2026-2027 Parent Board of Directors

Number of Children at Highland: One

Year Joined Highland: 2019

Year Board Term Began: August 2022

Professional Background: Mikaya Clark and her husband Jermaine are the parents of Kaydence, Lower Elementary student at Highland and their 23-year-old daughter Alex;  who also can be found from time to time volunteering at Highland. Mikaya attended Mount Mary College where she obtained her BA in communication and business management. Mikaya later attended Concordia University for her MBA. Mikaya works at BMO Bank and has been with the company for 11 years. Her current role is a Strategic Initiatives Manager for the Consumer Lending Department. At Highland you can find Mikaya volunteering as a Troop Leader for Girl Scouts and filling in wherever needed for events and programs. Outside of Highland, Mikaya volunteers within the various organizations she’s a member of.

Number of Children at Highland: Two

Year Family Joined Highland: 2021

Year Board Term Began: 2025

As a parent of two children at Highland Community School, I am invested in educational experiences that will prepare all Highland children for fulfilling lives. Schools can be places for profound transformation, and I believe in the community of educators at Highland who provide the care, guidance, and encouragement that help our children engage in such transformative change. Being raised by parents who were deeply involved in public education (one as a school district comptroller and one as a K-6 PE and health teacher), I value the ways public education supports our communities and broader society. As a parent and educator, I strive to live in the tensions of various competing values – structure and freedom; support and challenge; diversity and communal identity.

Professionally, I am also an educator at Marquette University where I focus on youth leadership development for a more just world. This emphasis in my work helps me to understand pathways for young ones to engage in meaningful change in their communities. At the same time, it challenges me to identify ways that I can spark and support positive change through my work in communities.

Number of Children at Highland: Two

Year Joined Highland Family: 2019

Year Board Term Began: August 2022

Brenda has two children at Highland, Lola and Lenny. Since joining Highland, Brenda has watched Lola blossom into a kind, curious and confident person, and she knows that Highland has helped shape those qualities. Brenda can’t wait to be more involved in the Highland Community. Brenda lives in Washington Heights, and she is in love with her neighborhood. She will never move! She volunteers on the Washington Park Wednesdays committee because live music in the park is one of her favorite events of the year. Brenda has worked for the Marcus Corporation in the hotel business for 15 years. She is currently the Director of Food and Beverage at the Pfister Hotel, and she absolutely loves her job and enjoys going to work every day and taking care of people. Brenda enjoys being a member of Professional Dimensions, a women’s professional association in Milwaukee, where she has the privilege of being surrounded by amazing mentors.

Number of Children at Highland: One

Year Joined Highland Family: 2017

Year Board Term Began: August 2024

Rashonda is the Coordinator of Prevention Advocacy at The Parenting Network, in Milwaukee. She and her team provide parent education and support to families across the state. Rashonda holds both a B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies, and a Master of Public Health, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Rashonda loves being an active member of the Highland community, from chaperoning field trips to staffing resource tables at Highland events.  Rashonda’s goals for the board include: ensuring that both students and their parents feel supported along their Highland journey, as well as continuing to ensure that all students feel supported within the Highland community.

Number of Children at Highland: Two

Year Joined Highland Family: 2016

Year Board Term Began: August 2024

Tim Vargo was born and raised in Milwaukee and attended MPS. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in biology, with a research focus on tropical bird communities. For 23 years, he directed urban wildlife research at the Urban Ecology Center, where he was particularly focused on the organization’s Equity, Diversity, and Justice initiatives and the democratization of science. He was a founding member of the international Citizen Science Association and served as President of the Board for the Friends of Cedarburg Bog, where he oversaw a strategic planning initiative. He enjoys being outside with his family and friends – camping, hiking, biking, and roller skating – though a good board game indoors also brings joy. He served as a skating referee with the Brew City Bruisers under the alter ego Citizen Defiance.

Tim has two children at Highland. He loves the school’s family-centered, parent-involved community and holds the daily pick-up and drop-off sacred, using it as a chance to check in with teachers, other parents, and students. He is deeply invested in the growth and support of his children and their classmates, and he directs his energy toward Highland through the Parent Board and by chaperoning as many field trips as possible. He brings experience helping communities strengthen and become more sustainable, and he most looks forward to listening to, and helping, our amazing community of teachers, staff, and students get the resources they need to thrive.

Number of Children at Highland: Two

Year Family Joined Highland: 2020

Year Board Term Began: 2025

I am Suavè Kyles, parent of two amazing daughters that attend Highland. In the Fall of 2025, Elani will be a fourth grader in Ms. Megan class. Eliza will be entering children’s house but we have not received her placement information as of yet. I am currently a Registered Nurse with a speciality in hospice. I recently decided to return to school to obtain my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate as I have a strong passion for psych as well. When I’m not being the busy afterschool school mom that many know me to be, I enjoy spending time in nature (walks, boat rides, sitting by waterfalls and reading). I’m an active parent in the Highland community. Whether it’s being a field trip chaperone, a Girl Scout helping hand and troop captain or signing up for activities to earn parent hours.

Number of Children at Highland: One

Year Joined Highland Family: 2024

Year Board Term Began: August 2026

Kara Coleman is a Certified Public Accountant and Chief Financial Officer at Penfield Children’s Center, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit, where she leads finance, operations, and strategic planning. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit financial management, she brings expertise in budgeting, audit oversight, grant compliance, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

Kara is passionate about ensuring that mission-driven organizations have the financial foundation they need to thrive, and she believes that starts with strong, informed governance. She is committed to bringing that same philosophy and care to Highland Community School, where her daughter will be entering K4 in Fall 2026. As a board member, Kara hopes to support Highland’s financial stewardship so that every family in the community can count on a school that is stable, well-resourced, and built to last.

Number of Children at Highland: Two

Year Joined Highland Family: 2020

Year Board Term Began: August 2026

My name is Stephanie Copeland, and I am an HCS parent of Turner and Albert (Albie), who will be in 3rd and 1st grades, respectively, in Fall 2026. Professionally, I serve as a Director of Talent Development, where I focus on leadership growth, coaching, organizational learning, and building strong, relationship-centered cultures. I’m interested in serving on the Parent Board because I care deeply about Highland’s community and want to help strengthen the partnership among families, educators, and school leadership. I bring both professional experience and personal perspective, including familiarity with neurodivergence, gifted and talented needs, learning differences, and the experiences of non-traditional families. I bring a collaborative, thoughtful, and practical voice to the Board, with a commitment to listening well, asking good questions, following through, and helping Highland remain a welcoming, student-centered place where children, families, and staff can thrive. 

Number of Children at Highland: One

Year Joined Highland Family: 2023

Year Board Term Began: August 2026

Melvin Guyton is a proud parent and active member of our community, passionate about supporting students and helping our schools thrive. With my daughter entering first grade at the school, this opportunity is both personal and meaningful to me. As a youth leader and church board member, I have had the privilege of working closely with and counseling young people, while also connecting with families and supporting their growth. These experiences have shaped my ability to listen, build relationships, and serve with empathy. In my professional role, I manage commercial properties, overseeing budgets, operations, and long-term planning, which has strengthened my ability to make responsible, thoughtful decisions. I would be honored to serve on the school board and contribute to a strong, supportive future for all students.

Number of Children at Highland: Three

Year Joined Highland Family: 2019

Year Board Term Began: August 2026

My name is Priscilla Haynes, and I am the parent of three Highland students: Keelan, who will be in 5th grade, Noel, who will be in 3rd grade, and Saedra, who will be in 1st grade in Fall 2026. I work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and mental health therapist, where I help individuals overcome challenges, build stability, and work toward meaningful goals.

As a Highland parent, I stay actively involved through volunteering, field trips, school events, and family activities throughout the year. I am passionate about strong schools, family engagement, and creating environments where every child feels supported and able to succeed. I want to serve on the Board because I care deeply about Highland’s future and believe in thoughtful leadership, accountability, and strong community partnerships. I would be honored to help ensure Highland continues to grow as a safe, inclusive, and student-centered school community.