Meet the Staff: Kiara Quintanar

Kiara, middle, with her siblings. 

Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco is a small but mighty team. We are parents, community leaders, and public school advocates. Our staff represents a wide array of ages, languages, and countries of origin. One thing we share in common: our passion for public education as a foundation of a liveable city for everyone. 

This week, meet Kiara Quintanar, our Volunteer Coordinator and AmeriCorps VISTA.

About Kiara: 

I am very excited to join the PPS-SF team! I’m a recent graduate from Saint Mary’s College of California. I majored in Justice, Community, and Leadership and minored in Sociology. I see myself as a lifelong learner who is part of the large community that is working towards a more inclusive and equitable world! 

Why you choose to do this work:

As a Latina first-generation college student from the Bay Area, I am very connected to the experiences of the families and communities that we work with at PPS-SF. While working with students in the classroom, I noticed that supportive and engaged families are a necessary component for students’ academic success and excitement for school. I am proud to be part of bridging the gap so that elements such as language barriers do not limit families in their involvement in their child’s public school education. 

Fun fact about Kiara (outside of work):

I love to travel and learn about different cultures. In 2016, I studied abroad for a semester in Granada, Spain and in the beginning of 2018, I studied for a month in Cuernavaca, Mexico.

Quote:

"Be who you needed when you were younger."