Moore recognized for work with children, schools

WASILLA -- The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District has chosen Kris Moore, a Goose Bay Elementary School parent, as the 2003-2004 volunteer of the year. Moore is the founder of Valley Voices for Children, a grassroots group that played an instrumental role in the increase of state funding for education this year. Her appointment was announced at Wednesday's school board meeting. Moore said she is very surprised and honored by the recognition.

"I really don't feel like I've done anything extraordinary, it's the people who responded to what I did that are extraordinary," Moore said. "Basically, this has been my life. I don't see this as a volunteer job -- it's who I am; it's what I do."

Moore created Voices for Children when her oldest child enrolled in Head Start in 1996. Among her numerous volunteer jobs, Moore has served as the Alaska Head Start Association president, she was involved with the local Head Start board of directors and policy committee, she chaired a regional Head Start Association conference and has served on the state Parent Teacher Association Board of Managers for the past two years. Voices for Children became Valley Voices for Children this school year, when Moore and a group of other local parents began rallying for adequate funding from the state legislature. The group is now part of a newly formed alliance of child advocacy groups from across the state, appropriately named Alaska Voices for Children.

"I feel inspired, because I don't think I did a whole lot compared to my vision, and people are already excited," Moore said. "I cant wait to bring parents on the ride with me, and it will be a fun ride."

School district spokesperson Kim Floyd said Moore was more than deserving of this year's award. Volunteers were nominated from each school, and all nominees were recognized at the meeting, before Moore was recognized as the volunteer of the year from the nominees.

"With the coordination of Valley Voices for Children and what that meant for education statewide, plus giving parents a chance to be involved in that vein of education, Kris deserves a lot of thanks," Floyd said.

But in the end, Moore said it's her volunteer work in the classroom that really matters -- she does the rest to make sure that her kids can have the best education possible.

"Goose Bay is my heart," Moore said.

The next step for Moore is a VVC-sponsored town meeting at Wasilla High School on June 14, with a meet and greet from 5:30-6 p.m. and a question-and-answer session from 6-8 p.m. Moore has invited local state representatives to attend the meeting. She is also helping coordinate an AVC volunteer training event slated for later this summer.

"I'm just excited for what's next," Moore said.

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.