Third Thursday Member Meeting
The DAW Third Thursday Member Meeting on February 20 was well attended and featured a strong presence representing our co-hosts from the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs. All were inspired and informed by the four panelists: Jessica Coulson Coordinator of Social Emotional Well-Being and College and Career Readiness from the SRVUSD, Ravneet Julka an attorney and parent who is vice president for Family Engagement for the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs among other positions, Krista Glaser President of the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs, and Rian Dindzans a recent graduate from CSU East Bay who identifies as gender-fluid. With the direction of moderator Laurinda Ochoa, the speakers shared their varied backgrounds and experiences related to education and our local schools. While they appreciate that parents have rights, they emphasized the need to be inclusive and supportive of all students as well as to recognize the needs of all children for protection and privacy in their personal choices.
In closing comments, they encouraged everyone to be respectful of different people, to approach differences with an open mind, to resist boxing in people with labels, and to be supportive of all, particularly of marginalized groups.
Many thanks to our excellent speakers for their insight and inspiration!
Here is background about the four panelists who provided their unique insights and experiences during this discussion.
Jessica Coulson serves as Coordinator of Social Emotional Well-Being and College and Career Readiness for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. She joined SRVUSD in 2008 as a counselor at San Ramon Valley High School, before transferring to Dougherty Valley High School in 2009. A veteran educator, prior to joining SRVUSD Jessica was a high school English teacher for several years. She holds a B.A. in English literature from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in counseling education from San Jose State University. In addition to supporting and advocating for students, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, caring for her aging dog, and getting lost in a good book.
Rian Dindzans (they/them) is a recent graduate from CSU East Bay, obtaining a degree in Human Development with a focus on Child Development in spring 2024. Though currently unemployed, Rian volunteers where they can, to help however they can – currently, they work with chronically ill and disabled children through CoachArt to foster healthy hobbies, such as sewing, playing videogames cooperatively, drawing, or cooking. They are also part of a faculty and student group that is conducting research on Disability Cultural Centers (DCC) in American colleges and universities, and have laid the groundwork for a DCC at East Bay. As a disabled, queer, transgender individual, they are always open to share their lived experiences to educate others on the importance of autonomy and self-expression, to whoever asks!
Krista Glaser (she/her) is an attorney and community volunteer in Danville. She serves as the President of the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs, supporting 34 PTAs and PTSAs in San Ramon Valley Unified School District. She is the Membership Chair for PFLAG Danville-San Ramon Valley and is on the Steering Committee of the San Ramon Valley Diversity Coalition. Krista holds a B.A. in Political Science and Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies from Stanford University, and a J.D. from the University of California, San Francisco School of Law. Krista and her wife stay busy raising their Fortnite-obsessed 13-year-old son.
Ravneet Julka is an attorney and mother of 4 children, ages 8 to 19 years old. A graduate of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, she went on to UC Davis and later attended UC Hastings, now known as UC Law, San Francisco. She then spent nearly 20 years in Georgia, raising her children, working intermittently in local government and in the private legal world, and coaching youth sports. She is passionate about ensuring that all children receive a quality education and that all families are welcome and integrated into our community. As the Vice President for Legislative Advocacy for the California High School PTA, Vice President for Family Engagement for the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs and as the Vice President for Legislative Advocacy for the 32nd District of PTAs, Ravneet spends her time advocating for children’s issues at school sites and local school board meetings to ensure that our children and families are supported throughout the San Ramon Valley and the larger Contra Costa area.