Programs
PTA Ambassadors
A PTA National Ambassador is a champion for children. National Ambassadors for PTA support parent and family involvement in schools and serve as a voice for children and youth nationwide. Parent and family involvement drives the work of PTA. PTA recognizes that schools with well-structured, quality parent involvement programs experience profound benefits for students, parents, teachers, and overall school quality.
A PTA National Ambassador
- promotes the organization’s mission and goals;
- increases public awareness of the critical importance of parents’ involvement in children’s lives and education;
- promotes PTA as a resource for parents and families;
- and increases the visibility of PTA at public appearances and events.
More than a century ago, PTA was formed as a result of the hard work and far-reaching influence of some of the most accomplished women of the day. Over the decades community leaders, celebrities, legislators, and U.S. Presidents have lent their voices to PTA to make a difference for all children. They include: country group Alabama, "Cosby Kids" Tempestt Bledsoe and Malcolm Jamal Warner, Clifton Davis, Fred Rogers, Lee Iacocca, Linda Ellerbee, NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, Kathy Ireland, and recording artist CeCe Peniston.
Deloris Jordan
PTA's newest ambassador
Chris Draft
Draft will also serve as Honorary Chair of PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
Dara Torres
Information on PTA Ambassador Dara Torres, Olympic champion swimmer
Jessica Denay
Information on PTA Ambassador Jessica Denay, cofounder Hot Moms Club
Deloris Jordan
Belief in strong family values leads Deloris Jordan’s philanthropic efforts to reach out to underserved communities while partnering with national and internatPTA ambassadorional corporations to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Under her leadership, the James R. Jordan Foundation has launched a collaborative to build a new not for profit women and children’s medical facility in Nairobi Kenya. The new Wellness Centre will provide significant changes in a number of health areas, specifically HIV/AIDS treatment and gender violence recovery.
The Foundation’s A-Team Scholars program, gives underserved students the opportunity to earn money for college. Together with such partners as the Illinois State Treasurer’s office the Foundation is able to assist students on their journey toward higher education. To help parents give children their best, the Foundation has established a relationship with the National PTA. Both organizations hope to strengthen families and ensure high quality academic opportunities for children by serving as a conduit for greater parental involvement in urban and underserved school communities
Mrs. Jordan is the author of several books, including Family First, which highlights parenting principles; and three children’s books. In 2002 The Black Harvest Film Festival Board established the Deloris Jordan Humanitarian Award; and in 2005 she was presented the Clinton Global Initiative Award for her effort to build a hospital in Kenya. Together with our partners I try to make a difference and call out to others to do the same.
Chris Draft
The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is lining up with NFL linebacker and philanthropist, Chris Draft, who was announced as its newest National Ambassador at the 2009 PTA National Convention. He also participated in PTA’s Family Expo on June 27 in Ft. Lauderdale by leading two 30-minute ‘mini-football drills’ for parents and kids. The 12-year NFL veteran will spike parent involvement by empowering families to live healthy lifestyles.
“Being physically active with their children helps parents be involved in their lives and shows kids how important it is to live healthy lifestyles,” said Draft. “Studies have shown that children’s physical well-being has a significant effect on their learning and long-term success. When children are well-rested, well-nourished, and physically fit they are more ready to learn. This is a great opportunity for me to show parents how to get moving with their kids so that more children succeed.”
In his new role as a National PTA Ambassador, Draft will be the Honorary Chair of PTA’s Healthy Lifestyles Month (November) — a month when PTA’s plan creative events that promote healthy habits among students and families. Draft will visit schools throughout the Healthy Lifestyles Month to meet with families, talk directly with kids and present awards to PTAs for the most creative healthy lifestyle events during November.
Draft, who battles asthma daily, founded The Chris Draft Family Foundation in 2006. The Foundation focuses on educating families on the importance of physical fitness, nutrition, health maintenance, character education and healthy living conditions.
“I firmly believe that kids need parents and role models to show them the way to a healthy lifestyles. I hope that my Foundation and my partnership with PTA will help call attention to the growing epidemic of unhealthy children,” said Draft.
Draft will join millions of parents and educators to advocate for children, as well as to urge parents and other family members and caregivers to be more involved. Draft also joins National PTA’s other current Ambassadors in this campaign for kids. They include: Olympic Champion Dara Torres; Multi-platinum Billboard recording artist CeCe Peniston; and Hot Moms Club founder Jessica Denay. Draft also follows in the footsteps of dozens of community leaders, celebrities, legislators, and U.S. Presidents, all of whom have lent their voices and support to National PTA to make a difference in the lives of children.
About Chris Draft
Chris Draft, a professional football player currently with the Buffalo Bills, is a 12-year veteran in the NFL. Draft founded The Chris Draft Family Foundation in 2006 with a goal of strengthening communities by empowering families to live healthy lifestyles. Draft, who battles asthma daily, works directly with National and Local chapters of the American Lung Association to raise asthma awareness. He also has joined forces with the community organizations represented at “Draft Family Fitness Day” the Foundation’s signature event, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The American Lung Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, HOPSports, and a range of other philanthropic sports organizations to aid in the fight against health issues confronting youth and their families. He was named the Carolina Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2006 and the St. Louis Rams Man of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. He has also been nominated twice for the prestigious Byron "Whizzer" White Award. Draft currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the NFL/Youth Education Town Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta, GA and as a national spokesman for the “Winning with Asthma” Program with the National Lt. Governors Association.
Chris Draft was recently honored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency, as a 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Ambassador.
Dara Torres
Dara Torres is a five-time Olympic swimmer, mother, model, TV personality, and motivational speaker. She is the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five Olympics: 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, and 2008. She competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in the 50 meter freestyle, 4×100 medley relay, and 4×100 freestyle relay and won the silver medal in all three of these events. Torres has won 12 Olympic medals (four gold, four silver, four bronze), five of which she won in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She has also won at least one medal in each of the five Olympics in which she has competed, making her one of only a handful of Olympians to earn medals in five different Games. Outside of swimming, Dara has made a name for herself as a TV commentator and a print model and was the first athlete to appear in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue in 1994.
Dara Torres Proves "Age Is Just a Number"
Order Dara Torres' book "Age Is Just a Number."
Jessica Denay
Jessica Denay is cofounder of the Hot Moms Club, an organization created to empower women and redefine motherhood, and is author of The Hot Moms Handbook series. Jessica is a mother as well as a former teacher and tutor. She serves on the advisory board for classwish.org, an organization that helps teachers get the class supplies they need.
Denay has appeared on hundreds of television and radio shows as a mom expert. Hot Moms Club events have a large celebrity fan base and have graced the pages of The New York Times, USA Today, People, US Weekly, Life & Style, Child and more. The Hot Moms Club website, www.hotmomsclub.com, is a popular mom haven that garners more than 2 million hits a month. Denay credits the club's success to the timeliness and popularity of its message: "You are not the best mom unless you are the best YOU!"
