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What are Ambassadors?
The goal of the ambassador program is to better support faculty, students and parents while strengthening our overall school community. Ambassadors are Joe Michell volunteers organized into teams of 2 or 3 that support grade-levels and the SDC (Special Day Classes) program. They work together to promote school events, classroom support and to strengthen the partnerships between Joe Michell families, faculty and community.
- Act as a shared resource for teachers to help with projects and school events
- Build grade-level communities through active communication with families
- Assist in school-wide projects and events, while encouraging others to do so as well
- Welcome families new to Joe Michell
- Assist in school-wide projects, fundraising and events
- Address different grade level needs
- Collaborate with room parents
- Act as your resource for questions
- Help to organize parent volunteers
How are we different from classroom parents?
Classroom parents usually focus on supporting one classroom. Ambassadors work at the grade or SDC program level to address grade-level or program needs; we also help in classrooms where there are no classroom parents. Ambassadors work collaboratively with classroom parents to avoid duplicating efforts.
Meet our Awesome Ambassadors
TK Grade Ambassadors
Lilly Lopez
Ambassador
Hi! I am Lilly Lopez, mother of Kasandra in Fourth grade and Jesse is in TK. We have been a Joe Michell family for 5 years but this is the first year I will be an Ambassador. I work full time as a Payroll Specialist for LVJUSD and I am fluent in Spanish. I look forward to meeting you all and hope to continue to make Joe Michell an excellent place for our children to learn and succeed in school. Please contact me with any questions or concerns!
Adrienne Olsen
Ambassador
Kindergarten Grade Ambassadors
Jamie Olson
Ambassador
Hello my name is Jamie Olson. Last school year my twin son’s Jacob and Jackson were in Kindergarten at Joe Michell. It was a fantastic year for them and for me. I was very impressed with the school, teachers, staff, classroom parents, and the FJMS community. FJMS does a great job supporting the students and the school. This year my son James is entering Kindergarten and I want his year to be as fantastic as his big brothers. I am very excited to be volunteering as a Kindergarten Ambassador to make this school year great. I look forward to meeting everyone and helping out in any way I can. Please feel free to contact me at jbolls@hotmail.com
Betty Schoonenberg
Ambassador
Hi! My name is Betty Schoonenberg and my son, Ben, is starting kindergarten this year. I also have a stepson who is a sophomore at Dublin High. I am excited to be an ambassador for kindergarten this year and am ready to dive in and become a part of the Joe Michell community. I work full time and am thankful for the opportunity to be as involved as possible in getting to know all of the families and be a part of the wonderful school community I have heard so much about. My hope is to support the students, faculty, and families to the best of my ability. I look forward to a wonderful school year and to meeting all of you!
Kim and Steve Rackley
Ambassador
Hi, we are Kim and Steve Rackley, and we are excited to be two of the Kindergarten Ambassadors for this year. For a little bit of background on us, I work full time for a technology company, and Steve is a full time stay at home Dad. This year our daughter Emma will be entering 3rd grade and our son Matthew will be starting Kindergarten. We moved to Livermore (and Joe Michell) a little over three years ago, and our experience at Joe Michell has been fantastic. The teachers, parents and staff are great – this is a really wonderful community. We look forward to meeting you, and can most readily be reached at Steve’s email address: Steve7007@yahoo.com
First Grade Ambassadors
Kelly Siefering
Ambassador
My name is Kelly Siefering and I will be one of your Ambassadors this year. My daughter, Ingrid, is excited to be in 1st grade. She has a 4 year old little brother, Garrett. My husband and I have lived in Livermore for 7 years. I am a Stay at Home Mom and a Substitute Teacher for a local preschool. My email is kellysiefering@gmail.com. I’m looking forward to our school year and getting to know all of you better!
Belinda Kitner
Ambassador
My name is Belinda and I’m Isabella Kintner’s mom. Along with Isa, I also have a 15 month old named Joshua. I am currently a full time Math teacher at a middle school in Pleasanton. This will be our 3rd year here at Joe Michell and have enjoyed every moment so far! Our family is very excited for what 1st grade will bring and cannot wait to see everyone on the first day of school!
Melissa Combrinck
Ambassador
I’m Melissa Combrinck, Aiden and Amy’s mom. We moved to California from South Africa almost 3 years ago. I’m the marketing manager at a software company based out of Colorado and I am fortunate enough to work from home. This is our third year at Joe Michell and my first time as a Grade Ambassador.
Second Grade Ambassadors
Kara Armstrong
Ambassador
My name is Kara Armstrong and I am the lead ambassador for the 2nd grade level. I look forward to continuing my role as an ambassador by providing support for and communication between teachers, parents and the Joe Michell community. I have two daughters at Joe Michell. Leah is in second grade and Lily is in Kindergarten. I also have an older daughter in seventh at Mendenhall. I look forward to another wonderful year at Joe Michell and look forward to getting to know all of the second grade teachers and families. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at karajerome@gmail.com.
Cat Arthur
Ambassador
Hi! I’m Cat Arthur. I have a daughter Ella in 7th grade and a son James in the 2nd grade. I work fulltime as a nurse for the School District. Family and community involvement is what I feel is important for a student and school to succeed. I look forward to helping parents connect and communicate with the school and teachers as an ambassador. Communication and connectedness is key to all of our success. catfortnp@aol.com
Christin Borges
Ambassador
Hi I am Christin Borges and I will be an assistant ambassador for 2nd grade this year. My daughter Ava is in 2nd grade and my youngest daughter Clara will be entering T/K. I was the director of enrichment programs the last two years and I know how important it is to help our school and our community. I also work full time and can appreciate the overwhelming part of work/life balance. I love our school and feel so blessed to have my children go here! I am excited to help the 2nd grade teachers, parents and students this year!
Third Grade Ambassadors
Fourth Grade Ambassadors
Shauna Lentz
Ambassador
Hello, my name is Shauna Lentz and I am the lead ambassador for the 4th grade level at Joe Michell. My son, Emery, is in to 4th grade this year and my daughter, Abigail, will be a junior at Vineyard Alternative High School. I have been at Joe Michell for 6 years now and I have always been grateful for our teachers. I have really come to appreciate the IB program and I love the idea of the ambassador’s club to help facilitate the communication between parents and teachers. I look forward to next year. smclentz@gmail.com
Jezebel DeAndrade
Ambassador
Hello! My name is Jezebel DeAndrade and I am mother of Bradley in 4th grade and Delilah in Kindergarten. I am super excited to use my skills to benefit the whole school and amazing IB program. I plan to be a strong liaison with my fellow ambassadors, parents, teachers, and staff. I look forward to helping this to be an amazing year for our 4th grade class. JezebelDeAndrade@gmail.com
Karen Paladichuck
Ambassador
Hello 4rd Grade Families ~ My name is Karen Paladichuk, and Mom to Ryan who is entering the 4th grade and began his Joe Michell ranks in Kindergarten. Ry’s older brother Wes – now in college – also attended Joe Michell our first year in Livermore many moons ago. Looking forward to another year at this amazing school where we look to encourage communication and connection among our Joe Michell community. karen.paladichuk@roberthalf.com
Fifth Grade Ambassadors
Our middle school ambassadors work collaboratively as one team, with representatives from each grade level.
Paige Atkins
Ambassador
My name is Paige Atkins, and I will be one of your 5th grade ambassadors for this year. My husband and I have three children at JMS. Harrison is in Ms. Parker’s class, my daughter Bailynn is in Ms. Matthews 4th grade class, and my youngest son, Grayson, is in Ms. Barger’s 1st grade class. I have been a room parent for many years and enjoy helping out in the classroom as well as field trips! We are all very excited about this school year and I look forward to being your ambassador. My email is russandpaige@gmail.com
Danielle Brown
Ambassador
My name is Danielle Brown and I am one of the 5th grade ambassadors this year. My family moved to Livermore two years ago. My daughter Trinity in 5th grade, Brandon in 2nd grade, and Skye in 1st have all grown and blossomed at this amazing school. I am a stay at home mom and work as a lunch lady. And more exciting, I know work at Joe Michell. I look forward to working with all of you this year. My email is dlrolling@aim.com
Leslie King
Ambassador
My name is Leslie King and I’m excited to be a 5th Grade Ambassador this year! My son Dustin is 10 and he’s been attending Joe Michell since he began Kindergarten. We feel so lucky to live just two blocks from this amazing school. I am self employed and enjoy being able to volunteer regularly in his classrooms, attend the field trips, and have worked as a Playground Supervisor during lunch. Dustin continues to thrive at this school, thanks in huge part to the teachers and staff who are nothing short of Incredible!!
Middle School Ambassadors
Kristin Memula
Ambassador
My name is Kristin Memula and my daughter Meera will be in 8th grade next year. My son Vijay attended JM for Middle School as well. We love the IB program and the overall feel of the school! I was Co-lead Ambassador this past year and look forward to continuing in this role. Please let any of us know how we can assist you and we will do our best to help you in any way we can.
Alison Nakagawa
Ambassador
Hi, my name is Alison Nakagawa and while my family is new to the school, my husband and I both grew up in Livermore. Our daughter Reese is entering 6th grade next year. We are looking forward to seeing how amazing the junior high program is, and starting the school program from the beginning with our youngest daughter Nella. While the time will fly, I look forward to supporting the Ambassador program and our new Joe Michell family.
Trina Wade
Ambassador
My name is Trina Wade and I have two children at Joe Michell. My daughter, Ainsley, will be in 7th grade. I also will have a 2nd grader so you’ll be seeing a lot of me over the next several years! I have a son at Granada school as well. I have been an ambassador for two years and have enjoyed getting more involved in school activities and assisting teachers with their needs. I look forward to a great year next year! ryanandtrinawade@hotmail.com
Amy Weintraub
Ambassador
Hello! My name is Amy Weintraub and I am an Assistant Ambassador for the 7th grade here at Joe Michell. My son Seth is going in to 7th grade this fall. This is his second year at Joe Michell. I also have a Fifth grader at Sunset Elementary. We chose Joe Michell for Middle School because of the wonderful IB program and I am excited to support the program and all that Joe Michell has to offer. I specifically look forward to improving communication between our wonderful families, students, teachers and administrators.
Jenny Hydrick
Ambassador
Hello! My name is Jenny Hydrick and I am Mom to Joshua who is in the 6th grade this year. I also have a son who is a Sophomore at Granada High School. This is our 2nd year at Joe Michell. I am excited to be more involved in school activities this year and assist in communication among the 6th grade community. I’m looking forward to meeting you and working to make this school year amazing! jenhyd72@hotmail.com
Special Day Class Ambassadors
Kristin Lee
Ambassador
My name is Kristin Lee. I have a 7th grader and a 4th grader here at Joe Michell this year. I am your Lead Ambassador for the SDC program this year at Joe Michell. I am so excited to open communications between you, the parent and the rest of FJMS members, so that our SDC families can feel included in taking part of school events and parties. I enjoy being a mother, gardening, reading, playing piano and being with friends. KristinLee934@yahoo.com
Leianna Amplement
Ambassador
My name is Leianna Amplement. I have a 8th grader and a 6th grader, both attending Joe Michell this year. I work part time as an Admissions Assistant at Pleasanton Nursing and Rehab Center. My hobbies are running, wine tasting and hanging out with friends. jus4lei@yahoo.com