Our PTO

Our PTO is made up of hard-working parents & teachers who pool their talents to provide practical support for our school. Those listed below volunteered to provide leadership this year. Get to know their names and faces, and feel free to ask them if you have questions. Interested in open board or committee positions? Contact us!

    

 

Co-President: Lydia Miller

 PresidentCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com 

 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as PTO Co-President this year, and Co-Vice President last year. My family and I are passionate about Cottonwood Creek, and we enjoy serving our community. My son Austin is in 5th grade, my son Baylor is in 4th grade, my daughter Lydy is in 3rd grade, and my son Tippy is in pre-K. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my family, snorkeling, swimming, painting, hiking, and cheering for my children in all of their activities. As a profession, I am an Attorney Recruiter for the law firm Holland & Hart. Please feel free to reach out, as I am here to support you!

 

 

  

  Co-President: Julie Levenson

PresidentCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com 

 

Hi, I am Julie Levenson your PTO Co-President, and I am so excited to about all the amazing plans we hope to bring to our community for the 2023-2024 school year.  Your PTO E-Board would love to explore more fun, unique ideas, so please reach out!!!  And we are always looking for more volunteers to help the ideas we already have in the works. Currently, I have two daughters at Cottonwood, Ally is going into 4th grade and Ryla is going into 2nd.  Both my girls are soccer-playing gymnasts, and I enjoy cheering them on as they find their passions in life.  Originally from Baltimore, I've been in Colorado since 2008.  During the day, I work full time as a Federal Contractor and have been working as a civilian throughout the Federal Government for the last 25 years.  I joined the PTO a few years ago as a way meet people and to give back to our wonderful welcoming community and am excited to continue this adventure.  

 

Co-Vice President: Ben Bear

vpcottonwoodpto@gmail.com

 

There is nothing more important to our future than the education of our children, and there is no better way to secure that future than to place yourself right in the heart of the effort! I wholeheartedly believe that this is the reason we're all here at Cottonwood.  My wife, Jamie and I have two boys - Winston is in 1st grade, and Agustus will be joining the Cottonwood family in the '24-'25 school year as a Kindergartner.  I originally came to Colorado in 2010 looking for new opportunities after pursuing a professional operatic career until the recession hit the arts hard.  However, taking an economic setback as an opportunity, I worked with foreclosures through the recession and grew that into a career as a Realtor!  When we were expecting our second child, we knew that not only did we need Cherry Creek Schools, but we needed the BEST and that is why our motto through the whole moving effort was COTTONWOOD or BUST!
 
I'm looking forward to serving the Cottonwood Community as your Co-VP with Peter!  Never hesitate to reach out if there's anything I can do for you or if there's new ideas you'd like to bring up.  We are all very approachable people on the Board - so don't be shy!  I'm by the 1st grade door for pickups and drop offs nearly every day, so just look for the bear-man - I always say I look the part!
 
 

Co-Vice President: Peter Marle

vpcottonwoodpto@gmail.com

 

Hi! I'm Peter Marle, and I'm serving as your PTO Co-Vice President this year. My family moved back to the area 5 years ago when my son was starting 1st grade. He's now moved on from Cottonwood Creek and is a Campus Middle Schooler. My daughter is in 3rd grade at Cottonwood this year, and I'm also serving as a Room Parent for her class. In my free time, I like to play tennis, camp with my family, volunteer as a mentor for the Epilepsy Foundation, and (to a lesser extent!) work on my house. You might also see me around the soccer fields, helping coach my daughter's Rapids team. I'm an Air Force veteran (2000-2006), and I currently work for Charter Communications as a data analyst. My previous job was with Aurora Public Schools – where I learned a lot about student data (assessments, why "October Count" is important for our school, school accountability, etc). Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, or comments. I'm looking forward to serving you this year!

   

 

- Photo Coming Soon- 

Co-Treasurer: Rika McGowan

TreasurerCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com 

 

Hello, I'm Rika McGowan and I'm excited to serve as PTO Co-Treasurer this year. I have three daughters; Olive is entering 4th grade and Anri is going into Kindergarten, and Kona is furry and spends all day on the couch. I'm originally from Japan and have lived in Hawaii and Los Angeles before moving to Colorado in 2019. Our family enjoys camping, skiing, and visiting family in Tokyo and New York. While in Los Angeles, I worked as Director of an accounting firm. Currently, I work for my daughters and enjoy every moment of it. I look forward to meeting new faces and serving our school and community. 

 

 

Co-Treasurer: Jeshica Baral

TreasurerCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com 

 

Hello, I am Jeshica Baral. It is a privilege to serve as your PTO co-Treasurer this year.  I am a mother of two boys, and one of them is going into second grade this year (2023) at Cottonwood.  I am an auditor by trade, and I am excited to be in this role that aligns with my day job. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with the family, binge watching Netflix, and being outdoors, and hiking. I look forward to a wonderful year with all of you. 

 

 

 

 Co-Secretary: Shayla Brubaker

SecretaryCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

 

I am excited to serve as a PTO Co-Secretary this year. I have a daughter, Emry, going into 4th grade, and a daughter, Brenna, moving up to 7th grade at Campus MS. I am a former educator (3rd Grade Teacher and Elementary School Dean) with a passion for supporting education, and I currently work as an instructional assistant in Cottonwood's Kindergarten.  In my free time, I enjoy hiking, swimming, reading, interior design/organization, traveling, and supporting all my kids’ hobbies. 

 

 

 Co-Secretary: Amy Rasmusson

SecretaryCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

 

Hello, I’m Amy Rasmusson. I’m excited to serve as a PTO Co-Secretary this year. I have 2 kids at Cottonwood that are going into 4th and 1stgrade, in addition, our youngest who will be going into Pre-K this year. I am originally from AZ, but have lived in CO since 2004, except for a 2-year stint in KS where my husband is originally from. For the last 16 years I have worked as an RN at Children’s Hospital. When we are not serving as activity coordinators to our children, we enjoy spending time as a family swimming, skiing, camping and exploring CO. I look forward to supporting our school and community. 

 

 

 

 Co-Ways & Means: Laura Marturano

WMCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

 

Laura Marturano has 2 kids at Cottonwood going into 1st and 2nd grade, as well as a student moving up to Campus MS.  Her and her family are native to Colorado and love everything it has to offer.  She enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling, tennis and spending time with friends and family.  Professionally Laura taught in the Cherry Creek district for 10 years and will be working on the teaching team at DU in the fall.  She loves Cottonwood Creek and is excited to continue to support Ways and Means.  

 

 Co-Ways & Means: Sarit Thorp

WMCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com 

 

Hi!  My name is Sarit Thorp and I am excited to serve as Co-Ways and Means with Laura!  I am very much looking forward to bringing back old events and starting new traditions as we continue to build the Cottonwood community and see why it is such a special place to learn and grow.  I grew up in the midwest and lived in Chicago for ten years before heading West with my husband to call Colorado home.  Our two daughters will be in 1st and 3rd grades at Cottonwood this year.  In my spare time, I enjoy reading, baking, walking my dog, and talking about the auction.  I can't wait to see you at all of our upcoming events!  

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