All members of the Massachusetts PTA Board of Directors are volunteers who are here to serve you and to work for children throughout Massachusetts and our country. Meet your Massachusetts PTA Board of Directors.
National Council of States Representative
Kathresha Cureton currently serves on the Massachusetts PTA Board of Directors, and as a member of the Health, Safety and Wellness Committee. Kathresha draws from experience with more than 15 years in Health and With over 8 years of leadership experience she has also been involved in working as a liaison with support for parents and students including school programs, education and advocating for children. She continues to advance her training by attending conferences, seminars and workshops on both health and educational topics; including her passion for the arts.Human Services, and earlier in her career, management, public affairs and outreach. She studied Psychology from the School of Social Behavioral Sciences at Mercy College and Art and Design from the School of Design at Pratt Institute. Active in the community, she served at the local level as a member on both Elementary and Middle School Councils; as the Middle/High School Vice President, PTA and Reflections Chair. She is a PTA Art Coordinator for the Hopkinton Elementary Schools, has volunteered in several other committees and civic leadership positions at every level. Her children attend Hopkinton School District. We are very pleased to have her join our Leadership Team at Massachusetts PTA. “Life is never so busy that there is no time to help others.”
Ashley is currently an education support professional in the Middleborough public school system. Previously she has assisted in creating a private kindergarten program where she specialized in diverse learning styles and opportunities. She is very passionate about making sure all students have an equitable education opportunity and works tirelessly to ensure that no child should be left behind for any reason. Ashley presently holds a vice president position at her local elementary school and has previously held leadership positions such as president and secretary, as well as chair and committee roles. During her time in the PTA, Ashley has strongly focused on creating a bond between the schools and the local community. She understands that collaborating with the community and bridging communication gaps are a critical step in the success of all children’s futures.
- National PTA Field Service Committee - States Bylaws Subcommittee
- MA PTA Communications Team
- Past President 2014-2016
Stephanie Gray has served on the MA Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Board of Directors since 2010 beginning her time as the MA PTA Communications Chairman and moving into the role of President Elect, President, Immediate Past President and Cranberry Unit President, currently serving as MA PTA Communications Chair. She currently serves on the National PTA Field Services Committee and has also served on the National PTA Bylaws Committee. She assumed the role of President in July of 2014. As part of her role with MA PTA she serves as the Liaison to MassPartners for Public Schools, the 2018-2019 Chair, a coalition of the statewide teacher, parent, school committee, principal, and superintendent organizations in Massachusetts. Stephanie is a mother of 2 who began her PTA experience developing the Drama Club at her children’s elementary school where for 5 years she worked to ensure 120 children each year had the opportunity to participate and learn about the theater. After her mother-in-law passed in May of 2016 she realized that most families have no idea how to prepare for and handle loss, Stephanie put together her passion for helping people with her background in sales and marketing to become an agent through New York Life Insurance Company and may be licensed with various other independent unaffiliated insurance companies in the state of Massachusetts. Previously she worked for SMH Electronics as the Business Development Manager in West Wareham, MA. Before that she owned her own company working with small businesses to develop their online presence. Throughout her career in Marketing and as a Parent Advocate, Stephanie has done workshops and presentations on subjects ranging from Designing Routines for new parents to “Transitioning to EMR for the AHCA” for medical practices. She has also been part of a number of task-forces and panels with other educational organizations including the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Stephanie is passionate about the mission and goals of PTA and believes that it is our role as PTA leaders to not only ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their potential but to work with the whole family to educate and empower parents/guardians/care givers so they can be the best advocate for their child.
- National PTA Elections Committee
- Cranberry PTA President
- Membership Chair
National Council of States Representative, Karen is the proud adoptive mother of 2 boys and started her work in her local unit, Rehoboth PTSA, more than 15 years ago. She proudly served on many committees and held the offices of Rehoboth PTSA’s President, Secretary, Vice President (Palmer River and Beckwith) and Membership Chair. Passionate about her work at PTA, she has raised awareness for children with disabilities, adoptive children, children with special education needs, and those who “fall between the cracks”. With over 30 years of nursing experience, she currently works as a Nurse Case Manager and spends her weekends as a proud hockey mom. She is very excited to continue her work with Massachusetts PTA in this role, and continues to serve on many committees at the Massachusetts PTA and in her local community. Karen is passionate about advocating for all children, and believes strongly in PTA’s motto….”Every Child, One Voice.” Together let’s make a difference!!
Donna Grady is a 36 year veteran public school educator, currently teaching in a suburban Kindergarten. She has also worked in private Preschool and Kindergarten as well as in an International School.
Donna is an active local Union President as well as being active in both the Massachusetts and National Education Associations. Currently,
She is now serving as the Chair for the MA PTA Health, Safety and Wellness Committee, an area of interest she brings with her from her Union work with Safe Schools for All.
Donna is also a mom to two teenagers, both currently in High School.
Donna is familiar with the day to day needs of students, academically, emotionally, and healthfully, from both a parent and an educator perspective.
Samantha (Sam) Lewis who hails from the Patrick Lyndon school in Boston. She is a former PTA president and have been running the Reflections program at the Lyndon for the last four years and truly believes in the program being an important outlet for students to express themselves.
National Council of States Representative, Karen is the proud adoptive mother of 2 boys and started her work in her local unit, Rehoboth PTSA, more than 15 years ago. She proudly served on many committees and held the offices of Rehoboth PTSA’s President, Secretary, Vice President (Palmer River and Beckwith) and Membership Chair. Passionate about her work at PTA, she has raised awareness for children with disabilities, adoptive children, children with special education needs, and those who “fall between the cracks”. With over 30 years of nursing experience, she currently works as a Nurse Case Manager and spends her weekends as a proud hockey mom. She is very excited to continue her work with Massachusetts PTA in this role, and continues to serve on many committees at the Massachusetts PTA and in her local community. Karen is passionate about advocating for all children, and believes strongly in PTA’s motto….”Every Child, One Voice.” Together let’s make a difference!!
Past President 2010-2012
Mary Ann Stewart was appointed Parent Representative to the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education by (then) Governor Patrick in August 2014 and has been reappointed in 2019. From 2010-2012, she served as President of the Massachusetts PTA and continues to serve on the state PTA Board as a Member-at-Large. She also serves as a member of the National Advisory Council for Media Literacy Now.
Mary Ann is a parent of three and resides in Lexington. She has been active in the schools and in town government, serving as an elected representative to Town Meeting since 2006 and on the School Committee from 2009-2014 where she lead as Chair from 2011-2012.
Mary Ann has served in numerous leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. She is a champion of children, youth, and families, and her experience in organizational development and passion for advocacy and creativity has leveraged engagement in professional and volunteer settings alike. Mary Ann received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts for Music Education.
