ToquiNotes: One of State's Top Educational Positions Quietly and Effectively Held by Rose Audia Rossana
By Jeff Toquinto on August 31, 2024 from ToquiNotes
On May 25, 2017, ground was broken on the new Johnson Elementary School that would – a little more than a year later – replace its dilapidated and mold-filled predecessor. It was the official beginning of the state-of-the-art grade school nestled in the heart of Bridgeport.
The actual process, however, began years prior. It involved Harrison County School officials, local elected officials, state leaders, and others. Included in that list of others were members of the Johnson Elementary Parent Teacher Association, or as most call it, the PTA.
And one of those members who advocated within that group was Bridgeport resident Rose Audia Rossana. Little did she know at the time, 
but another process was under way at the same time.
but another process was under way at the same time.
Rossana’s passion for helping with children at Johnson and seeing what advocacy could do would put her in a current position some may not know about. For the past several years, Rossana has quietly (as she prefers) and effectively, been the president of the West Virginia Parent Teacher Association.
She is actually in the midst of her third two-year term as the elected president. She will be in that role until June 30, 2025, and if elected again, likely longer.
For those thinking this is a ceremonial or fluffy position, you would be woefully off in that line of thinking. Before going there, however, a little rewind on just how she went from Liberty High School student, Bridgeport resident, wife of Doug Rossana, and mother to Michael and Mitchell, to a state leader on the education front.
“I actually got involved, I’m thinking about 2008, when Michael started kindergarten,” said Rossana of her foray into the PTA. “At that time there was a huge group of people providing activities and support for the school and I wanted to be part of that to make sure my kids had
a valuable experience. Meeting other parents and families of those going to school with my children was also one of the main reasons to take part.”
a valuable experience. Meeting other parents and families of those going to school with my children was also one of the main reasons to take part.”
She served on the JES PTA for eight years. Eventually, she would serve as the president of the organization and was heavily involved with the rest of the group in trying to find a way to create a new Johnson Elementary School.
“There were issues with water and mold and that led to health problems such as asthma,” she said. “You had kids taking gym class in the hallway, so we were looking at a unique time and situation that needed a solution. I was so passionate about dealing with it and working with so many helping hands trying to make a difference.”
Eventually, the advocacy from the JES PTA turned into one of several pieces of the puzzle that led to millions in dollars being awarded by the West Virginia School Building Authority for a new JES.
While the transition between leveling the old JES and building the new JES took time, the transition for Rossana between JES PTA and 
State PTA took no time.
State PTA took no time.
In short order, Rossana morphed from the Johnson PTA into the West Virginia PTA. It happened at a state convention where the Johnson PTA was being honored.
“I was nominated by the person was coming in as president at that time and submitted an application,” said Rossana.
The nomination proved successful. Rossana may not have known it but was on her way up the totem pole with the initial stop as the regional director for PTAs in North Central West Virginia.
“In the position, I was the point of contact to the state board for Harrison County all the way up to Preston County and over to Randolph County,” said Rossana. “I was a liaison for all of that PTAs to the state board.”
Eventually, about five years ago and with little fanfare, Rossana was nominated for, and elected as, the state president. And heading into her sixth year, she is still serving in that role.
Understand, holding down the post of president of the West Virginia Parent Teacher Association still holds the importance of advocacy for children that drew her into the PTA initially. Now, however, she is working much higher up the educational food chain.
“Our group works very closely with the State Department of Education to the point where I work close and have developed a good relationship with the state superintendent,” she said. “Those duties take me on occasion to Charleston where we may work with their finance team on certain matters, provide input on items of importance, and look at things revolving around how issues being considered impact families. The good news is that the department looks at us as a partner.”
Charleston and state education generally involves the West Virginia Legislature. And in many cases, it also involves the state’s elected officials in Congress.
“We put out our group’s position on issues that impact children, and we have had the ability to accomplish important things. We were able to partner with federal legislators and enact the first child bullying law in West Virginia,” said Rossana. “We were actually the second state in the country to Maryland to do that.”
Rossana often serves as the mouthpiece when providing what the West Virginia Parent Teacher Association takes as a position on matters to both legislative parties in West Virginia and that nation’s capital. She said the state PTA works on position statements for every school, serves on various committees, works with groups on issues impacting children such as mental health, and the entire spectrum of educational matters.
There is one really cool thing about her efforts – and it is not the least bit surprising. Rossana’s time on these critical matters is given for free.
“It’s a volunteer position,” she said. “I never got into this looking for accolades. I got into this because I’m very passionate about education and hoping to make a difference.”
She will continue to do that until at least the end of June next year. She will continue to work in Charleston as well as work on occasion in Washington, D.C. with Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin, as well as his replacement, and any other elected official.
At the federal level, she said it is important to let the elected leadership know what the impact of passes or proposed legislation in West 
Virginia, but how it impacts different sectors of the state.
Virginia, but how it impacts different sectors of the state.
“Where you live will determine the impact. What may impact Martinsburg a certain way may not impact Huntington in the same way, and we have to relay that,” said Rossana. “We have to relay that to our elected officials at the national, state, and local levels, and we have to relay that to our parents. We also have to get that information out to those who no longer have kids in school and let them know why education is still important to them and the state’s quality of life.”
Listening to Rossana talk, two things become clear. First, her well-spoken thoughts come from a place of sincerity. And two, the passion oozes from her voice. Because of that, she still believes she has more years to give.
“It’s something I want to continue, and partially because I’m volunteering. Organizations such as the local PTAs are losing volunteers,” she said. “It’s vital we have a membership that can be a voice for that child who needs a voice. It’s really important local PTA membership grows with parents of students because the children see their parents involved, and they do better in school. Kids, particularly at the earliest levels, are excited when they see their parents at school events.
“Parental involvement is a steppingstone for getting education started on the right foot because if they don’t have a good experience when they’re young, it increases the chances of things being more difficult in middle school and high school,” she continued. “That’s why I’m doing this. I know I can’t do it forever, but I want to stay involved and want to make a difference.”
Rest easy Rose. You have made and will continue to make a difference in your own way. Quietly and effectively.
Editor's Note: Top phot shows Rose Audia Rossana addressing the West Virginia Legislature during a public hearing. In the second photo, Audia, right, is at the National PTA State Presidents meeting. She is then shown with Senator Joe Manchin and Senator Shelley Moore Capito, in the next two photos. In the bottom, from left, is husband Doug, son Michael, Rose, and son Mitchell. All photos courtesy of Rose Audia Rossana.
Leave a Comment
Log in or create an account to post a comment.