Who We Are

Our Mission

To encourage and support a positive school environment for our students, staff, families, and community as we strive to be advocates for programs and policies that nurture youth and education.

We are so excited you decided to check out our school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA). As PTA President, we have made it our goal to continue to support an inclusive, welcoming, inspirational, and fun group of parents, caregivers, and teachers. Our hope is that we can all work together to support the growth of our students by enhancing their school experience.

The best part of being in the PTA is that you get to decide how involved you are. You can attend one meeting or all of them, volunteering is optional and there are so many opportunities. Most importantly you get to be the voice for your student.

If there are any questions you have or barriers to being as involved as you would like, please feel free to reach out.

2025-2026 Executive Board

Vanessa Bias, President

Although new to the Rochester area, Vanessa spent many summers in Hayfield growing up and enjoyed visiting my grandpa's farm. She's a busy mom of five children, and currently has a first and second grader attending Longfellow. In her free time, she loves being outdoors, either hiking or spending time with their family horse. She also enjoys reading, doing puzzles and bowling.

Why PTA?

"As a mom to an adult child, I realize how quickly this time flies by. I want to foster a strong parent-teacher relationship to enhance my children's learning experience, which I believe can contribute to a lifelong love of learning. I also believe that positive change begins at the most foundational level by investing time in our community."

Annamarie Erlbacher, Vice President

Annamarie Erlbacher has called Rochester, Minnesota home for many years. She is the mother of three children – Aubrey (8th grade), MaKayla (5th grade), and Ben (1st grade) – and is actively involved in their many activities.

In her free time, Annamarie enjoys gardening, sewing, knitting, and tackling creative projects that are often inspired by her latest Pinterest find.

Why PTA?

"I joined the PTA to be more involved in my kids’ school, connect with other families, and help plan fun activities for students and staff. I love being part of something that brings joy and community to our school."

Katrina Jorgensen, Secretary

Katrina is a Southeast Minnesota native who moved to Rochester with her husband, Tony, in 2012. She’s a proud mom of a Longfellow fourth grader. As a family, they love traveling, exploring the outdoors, trying new foods, building LEGO creations, and reading together.

Why PTA?

Katrina values the PTA because it gives her an opportunity to actively support and uplift the school community that plays such a vital role in our children’s lives. She’s committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every family feels represented and valued. Passionate about supporting teachers and staff for the incredible work they do each day, Katrina hopes to contribute to meaningful efforts that strengthen connections among staff, students, and families.

Stephanie Cunningham, Treasurer

Stephanie and her family moved to Rochester in 2015. She is the proud mom of Ava, who is a 1st grader. In their free time, you’ll find them hiking or traveling, always looking for their next adventure. Though they now call Rochester home, they still hold a special place in their hearts for Wisconsin, cheering on the Brewers, Badgers, and Packers. Alongside her role as a swim mom and dance mom, their family keeps busy with a variety of activities that keep us connected and moving.

Why PTA?

Stephanie decided to join the PTA board because, as a mom of an only child, she wanted to be more involved in her daughter’s elementary school experience. She realized that she could contribute more meaningfully than just taking on a few volunteer shifts. Additionally, after hearing from Kerri Neil and Acacia about how welcoming and supportive the PTA environment is, she felt excited to jump in and be an active part of the school community.

Your PTA. Your Impact. Join Us.

Our PTA committees cover everything from events and fundraising to wellness and inclusion—there’s something for everyone. Click the link to explore open roles and find a way to plug in that fits your time and interests. Have questions or want to learn more?

Email us anytime at info@longfellowelementarypta.com.

Communications and Outreach