About our organization
Meet our leaders and learn more about our mission
What does PACE stand for?
Because Kings Beach Elementary is a bilingual school, it was important to build a PTO that works in both English and Spanish. So PACE stands for the same thing in both languages:
Parents
Advocating for our
Community’s
Education
Padres
Apoyando la
Comunidad
Escolar
We serve the Kings Beach Elementary community
Located on beautiful Lake Tahoe, California
Meet the board
Our volunteers are made up of teachers, parents, guardians, and staff at KBE.
Jenni Dewald
KBE PRINCIPAL
Jenni’s career in education started while working in an orphanage in Bolivia. She was initially interested in international aid work, however, the children won her heart and shifted her focus to education. Jenni has taught children at bilingual schools in LA, Costa Rica, and here at KBE and Truckee Elementary. After earning a Masters in Educational Leadership, Jenni was the Assistant Principal of Alder Creek Middle School for five years and was Coordinator of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the district. Jenni returned to KBE as principal in 2022.
Mari Collins Harris
SECRETARY
Mari is a passionate entrepreneur and devoted mother of 3 young children, all of whom attend KBE. She is the founder of Ketshop, an app that empowers young kids to manage their own money She is on the board of several non-profits focused on education and youth development. Mari loves telling stories and making things with her hands.
Beth Kivo
EVENT COORDINATOR
Beth is committed to enhancing the educational experience for all Kings Beach Elementary students while building a strong sense of community. As a board member, she enjoys collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a positive school environment for all. Beth volunteers in the classroom, for field trips, and works to support special educational programs. She finds value in PACE supported enriching assemblies, loves the bilingual program, and recognizes the importance of a well-rounded education. Her two daughters attend KBE elementary. When Beth is not at KBE, you may find her working as a certified wound and ostomy nurse, skiing, or swimming in a mountain lake.
Christine Ngai-Ryan
MVP
Christine Ngai Ryan is a third year PACE parent to two children at Kings Beach Elementary. Originally from Hong Kong, she came to Tahoe to work on her graduate research on climate change and aquatic invasive species and fell in love with the area and her husband. She has called Kings Beach home since 2009. As PACE event and program coordinator, she is thrilled to help organize events for our students and create fond memories of their elementary years.
Brooke Johnson
TREASURER
Brooke was born and raised in North Lake Tahoe and attended KBE in the early 90's! Her daughter is a third generation KBE student! She is passionate about being involved with the school and having valuable connections with the teachers, staff and students. Brooke loves the KBE community and is grateful to be a part of it all!
Meg Lally
EDUCATION INTEL
Meg Lally has been teaching since 2004, first in New Orleans and now at Alder Creek Middle School, where she teaches Reading Intervention and AVID Social Studies. She and her husband, Tim Schwarz (also an educator), moved to Tahoe in 2017 and are raising two KBE students. Meg loves being part of the KBE community and is excited to support PACE as a parent after many years in the classroom.
Lydia McAlindin
EVENT ORGANIZER
Lydia moved to the Reno/Tahoe area from the east coast in 2008. She has been with PACE since her son began KBE his Kindergarten year, he is currently in second grade. Lydia graduated college with a degree in Public Education, she taught in the public schools for a few years in Reno then moved to North Lake Tahoe to be a preschool and after school program teacher, as well as an outdoor education guide. She is passionate about the NLT community and grateful to be a part of it.
Jamie Lou Schwartz
TEACHER + STAFF LIASON
Jamie Schwartz is a teacher at Kings Beach Elementary and a parent of a Kings Beach student.
PACE meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm.
Join us to see what we’re working on!
IN PERSON
Meet in the parents’ lounge
(across from the KBE front office)
ONLINE
Join us virtually via
Google Meet