MEET OUR BOARD
Patricia Schappell, Founder and Chair
Trish Schappell volunteers and is responsible for the overall direction of The Kids’ Reading Room. After attending ABYDOS Reading Week in 2013, Schappell realized there was a need for all students to have access to books in order to learn to read. This realization has flourished into The Kids Reading Room, which changes lives every day. Schappell worked in education 29 years as a teacher, administrator, instructional specialist and retired from Spring Branch ISD as a Middle School Counselor in June 2023.
Trish Schappell volunteers and is responsible for the overall direction of The Kids’ Reading Room. After attending ABYDOS Reading Week in 2013, Schappell realized there was a need for all students to have access to books in order to learn to read. This realization has flourished into The Kids Reading Room, which changes lives every day. Schappell worked in education 29 years as a teacher, administrator, instructional specialist and retired from Spring Branch ISD as a Middle School Counselor in June 2023.
Catherine A. Le, Vice Chair
Catherine is a native Houstonian. She received her law degree from the City University of New York School of Law. She started her law practice over 10 years ago and is a solo practitioner. With an affinity for community work, she served as Past Chair and Board Member of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, former Board Member of Asian American Family Services, former Board Member of OCA-Greater Houston, and is proud to call herself an AmeriCorps alumna. She currently serves as a Board Member the Houston Housing Finance Corporation, volunteers with non-profits dedicated to animal rescue, and cherishes being a friend of and serving as a Board Member of the Kids’ Reading Room.
Catherine is a native Houstonian. She received her law degree from the City University of New York School of Law. She started her law practice over 10 years ago and is a solo practitioner. With an affinity for community work, she served as Past Chair and Board Member of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, former Board Member of Asian American Family Services, former Board Member of OCA-Greater Houston, and is proud to call herself an AmeriCorps alumna. She currently serves as a Board Member the Houston Housing Finance Corporation, volunteers with non-profits dedicated to animal rescue, and cherishes being a friend of and serving as a Board Member of the Kids’ Reading Room.
Vincent Schappell, Treasurer
Vince Schappell volunteers behind the scenes to streamline book donations, as well as provide overall organization. He received his degree in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is the founder of Health, Wealth & Happiness Toastmasters and has served in numerous officer roles on their board at various times. Today, Schappell has retired as the owner of All Prime Amusements, and spends some of his time volunteering for The Kids’ Reading Room.
Vince Schappell volunteers behind the scenes to streamline book donations, as well as provide overall organization. He received his degree in Chemical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is the founder of Health, Wealth & Happiness Toastmasters and has served in numerous officer roles on their board at various times. Today, Schappell has retired as the owner of All Prime Amusements, and spends some of his time volunteering for The Kids’ Reading Room.
Catherine Roth, Secretary
Cathy Roth has been an elementary school teacher for over 38 years, educating both kids and teachers along the way. She earned her BS in Elementary Education from Texas Christian University and her Masters in Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Houston Baptist University. Roth is a diamond level ABYDOS Literacy Institute Trainer and a Sue German Award recipient. Currently, Roth works in Spring Branch ISD as the Elementary Language Arts Lead Instructional Coach.
Cathy Roth has been an elementary school teacher for over 38 years, educating both kids and teachers along the way. She earned her BS in Elementary Education from Texas Christian University and her Masters in Education in Curriculum & Instruction from Houston Baptist University. Roth is a diamond level ABYDOS Literacy Institute Trainer and a Sue German Award recipient. Currently, Roth works in Spring Branch ISD as the Elementary Language Arts Lead Instructional Coach.
MEET OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Ravi Ratnala, Legal Advisor
Ravi began volunteering with Kids’ Reading Room in 2014. His full-time job is as principal of his law firm, where his practice consists primarily of representing clients in business and financial matters, including commercial and bankruptcy litigation. In addition to Kids’ Reading Room, he devotes a significant portion of his time to volunteering with other organizations, and to providing free and low-cost legal services to those in need; he has been a member of the Texas Pro Bono College for most of his legal career. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his wife and their dog, and in pursuit of his many hobbies, including cooking, motorsports, cycling, hiking, mountaineering, and generally doing anything else outdoors. |
Michelle Torres, Volunteer Coordinator
Besides volunteering with The Kids' Reading Room for a number of years, Michelle volunteers with several other organizations working with children. She is a Docent at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston leading weekly tours for Houston-area third graders and a mentor at Yellowstone Academy and Small Steps Nurturing Center. When not volunteering, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and three grown sons, as well as reading. |