Jacobson PTO 2020-21

Kristen Thurmond

My name is Kristen Thurmond and this is my family’s 7th year as a Jacobson Jet.  We have a daughter in 6th grade and a daughter in 5th grade.  I’ve been a classroom volunteer, Space Explorers Coordinator, PTO Secretary, PTO Fundraising Chair (really a Co-Chair because I had an amazing partner and team) and now I’m super excited to be PTO President.  When I’m not busy volunteering, I work PRN at Phoenix ER and Medical Hospital as the Registered Dietitian.  My husband Brian and I have been married for 19 years.  PTO has a dynamic and hardworking board this year and we hope to make it a great one despite these extraordinary times.  To make it successful we will need all of the parent and teacher community.  I look forward to a great 2020-21 school year. 

Leah Lang

I am so excited to be a part of the Jacobson PTO Executive Board! This will be my fourth year participating with Jets PTO.  My oldest son, Brayden, is a Jets alumni and a 10th grader at Hamilton High and my youngest son, Evan, is a 5th grader.  I am happy to currently be a stay at home mom but I worked in education for 20 years before that.  I was a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and then became a Guidance Counselor, both at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe.  My husband, Scott, was also an educator and continues to be an advocate for education.  I am looking forward to a fun filled year working with Jacobson parents, staff, and students.

Kristy Vigesaa

My name is Kristy Vigesaa and this is my family's 8th year at Jacobson.  I have two kiddos, Evan is in 6th grade and Brooklyn is in 8th grade at Bogle Jr. High.  I’ve enjoyed being an active classroom volunteer during our time at Jacobson, but have also been the Space Explorers Coordinator for the past 3 years.  When  I am not volunteering at Jacobson, I am a pharmacist at Gila River Health Care.  This is my first year  on PTO  and I am excited for a fun and rewarding year.  

 Angie Johnson

 My name is Angie Johnson and this is my first year serving on the PTO Board. Last year, as a Kindergarten Mom, I served on the Hospitality Committee and really enjoyed getting to know other parents and spending time celebrating our great teachers and staff. Prior to being a stay-at-home Mom, I had careers in IT and university student relations and leadership development. I am an Arizona native and a proud University of Arizona grad. Go Cats! My husband, Lars, is in IT and we have one son, Anderson in 1st grade. My nephews are also Jacobson Jets! I look forward to making this a great year despite these unprecedented times. 

Kimberly Zarnick

 Hello there, my name is Kimberly Zarnick! This will be my first year on the PTO board; however, I have been affiliated with Jacobson for the past 20 years! My husband taught 5th grade for many years and I've had three children pass through these amazing doors, with my youngest, Alorah, now going into 6th grade. My job while on PTO is to help coordinate the box tops fundraiser program! 

Valentina Bonacalza

This is my third year on the Jacobson PTO Board.  I have two kids: Marco 6th Grade and Elisa 9th grades. We are Italian and with my husband and the kids we moved to England in 2012, we lived there for 6 years. In December 2017 we moved to Chandler and we are happily living here since then. My background is in nursing and a midwifery and I currently studying for the NCLEX so I can be a nurse here as well.  I have been a volunteer in the school for 3 years and I have made lots of copies for the teachers, I have chaperoned and helped with the Drama Club. I think that the teachers have to deal with lots of staff and I am more than happy to help and give back some love and time to them.  I have been the PTO Vice President in the first year and I have been the School Cents Coordinator for the last three years.

I used to spend lots of hours in school helping and I love it because everyone is very friendly and kind, the staff and the teachers are incredible, always ready to help and with a smile on their faces.

Lisa Jacobs - Committee Chair

Brittany Gaitan - Committee Chair