Kathleen Penny Christian

In This Section

Kathleen Penny Christian

Kathleen "Penny" Christian
Lexington, KY
Dixie Elementary PTA, Lexington, KY

PTA Involvement

  • 2023 - Current: Chair, Family Engagement Committee, National Parent Teacher Association

  • 2023 - Current: Vice President, Organizational Services, Kentucky Parent Teacher Association

  • 2021-2023, Member, National Parent Teacher Association Legislative Committee

  • 2021-2023: Vice President, Leadership Outreach, Kentucky Parent Teacher Association

  • 2019-2021: President, 16th District Parent Teacher Association

  • 2016-2018: President, Morton Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association

  • 2015-2017: Chair, Academic Initiatives, 16th District Parent Teacher Association

  • 2013-2015: President, Glendover Elementary School Parent Teacher Association

Community Involvement

Current Service Includes:

  • 2025-Current: Member, Fayette County Public School Board

  • 2020-Current: Chair, Kentucky United We Learn Council

  • 2020-2024: Programs Chair/Member, Fayette Education Foundation

  • 2018-Current: Kentucky, Member, Coalition for Healthy Children

  • 2018-Current, Member, Fayette County Public Schools Safety Advisory Council

Honors and Awards

  • 2020: National PTA Lifetime Achievement Award

  • 2016: Outstanding PTA Volunteer Award, Glendover Elementary School

Candidate Narrative

I am a passionate and dedicated education advocate. Speaking on behalf of children and families in marginalized groups is a primary focus, yet all children deserve a voice. Like so many of my fellow advocates, my journey began as an elementary school parent, just wanting what was best for my children. It did not take long for me to realize that PTA was the perfect path for me. Today, I know my purpose. I embrace it. My hope is that others will see my passion for this work, knowing that when we are successful, so are our babies.

During my 20 plus years of advocacy I have held a variety of titles and positions, but regardless of local, state, or national level, I have always tried to prioritize identifying and growing leaders.  Even now, as chair of the Family Engagement Committee, my members are acutely aware that I desire more for them, because it makes us as an Association that much stronger. It is especially important now to maintain-even intensify-our efforts to build our leadership repository. We cannot speak for everyone if they do not have a seat at the table. To that end, I feel the National Parent Teacher Association Nominating and Leadership Committee is an appropriate fit for me and my vision of a truly inclusive Association.