Overview

""Beyond the Bake Sale: The True Calling of a PTA President"" is a powerful, inspiring, and deeply personal look into the world of parent leadership far beyond cupcakes, fundraisers, and themed spirit days. Written by an educator, mother, and community strategist, Susan Saint-Joy, this groundbreaking book peels back the curtain on what it means to lead in the often-overlooked space of school-family engagement. It is a tribute to the everyday parent who dares to raise their hand, step forward, and create change. Set in the vibrant, diverse landscape of Long Island, New York's Floral Park-Bellerose School District, ""Beyond the Bake Sale"" follows Susan's transformative journey as a PTA president, district committee member, and passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, and joy in education. Along the way, readers gain insight into the real challenges that face school communities-barriers to parent involvement, racial and economic inequalities, boardroom politics, emotional labor, and the quiet exhaustion that comes with carrying the expectations of many without recognition. Through storytelling, reflection, and real-world experience, Susan reveals how parent leadership is not just about volunteer hours-it's about navigating power structures, amplifying unheard voices, building collaborative teams, and learning how to advocate with both strategy and compassion. As a former special education teacher of 15 years and now a doctoral candidate in management, Susan draws on her academic knowledge and professional expertise to explore themes such as stakeholder relations, inclusive leadership, board dynamics, and emotional intelligence, bringing academic theory into real-life action. Whether you're a parent just entering your first PTA meeting, a teacher looking to understand family engagement, a school leader seeking to build stronger relationships with families, or someone who's ever doubted the value of ""just being a parent,"" this book offers validation, encouragement, and a roadmap for meaningful, lasting impact. Inside, you'll discover: The behind-the-scenes reality of PTA leadership, including conflict resolution, recruitment, and burnout. The importance of community building in school environments Strategies for inclusive leadership that welcome diverse voices and experiences How to turn a minor role into a significant movement-and why your presence matters more than you think Reflections on motherhood, identity, and public service, grounded in personal truth. ""Beyond the Bake Sale"" is more than a how-to-it's a call to action. Susan writes with heart, humor, and unapologetic honesty, encouraging others to redefine leadership on their terms. She challenges outdated perceptions of the PTA and pains a new vision-one in which parents are not just helpers, but powerful change agents at the intersection of education, family, and community. As the 2024 Woman of Distinction for New York State Assembly District 22, Susan continues to inspire others to serve with purpose and courage. Her voice resonates with mothers, educators, policy leaders, and everyday advocates alike. Ultimately, ""Beyond the Bake Sale"" is about reclaiming leadership, especially for those who never saw themselves as leaders. It's about creating space, demanding better, and knowing that change often starts with the people closest to the problem. This is not just a book about PTA. It's a book about power, purpose, and what happens when one parent says yes-and keeps showing up.

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Susan Saint-Joy is a dynamic leader, educator, and advocate whose journey embodies the spirit of service and empowerment. As the principal consultant of Community Joy, LLC, she channels her passion into helping communities thrive through strategic planning, inclusive engagement, and transformative leadership. A former PTA president of Floral Park Bellerose School, Susan draws from lived experience to amplify the often-unseen work of parent leadership. Her book, ""Beyond the Bake Sale: The True Calling of a PTA President,"" is both a testament to the strength of grassroots leadership and a guide for those seeking to lead with heart. With over fifteen years of service as a special education teacher for the New York Board of Education, Susan has remained a tireless advocate for students, families, and equity in education. She currently shared her insights in the classroom as an adjunct professor in psychology and political science while advancing her empirical research as a doctoral candidate in management. Her academic and professional pursuits are grounded in a mission to elevate everyday leaders and create inclusive systems of change. Susan was named a 2024 Woman of Distinction by the New York State Assembly, where she continues to represent the voices of parents and educators across state and local platforms. Her platforms are dedicated to inspiring thousands to embrace their journey, honor their growth, and lead with authenticity. Above all, Susan is a proud mother of two boys and a believer that leadership begins at home, in schools, and in the communities we call our home. Her life's work is dedicated to showing others that purpose, joy, and impact can all grow from the courage to step up and serve.

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