Welcome back!

Whether this is your first year serving in PTA or your twentieth, thank you for saying “yes” to making a difference. Somewhere, a teacher is labeling bins, a PTA volunteer is opening a spreadsheet they swore they’d never look at again, and someone is already asking, “When is the fundraiser?” If that’s you…welcome home.

As I begin my first year serving as President of the Duval County Council of PTAs, I do so with tremendous gratitude and excitement. PTA has shaped my life in ways I never imagined. It has introduced me to incredible leaders, lifelong friendships, and countless opportunities to advocate for children. Most importantly, it has reinforced something I believe with my whole heart: when parents, schools, and communities work together, students thrive.

This year, our Council theme is Advocacy with Heart. Action with Purpose.

Those aren’t just words on a logo, they’re the way I hope we approach everything we do. I challenge each of us to keep our purpose at the center of everything we do. Every membership we sign, every volunteer we recruit, every family we welcome, every event we plan, and every conversation we have should answer one simple question:

How does this help students?

Advocacy doesn’t only happen in Tallahassee or Washington. It happens every day, in our schools, in our classrooms, in our communities, and in the relationships we build with families and educators. Sometimes the most meaningful advocacy is simply making sure every parent knows they belong and every child knows they matter. At its heart, PTA is about relationships. When we take the time to listen, support one another, and build trust with families and educators, that’s where real change begins.

One of the things I love most about PTA is that no one has all the answers, and that’s okay. We learn from one another. We celebrate together. We occasionally laugh so we don’t cry. And somehow, we always find a way to make it happen.The Duval County Council PTA is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need guidance navigating compliance, ideas for growing membership, answers to tough questions, or encouragement after a long day, you are not alone. We are one team, learning from one another and working toward the same goal.

As many of you know, I have the honor of serving as the first Hispanic President in our Council’s 100-year history. That milestone means a great deal to me, but what means even more is what it represents: that PTA continues to grow, evolve, and welcome new voices to the table. Because every family deserves to see themselves reflected in leadership, and every voice makes our mission stronger.

As we launch another school year, I encourage you to be present, be courageous, and never underestimate the impact of your service. The hours you volunteer may not always be seen, but they are felt by the students and families whose lives you help shape.

Thank you for choosing to lead. Thank you for believing in public education. And thank you for being part of the PTA mission to make every child’s potential a reality. Here’s to a year filled with meaningful connections, strong advocacy, and opportunities to make an even greater impact across Duval County.

With heart and purpose,
Celita Wilson