Conversations with Stephanie Mitchell and Barbara Conroy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Mitchell and Barbara Conroy.

Hi Barb & Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Barb: I am a co-founder of the APSF and current Board Vice President. Up until my younger daughter’s arrival, I worked in the field of early childhood education. I’ve supported children ages birth through 8 and their families from Boston to Raleigh. As a public school teacher in New Jersey, I experienced the benefits of a local education foundation.

Every summer, my colleagues & I would spend a few weeks writing a grant proposal asking for materials that would help us better meet the diverse learning needs of the students in our classrooms. I’ve also seen the community pride and engagement in area schools grow from the work of a local education foundation.

Stephanie: I am a co-founder of the APSF and current Board President. In addition to my role at the APSF, I am also a stay-at-home mom to 3 school-aged boys. I have spent the last several years as a PTA volunteer at both the local and county level. Prior to being a stay-at-home mom, I had several years of experience as a research assistant conducting behavioral, intellectual, and developmental testing with infants and young children.

Barb: Stephanie & I met as PTA volunteers. During the summer of 2017, while chatting over coffee about ways to support our kids’ elementary school, we soon realized we wanted to support the broader school community and pull the local community together behind public schools. The Apex Public School Foundation was incorporated just months later in June of 2018.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Barb: As neither of us had a background in business or non-profit management, we looked to the community for support and mentorship. We both learned to ask a lot of questions and be straightforward about our limitations. The support we have received over the last three-plus years has been invaluable in establishing the APSF in our community.

Stephanie: One of our biggest challenges has been defining our foundation to the community. Parents, understandably, want to directly support their children’s individual schools, and community members without children may not realize they can make an important impact on local education.

We have been working through messaging that positions the APSF as a community-building organization, complementary to local PTAs, that strengthens the educational community as a whole.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Stephanie: The APSF maintains a fund to enhance the educational experience for students enrolled in Apex-area schools within the Wake County district. Our primary focus is the APSF Teacher Grant Program that funds innovative teacher initiatives not covered by the traditional budget.

To date, we’ve funded a variety of exciting programs for students in elementary through high school including a media center maker space, a courtyard garden, augmented/virtual reality technology, and STEAM-focused lab materials. We are looking forward to announcing 2022 Teacher Grant recipients in late February. Be sure to check our website or our social media for this announcement!

Barb: In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we began to focus on health and wellness initiatives and have continued these programs due to an incredibly positive response from the community and school staff. We offer free webinars for parents and guardians on important topics such as recognizing & supporting childhood anxiety, promoting student focus and engagement, and cultivating resilience in children.

We also have a weekly social media “Shoutout” that honors school staff and gives the community a sneak peek into the amazing things our educators and support staff do each and every day. This fall we launched the Peak S.T.A.R (Staff, Teacher, Administration Recognition) Award in collaboration with the Town of Apex. One Shoutout honoree is recognized each quarter at an Apex Town Council meeting.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Barb: The world is predictably unpredictable: Flexibility during Covid resulted in our adding programs we envision will be around for the long haul.

Stephanie: Active involvement of all stakeholders is key to successfully addressing the needs of the community. For the APSF, that includes a diverse Board and volunteer base, the Principal Advisory Committee, relationships with PTA leadership at Apex-area schools, and partnerships with the local business community.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@helpapexschools.org
• Website: https://www.helpapexschools.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apexpsf/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ApexPSF/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ApexPSF