The PSO Board of Directors play an integral role in the success of PSO and our mission to advocate for parent choice across the country. Since we the Parent Leadership Conference is virtual this year, we are sad we won’t be able to introduce the 2020-21 board to you in person.

This year we’ve welcomed new new members to the board: Wei Barr from Alabama and Letrisha Weber from Indiana. 

The PSO Board has long represented a cross-section of PSO members—with some choosing full-time online schools, while others choose hybrid models or other schooling methods. We also have a board with diverse interests—woodworking, and radiology research, just to name a few! 

There’s one thing our board members have in common: their steadfast commitment to ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education that works for them.

Get to know the PSO Board below.

Wei Barr

Prattville, AL

How did you get involved with PSO?

I was first introduced to PSO at Capitol Day in Montgomery, AL in 2017. The idea of a grassroots organization that mobilize parents and children energized me in getting involved with Advocacy for choice!

What’s your best memory of the Parent Leadership Conference?

Mock hearings! We are blessed in our state to have had the support of legislators for many years. Watching the mock hearings reminds me of the grim reality of the uphill battles many of our parents and students still face in other parts of the country.

What are you most looking forward to about this year’s virtual conference?

With the COVID crisis, virtual schools are now front and center in the public eyes. The results are still mixed and the emotions are high, for good and bad! I'm looking forward to learning about the latest development and share our experiences.

When not advocating for parent choice, what do you do for fun?

Woodworking.

Did you binge any tv shows during quarantine?

Of course! Tony Shalhoub's Monk is still the greatest show ever produced.

Finally, if you printed a t-shirt with your slogan or motto, what would it say?

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Shea Mackin

Austin, TX

How did you get involved with PSO?

I saw a need to do my part in protecting options in education for children. Not every student can unwrap the gift of education in the same way. An education in a different package does not make the gift any less valuable.

What's your best memory of the Parent Leadership Conference?

I love feeling energized by the parents and advocates that are all doing the same thing in their neck of the woods. It energizes me to keep up the fight for options for every child that needs it!

What are you most looking forward to about this year's virtual conference?

I love hearing from people that do this everyday! They have such great insight into the fight. It's like attending special ops training and learning the ins and outs within the movement of education reform and parent power.

When not advocating for parent choice, what do you do for fun?

I am a Program Ranger for the Boy Scouts of America. I spend between 3-4 days a week in the outdoors teaching kids about nature and the world around them. I love creating opportunities for families to take a time out from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Did you binge any tv shows during quarantine?

I was so busy with online Scouting content and making plans A, B, C and Q for Scouts in person this fall that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow every night. So, sadly not much idle time for me...

Finally, if you printed a t-shirt with your slogan or motto, what would it say?

Behind every young child who believes in himself is a parent who believed first.

Kyla Anderson

Santa Fe, New Mexico

How did you get involved with PSO?

I went to my capitol building as a field trip with my son's Connections Academy school. I did tv and newspaper interviews that day. I was contacted by a PSO staffer and invited to come to boot camp (Parent Leadership Conference) 7 years ago and have been coming every year since.

What's your best memory of the Parent Leadership Conference?

Getting to meet all of the other parents who had the same goals as me and learning that there was an organization that helped parents find their voice and how to use it. I went home after my first year attending thinking I hit the jackpot. I was so excited to share my experience.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's virtual conference?

Since this hasn't been done I am excited to see how it turns out. I am excited about all of the speakers. I am excited that a lot of parents who normally can't make it can come since it is virtual this year.

When not advocating for parent choice, what do you do for fun?

I read a book. I work on my pottery. I work on my watercolor painting and other forms of art. I like to watch movies with my family. I like to be outside on nice days. I like to help friends and family when needed.

Did you binge any tv shows during quarantine?

Well when I had surgery this summer and couldn't eat for 7 weeks I totally binge watched several shows. I watched; This is Us, Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias. Since then I haven't had time to binge watch anymore. I am hoping to rewatch Grey's Anatomy again from the beginning.

Finally, if you printed a t-shirt with your slogan or motto, what would it say?

Breath, eat a ton of chocolate, have a glass of wine and dance it out!!! 

Life is too short to control what you can not and I am sick and tired of arguing with my 13 year old.

Letrisha Weber

Indianapolis, Indiana

How did you get involved with PSO?

The Head of Schools for our Hybrid school brought me to a state advocacy opportunity when I challenged the changes our school was forced to make as a result of budget cuts.  That’s when I learned that a little schedule conflict for me was so much for for so many families.

What's your best memory of the Parent Leadership Conference?

My first year in DC one of the buses broke down and we were already on the one headed to the Hill without our PSO Staff.  They told us to just skip our first meeting, but we were not giving up that easy. We figured it out and knocked it out of the park. Such a rush! I was hooked!

What are you most looking forward to about this year's virtual conference?

I am eager to see the reach that we can achieve with the virtual platform. What a great representation of what we do in school choice. When we are influenced negatively from the outside, we make great teaching opportunities out of the challenges.

When not advocating for parent choice, what do you do for fun?

Our family enjoys camping, kayaking, and anything in nature. I also enjoy doing Radiology research and design.

Did you binge any tv shows during quarantine?

Too many to admit to. 🤦‍♀️

Finally, if you printed a t-shirt with your slogan or motto, what would it say?

We’ll MAKE it happen.

Colleen Cook

Newcastle, OK

How did you get involved with PSO?

I got involved with PSO when I realized that when it came to doing what was best for my child regarding education, I was truly alone. I felt as though my child did not matter, that I didn't matter, and I didn't want any other parent to feel that way.

What's your best memory of the Parent Leadership Conference?

Oh...that's a tough one...I'd say it's a toss-up between listening to Andrew Campanella and Kevin Chavous speak. Both men have such a passion for parents to be in the driver's seat when it comes to their child's education. Both men are incredibly inspiring and engaging.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's virtual conference?

Aside from not hiking the Hill in DC heat and humidity?  Probably the incredible line-up of guests. The virtual event has allowed us to provide parents with a smorgasbord of leading voices in education advocacy and policy that we would have had to otherwise limit.

When not advocating for parent choice, what do you do for fun?

I enjoy taking quick trips out of town here and there.  I also really enjoy having family and friends over for food and fun.  I can play an awful game of cornhole, and can really boost your ego in a cornhole tournament.

Did you binge any tv shows during quarantine?

Did you know it was possible to reach the end of Netflix’s library, just like reaching the end of the internet? Just kidding...I only watched Hart of Dixie, Ozark, and I am now watching Lucifer. I spent more time listening to music and expanding my music library!

Finally, if you printed a t-shirt with your slogan or motto, what would it say?

“The sailor in me is about to come out” or, “Find joy in each day”

Jay Schuler

Reno, NV

How did you get involved with PSO?

14 years ago we joined an online school. My children all learned different and needed different tools to help with learning. I quickly learned how our state was pushing back on school choice and I knew I could not stand on the side lines.  I needed to be my child's voice.

What's your best memory of the Parent Leadership Conference?

The many places we would visit like the White House.  I also enjoy going to the capital and meeting our legislators as I feel that helps in building a relationship that you can keep building back in your home state.

What are you most looking forward to about this year's virtual conference?

The many great speakers we have that will share how education has impacted their life.

When not advocating for parent choice, what do you do for fun?

I love camping, hiking, sailing, and flying our many hot air balloons and sharing the love of aviation with kids of all ages.

Did you binge any tv shows during quarantine?

Yes, we found a great family show called Heartland.  Based on a family growing up in the country raising cattle and a young girl with a gift for training horses.

Finally, if you printed a t-shirt with your slogan or motto, what would it say?

Why Y’all trying to test the Jesus in me.

Christin Kaiser

Westwego, Louisiana

How did you get involved with PSO?

My daughter was in her first year of virtual school when we got notice that there was a Louisiana State Capitol field trip. We went, enjoyed ourselves and it was there I met [past] PSO president Beth Purcell. A month later I had a DC airfare and was attending the PSO boot camp.