PMFS Alumni Profile: Tina Korteland, Class of 2002

Now in her mid-thirties, Tina (she/they) still finds a direct and loving connection to the PMFS experience in every aspect of life. The most basic PMFS beliefs—fairness, inclusion, self-worth, and unconditional support—seem to have been foundational in Tina’s “finding my place” in both career and life.

 

To Tina, the time taken to teach little fingers to knit, little hands to juggle, little legs to unicycle and little hearts to know that they have the courage to board a plane to a foreign land at the ripe old age of 10, might just be some of the success skills needed later in one’s life. (Not to mention a heavy dose of “mediation” just for good measure!)

 

As a professional musician, playing everything from heavy metal (touring the country with the band Heavy Temple) to intimate Circle Music sessions at The Folk Factory in Mt. Airy, Tina is still quick to recall the moment that Frumi Cohen first placed a guitar in her hands at PMFS, as the beginning of it all. Having Frumi as a lifelong (now deeply missed) friend and mentor was truly another of the many PMFS anchors in Tina’s life.

 

And if you’re thinking that becoming a professional auto and motorcycle mechanic (currently an Assistant Shop Foreman at the groundbreaking Girls Auto Clinic) might not have any direct roots in a PMFS education—well, Tina would say, “Think again!”

 

Being encouraged to take a chance, to try something difficult and new, to believe that (even as a young child), your thoughts and opinions were still worthy of consideration, all played a part in Tina’s remarkable life experiences.

 

 

Our warmest thanks to Tina for sharing this story and for being such a great example of the many ways PMFS alumni touch our world.

If you'd like to re-connect or connect with Tina, you can reach her at sirentempest@gmail.com, or on Facebook or LinkedIn.