About Us

Our Mission

Juárez Elementary PTO was established in 2013 and since has committed to raising funds to enhance and support the educational experience at Juárez Elementary. We exist to foster the relationship between school, home and the community for our students and their families. We are 100% volunteer run and 100% funded by our families and community partners.

Our philosophy

At Benito Juárez Elementary, our PTO is guided by the values of respect, inclusivity, and community. Inspired by the words of our school’s namesake, Benito Juárez — "Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace" — we strive to create a welcoming environment where every family feels seen, heard, and empowered.

We believe that when families, educators, and the wider community work together, students thrive. Through volunteering, fundraising, and school-wide events, the PTO supports programs that enrich the student experience and strengthen the bonds that make our Juárez community so special. Together, we build a foundation of peace, respect, and opportunity for all.

Juarez Elementary PTO Executive Board

The Juárez PTO Board consists of four volunteer positions voted in May annually. Board members consist of parents, teachers, or members with a passion for serving our students and families. Our Board works closely with Juarez Administration and Staff Representatives to gain an understanding of how best to engage our students and families to meet their needs. Contact the board at JuarezElementaryPTO@gmail.com

Anthony Montalvo

President, 2nd Grade Parent

Stephanie Alvarez

Vice President, Kinder Parent

Learn About Anthony

My name is Anthony Montalvo. The last three years I have been on the School Site Committee, and currently I am chair of the committee. My experience is in local government and in community organizing. My work mostly involved collaborating and leading diverse teams to drive positive change within our communities. I firmly believe in the benefit of teamwork and fostering strong relationships. I am also experienced in reviewing budgets and plans that require public input. With limited resources in our educational system I know every dollar spent is crucial. I would like to plan and implement ways to support our educators with the resources they need. I will collaborate with others to outreach to community members to gain more support for our school. There are also parents who want to be involved but for various reasons are unable to and I would work to do what I can to remedy that. I plan on engaging both parents and teachers in how best to address their needs, so that we may act in a cooperative environment to the benefit of our students. At the end of the day it is their education that matters above all else. I look forward to helping in any capacity I can in joining other parents and our educators in ensuring our school continues to provide the best it can for our students. I am honored to be President of the PTO.

Learn About Stephanie

Hi, I’m Stephanie, a proud parent of an UTK student and an active member of our school community. I’m passionate about creating meaningful, fun, and memorable experiences for our students and families. I truly enjoy being involved wherever help is needed.

By profession, I work in clinical research as a Regulatory Specialist, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration. I am also a Navy veteran, which has strengthened my skills in organization, teamwork, and leadership. I bring that same dedication and reliability into everything I do for our school.

Creating magic and fun for our kids is always my priority, while also supporting and uplifting our teachers. I strongly believe our teachers are the foundation of our school community, and they deserve to feel appreciated and supported. As Vice President, I will be honored to continue building a positive, inclusive, and engaged school environment for all families.

Declan Balla

Treasurer, 5th Grade Parent

Nicole Leonardo

Secretary, TK Parent, 4th/5th Grade Teacher

Bryce Niceswanger

Communications Coordinator, TK, 2nd & 4th Grade Parent

Learn About Declan

My family has been part of the Juarez community since 2015 (my oldest started in the first Spanish class Juarez offered!), and over the years I’ve really valued the relationships we’ve built with the teachers, staff, and families here. With three daughters who have all attended Juarez, I’ve enjoyed staying involved through PTO events, field trips, classroom support, and helping lead Bulldog Bros to encourage more family involvement within the school community.

In my professional career, I work as an Engineering Manager at a large Cyber Security company. Previously on the side, I served as a Finance Director for a nonprofit organization, where I was responsible for budgeting, financial reporting, operations, and long-term planning. Those experiences have helped shape my approach to leadership, organization, accountability, and financial oversight.

As Treasurer, I’m committed to helping maintain a PTO that is transparent, collaborative, and focused on supporting students, teachers, and school programs in meaningful ways. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to a community that has meant so much to my family over the years.

Learn About Nicole

I have been a proud member of the Juarez school community since 2019, teaching both fourth and fifth grade. My husband and I have three boys, and our family is grateful to be part of such a welcoming and supportive school community. This upcoming school year, I’m excited to join Juarez not only as a teacher but also as a UTK parent to my son, Kevin. I have always enjoyed being actively involved in school events and fundraisers, as I believe a strong school community creates a strong foundation for every classroom. I am passionate about supporting our teachers, enriching student experiences, and helping build a connected, joyful environment for all Juarez families.

Learn About Bryce

I’m a parent of a TK, 2nd and 4th grader at Juarez. I work as a Respiratory Therapist at Rady Children’s Hospital, where I also serve as the Chair of the Shared Leadership Committee. I’ve served as Secretary and Chair of the Serra Mesa Planning Group as well as dedicated my time to many other committees.

A few years ago, I set out to make it easier for families to stay connected with what was happenings at school. This effort led to the creation of the parent calendar, a tool that keeps everyone informed by syncing school and PTO events directly to everyone's google calendars. Check it out on the Calendar Tab.

My vision for the Juarez PTO is to create an all-inclusive, connected community of parents, families, and teachers—one that encourages learning and joy through engaging activities. I believe everyone should feel included, supported, and respected, with all voices heard.

I want to foster an environment where any parent or teacher can bring forward ideas, and with the support of the group, have the opportunity to plan, organize, and make them a reality.