For over a century local, state, and national PTAs have consistently worked to enhance the lives of students, families, and communities. While today’s PTAs may have evolved in structure, they remain a collaborative network that now includes not only parents and teachers but also school administrators and local businesses. The Mill Creek Elementary (MCE) PTA upholds this tradition by serving as a dedicated advocate for every child, a valuable resource for families and the community, and a committed supporter of students' wellbeing and educational advancement.

The MCE PTA consists of dedicated volunteers who work in partnership with the school to organize a variety of engaging events for the entire student body. These activities are designed to complement and enhance daily learning across multiple disciplines, including STEM, Art, and Reading, as well as to provide financial support for enrichment opportunities such as field trips and teacher and staff expenses. The Executive Board is elected by members and includes the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director of Fundraising.

Tara Kyle is in her second year as PTA President at Mill Creek Elementary, where she also attended school as a child. She previously served as Treasurer and Communications Co-Chair and has helped lead a collaborative, community-focused year for the PTA. She earned both her BA in Business Administration and her MBA from the University of Washington, and met her husband, Curtis, in Colorado in 2010. They now live in Mill Creek with their son and daughter. They moved back in 2019, right before the pandemic, hoping to give their kids the kind of hometown they'd be proud to grow up in. In the familiar trails and welcoming schools, they found a community that felt like home.

Before diving into PTA leadership, Tara spent over a decade at Microsoft in Talent Acquisition. After being laid off in 2023, she saw it as an opportunity to reset. What started as a brief pause quickly turned into a full pivot, one that led to coaching youth sports, volunteering more deeply, and eventually stepping into PTA leadership. She says, "PTA is about connection, creating the kind of environment where kids feel seen and supported, and families feel like they belong. Getting to be part of that, especially at the school that helped shape my own childhood, feels like coming full circle in the best possible way."

Maria supports the PTA President, collaborating with Tara and jumping in where needed. She acts as a bridge between the Executive Committee and our amazing event chairs, keeps the MCE PTA website up to date, and manages the monthly event list and school calendar. Maria was born and raised in Shoreline, WA, moving to Mountain View, CA just before starting high school. She attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara and later transferred to Seattle Pacific University, where she earned her degree in Interior Design. She met her husband, Travis, through a dear friend (and his cousin); and in 2016 they welcomed twin boys. 

In 2019 they moved their family to Mill Creek. Travis grew up here, in the Red Cedar neighborhood. They were drawn back to the close-knit community, great schools, parks, and green space. "It's special to find a place where neighbors are friends, kids still ride their bikes to school, and there's a sense of belonging around every corner," she says. Being involved in her boys' education has always been a priority for Maria. She started her twins in a co-op preschool where parent participation was part of the rhythm of school life — she loved it. Joining the PTA felt like a natural continuation of that commitment — a way to stay connected to the classroom, be part of the school community, and help where it counts. 

"The MCE PTA reflects the heart of our community. It's parents stepping up—time and time again—to make our kids' school experience the best it can be. When I think of the PTA, I think of late-night texts, school spirit days, shared laughs in the copy room, and an incredible group of friends who care deeply not just about their own kids, but about all our students. It's a team effort, and I feel lucky to be part of it," she shares. Outside of Mill Creek Elementary, you'll find Maria cheering on her boys' sports teams, enjoying time with family and friends, and squeezing in quiet moments with a good book or podcast when she can.

Michelle will be starting her second year as Treasurer. Her strong attention to detail and expertise in financial management have contributed significantly to maintaining our budget discipline and meeting all fiscal responsibilities on schedule. She grew up in Billings, MT and met her husband, Jason, while studying in Oregon. She is currently a family physician at Swedish Edmonds Birth and Family Clinic. They have three adventurous boys, so they were seeking an area that had great walkability and biking opportunities. They settled on Mill Creek in 2017. They love the sense of community their neighborhood provides. 

As a mom working outside the home, it was harder to be an active participant in her children's education as she simply wasn't available during the school hours most days. Acting as the PTA Treasurer gave her the ability to provide support to the school while also contributing her voice to school-related items, activities, and events. 

Kristin is the recordkeeper of the PTA. As Secretary, she is responsible for taking notes during the board and general membership meetings and ensures the timely execution of all meeting objectives and actions. She grew up in Everett and has enjoyed being able to have her kids experience some of the same opportunities she did as a child. She and her husband, Mark, have three kids, and her younger two children have attended Mill Creek Elementary. Together they own and operate Momentum Wealth Advisors. They moved to the Mill Creek area in 2017 in search of a close-knit, small-town atmosphere with outstanding schools. 

“We have had so many opportunities in this community, I feel so fortunate to be a part of it,” Kristin says. “I joined the PTA to be actively involved in my kids’ education and connect with likeminded parents. I love being part of a team that supports students, teachers and families, and am eager to help make Mill Creek Elementary an even better place to learn and grow. Being part of the PTA means having a voice, making a difference, and showing my children that school is something we’re all in together.”

Katy Boyd was thrust into the fundraising role at her first incoming Kindergarten playdate three years ago. After sharing her prior fundraising experience with the then-President, she was appointed to lead the school’s fundraising efforts. Katy embraced this role enthusiastically and has since played a key part in shaping the school's current fundraising operations. She looks forward to having a co-chair with whom she can blend ideas and work together with to raise funds for continued programming, events, and activities.  

She grew up in Kirkland, then ventured to the sun to receive her bachelor’s degree in communications from Arizona State University. She and her husband, Corey, moved to the Mill Creek area in 2015 and have two children currently attending Mill Creek Elementary.

Katy’s extensive fundraising knowledge has come from several years of fundraising for Friendship Adventures, a local nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of adults with developmental disabilities. Friendship Adventures plans and executes recreational and educational events and activities, so it was a natural step for her to take on a role with the PTA.

She views the PTA as a collaborative organization uniting parents, staff, and teachers, to foster an enriching environment for every student. She appreciates the PTA’s commitment to inclusiveness across all events and activities, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds within MCE. 

Jaime is stepping into her first year as Co-Director of Fundraising alongside Katy. She is eager to bring new ideas to the fundraising role and looks forward to adding to the success of the school’s biggest fundraiser, Cougar Craze, the all school direct donation campaign. She is a proud Texan having grown up in Houston. She met her husband, Julien Dubrulle, in 2011 while studying at Harvard, where she earned her master’s degree. Before becoming a mom of three rambunctious boys, she worked in international education. She loved living abroad and learned so much from the cultures and people she worked with. Currently, she works as Executive Director of Sister Schools, a local nonprofit that connects schools in the greater Seattle area with schools in Uganda so they can learn about each other and share resources. 

They moved to Mill Creek in 2019 when her husband got a job at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle. They wanted a yard and good schools, and Mill Creek checked all the boxes. Jaime ventured into PTA life in 2021 and started helping with the financial reviews and the cafeteria birthday board. She then decided to join the Board and took on the role as Membership Director. This past year she also served as the VP of Membership for the Everett PTSA Council. She loved seeing the bigger picture of the PTA and how she could help bridge any gaps between Council and the local elementary school. 

The MCE PTA seeks to build upon the significant accomplishments of previous boards by fostering collaboration among parents and local business owners on new initiatives to benefit the school community. Katy observed, “My experience with Friendship Adventures demonstrated that many businesses are receptive to supporting their local communities. Frequently, business owners or managers have personal ties with our organization, which facilitates engagement. I adopted this strategy to encourage business support for our students, recognizing the vital role they play in shaping the future of society.”

 

The MCE PTA is dedicated to fostering collaborative relationships among parents, school administration, local businesses, and the broader community. The organization’s commitment demonstrates that meaningful progress is achieved when stakeholders unite in support of a common goal. For inquiries regarding volunteer opportunities, sponsorships, or donations related to the fall Cougar Craze fundraiser, please email: president@mcepta.org