The goal of the Modesto Teachers Association is to promote community understanding of educational concerns and needs of children, to offer leadership towards solutions, and to promote united action and cooperation among individuals and organizations devoted to the educational interests of the community, state and nation.
To accomplish this goal, MTA organizes members into committees to advance our interest in the defense of public education. Our mission is made possible by individual members working collectively. We welcome volunteers to make this good work possible.
Are you willing to join an MTA Committee to help realize our common goal?
Board of Directors
MTA Board of Directors (BOD) is a body of ten elected members who jointly oversee the activities of Modesto Teachers Association.
| President: Jennifer McGrath | 1st Vice-President: Kathy Presley | 2nd Vice-President: Jennifer James |
| Treasurer: Steve McEwen | Recording Secretary: Jennifer Hayner | PK-6 Director-at-Large: Chad King |
| PK-6 Director-at-Large: Patrick McCloud | 7-12 Director-at-Large: Robin Rodrigues | 7-12 Director-at-Large: Bret Wagner |
| SPED Director-at-Large: Tim Williams | Executive Director: Yaser Herrera |
| Patrick McLoud [6/26/2025] | Suzi Tornberg [6/26/2026] |
| Kelly Blanc Vaughan [6/26/2027] | OPEN [6/26/2027] |
Communications
This committee articulates Association information to membership and the community through social media and our website.
Members
- Jennifer Beard, Chair
- Lisa Boyd, Social Media Specialist
- Joe Tornberg
Elections
The committee ensures the Association follows democratic practices in the election of leadership and contracts.
Members
- Kerry Castellani, Chair
- Kevin Quiñones
- Joe Tornberg
Grievance
The committee defends the Association’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and member rights.
Members
- Mary Fong, Chair
- Kimberly Cloud
- Melicety Deatherage
- Chad King
- Robin Rodrigues
- Suzi Tornberg
- Brett Wagner
Equity Team
The committee monitors the Association’s implementation of chapter human rights goals.
Members
- Mary Morado, Chair
- Cheryl Nelson
- Gretel Neumann
- Rick Pinedo
- Kevin Quiñones
Medical Benefits
The Medical Benefits Committee’s responsibility is to maintain and administer the member’s health fund. This fund supplements retiree’s health benefits. Visit our retirement site for more information.
Members
- Peter Rodgers, Executive Director
- Jennifer McGrath-President
- Jennifer James-2nd Vice President
- Mike Doornewaard
- Jeff Bakker
- Jeena Rogers
- Judy Lyons
- Carrie Patino
Negotiations
The committee represents the Association during bargaining with the District and develops resolutions to member concerns.
Members
- Mike Doornewaard, Chair
- Melissa Bray
- Jennifer Hayner
- Jennifer James
- Nancy Lopez
- Nikiya McCoy
- Jennifer McGrath
- James Parker
- Brett Wagner
- Yaser Herrera
- Mark Smith
- Brooke Plaa
Organizing
The committee organizes membership to accomplish Association goals.
Members
- Suzanne Lemos, Co-Chair
- Katrina Van Walterop, Co-Chair
- Mary Morado
- Kim Resso
- Laurie Vinson
- Bobbie Young
Strategy/Political Action
The committee supports the Associations’s interests in local elections.
Members
- Brett Wagner, Co-Chair
- Joe Tornberg, Co-Chair
- Patty Bovenkerk
- Cathleen Carrera
- Kerry Castellani
- Ulices Chavez
- Ramandeep Dhillon
- Anthony Drobnick
- Elizabeth Guptill
- Aimee Matlock
- Charles McCall
- Maria Ocegueda
- Kevin Quiñones
- Kendra Shervington
- Arian Soto-Zuniga
- Giancarlo Torres-Serna
- Cory Welch
- Janeen Zambo
Public Relations
The committee promotes the Association by developing community partnerships.
Members
- Bobby Lawrence, Co-Chair
- Yumi Soares, Co-Chair
- Abigail Garcia-Ashabraner
- Valerie Miller
- Heidi Ranalla
- Elizabeth Soto
Scholarships
The committee administers the application process and granting of MTA scholarships.
Members
- Kathy Presley, Chair
- Dewey Wong
- Jennifer James
- Patrick McLoud
- Kelley Blanc
- Kerry Castellani