In 2011, long-time Board Member of The Palapa Society, Donna Viglione, introduced The Palapa Society’s first intern, Jayna Schweitzer. Jayna had grown up visiting her grandparents in Todos Santos and had an interest working
in education. Jayna became a teacher at the Puente (Bridge to English) program for children, then Assistant to Puente Director Serena Saltzman, and later was promoted to Puente Director when Serena took on a new role. Jayna’s role for the past two years was the Executive Director of Programs and Facilities.
In her many roles at Puente, Jayna brought dedication and enthusiasm. She developed the children’s summer program into a popular summer day camp that included arts and crafts focused on ecology and environmental protection. She also developed a water safety course with Mario’s Surf School.
In 2015, Jayna became Secretary and member of the Education Committee as it began to design The Palapa School and its programming. Her participation and leadership on key issues of construction, staffing, and program development helped shape The Palapa School. Jayna’s leadership of staff recruitment efforts has been especially important — we can thank her for her assessments of candidates which were always key to our decision making.
(Continued from September Newsletter) Jayna helped oversee the construction of The Palapa Learning Center, and as Puente Director at the new location, increased enrollment to 150 students.
Jayna’s duties expanded as she helped facilitate new community partnerships for student volunteer opportunities. She also created the school’s Leadership Program in partnership with Palapa Board member Ardice Farrow.
Throughout Jayna’s 10 years at The Palapa, Jayna is known for her devotion to all students and their parents, as well as her commitment to the creation of The Palapa School. The Palapa’s core value of service to the community has been embodied in Jayna, and her work has laid a strong foundation for Palapa’s programs to continue to grow and thrive.
