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: Ben Bear

PresidentCottonwoodPTO@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 2nd grade, and Agustus will be joining the Cottonwood family this 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-President 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 around for pickups and drop offs nearly every day, so just look for the bear-man - I always say I look the part!

 

 

Co-President: Peter Marle

PresidentCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

Hi! I'm Peter Marle, and I'm serving as your PTO Co-President this year. My family moved back to the area 6 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 4th grade at Cottonwood this year. 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. 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!


 

 

 

Co-VP: Blake Evans

vpcottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

 

  


 

 

 

Co-VP: Vacant

vpcottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

This position is still vacant! Send any one of us an email if you are interested!

  


 

 

Co-Treasurer: Jeshica Baral

TreasurerCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

 

 


 

 

 

Co-Treasurer: Brian Schilb 

TreasurerCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

My name is Brian Schilb, and I am excited to introduce myself as a member of the PTO. My daughter, Maggie, is currently in the 3rd grade at Cottonwood. My wife, Katie, and I also have two children attending Cherry Creek High School.  I am eager to collaborate with other PTO members to support our school community. Building connections with fellow parents and offering assistance to the dedicated teachers and administration at Cottonwood is a priority for me. Professionally, I work as an audit Partner at KPMG. I am a proud alumnus of CSU and a USMC Veteran. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, taking our dogs for walks, going camping, exercising, reading, and exploring new travel destinations. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you and working together to make a positive impact on our school community.

 

 

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 1st grade, 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-Secretary: Megan Duggan

SecretaryCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com

 

 


 

 

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 (fundraising) with Matt!  I am looking forward to bringing new and different fundraising ideas to the school as we come together to build the Cottonwood community.  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 are in 2nd and 4th grades at Cottonwood this year.  In my spare time, I enjoy reading, baking, walking my dog, and spending time with my family.  I can't wait to see you at all of our upcoming events! 

  

 

 

Co-Ways & Means: Matt Leebove

WMCottonwoodPTO@gmail.com