with an emphasis on project based learning, outdoor play, and social and emotional learning. As a SAISD Choice School, enrollment is open all students within the city, regardless of district. More information can be found at ALA's homepage.
ALA Primary
ALA Primary
ALA Primary serves children from PreK - 3rd grade. 2025 will be the first year at the Nelson campus while Euclid is being renovated.
Principal: Ms. Barber
1014 Waverly Ave. | San Antonio, TX 78201
Phone: (210) 738-9760
ALA Tech
ALA Tech
ALA Tech serves children from 4th - 12 grades. ALA shares a campus with Fox Tech HS and CAST.
Principal: Ms. Cash
637 N. Main Avenue | San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 738-9763
Q&A
Q: Is it PTA or PTSA or what?
A: Yes, we use these acronyms interchangeably. PTA = Parent Teacher Association. PTSA = Parent Teacher Student Association. Both fall under the National PTA and Texas PTA and both offer membership to all adults. (You don't have to be a teacher or a parent.) The difference is that a PTSA also offers a student membership.
Q: Is this just a social group for parents?
A: No. PTA (and PTSA) is an advocacy group that supports children. We do work together (and socialize) to build school community and to achieve our goals.
Q: If I join, are you going to expect me to volunteer?
A: No. Becoming a member is the easiest way to show your support and there is no obligation to volunteer.
Q: Are you taking resources away from a club?
A: No. While some parents choose to give to grassroots fundraising, many people have thanked us because they only feel comfortable giving to a registered 501(c)(3).
Q: When I donate to you, where does the money go?
A: 100% goes directly to supporting ALA-PTSA. All board members are unpaid volunteers. When you join, a portion of the membership fee goes TxPTA and to National PTA.
Q: I was told that you cannot carry money over from one fiscal year to the next; is that true?
A: There is no established minimum or maximum amount that should (or shouldn't) be carried over. Some PTAs choose to add a maximum carry over amount to their bylaws; ALA-PTSA does not have this restriction.
Q: Why donate to the school via ALA PTSA?
A: ALA PTSA offers:
Transparency. Every dollar is tracked and reported.
Members' choice. The budget is determined by the members (within the boundaries of the National PTA and maintaining non-profit status with the IRS.)
Schools with PTAs have higher graduation rates, higher test scores than prior to having a PTA, increased volunteerism, and increased support from the community.
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