Allow me to introduce myself

There’s no profession on earth like teaching. There’s no other critical role as parenting. Both demand time, attention, and nurturing for the children in our sphere. I'm a mom of four-two sons and two daughters. Of course, each one has their own personality, preferences, you name it. It hasn't been easy raising them -especiallly through the years as a single mom, but.... life happens and must go on. Trust me- lots to share regarding those years forthcoming. Smile. Though it should be common knowledge, both educators and parents have a vested common goal but in reality, those relationships fall in a range where interactions can be tricky to navigate. I’ve seen lack, underfunding and serious problems effecting academic (and social emotional) progress in communities not due to their "acceptance" of an 'underserved' designation but an ignorance or innocence of how the "system" works. It's not their fault that it functions in that method either.

On the surface, the “new” building looked like it had "everything" for its student population but a deeper probe into the school culture and community told a different story. One hint were the behaviors and how students themselves felt their education mattered. The degree to which they invested in their own learning as they matriculated in higher grades is an eye opener. The data shows that the increase in Black and Latino student suspensions and expulsions is a REALITY. Younger children are being arrested --at school-- as young as 6 years old. It isn’t just a coincide. There are many adults which contribute to this process when you look at such actions. The "pre-k-prison pipeline" is a reality that needs national intervention with urgency. Neither is it a "myth" that teacher churn exists and that there is a shortage of diverse teachers.

The true mirror for me, through the years, was the fact that as I engaged with parents and caregivers, I could feel they wanted the absolute BEST for their children. It didn't matter their socioeconomic or ethnic background or English proficiency in verbalizing it to me. I could feel and see it in their eyes. Of course, at times, through the years, I've had some rough meetings, lengthy, angry phone calls, and even “hang ups” (all future blog posts) but I just breathed through them-and said,"Well, in time, they’ll see I just want the BEST for their child/teen." I waited for some time to pass and found another way to engage with them again.

So, essentially this blog is birthed from my own experiences with parental pains, and feeling the pains from parents in the communities I have served. My colleagues would ask me to host parenting workshops (which I have) and then outright suggest that I write a book from my own activities with my children. This merging of my mom’s influence ( a retired NYC counselor) , my educator “insights” and my parenting instincts have merged to acknowledge those who feel as “outsiders” in this public education terrain. It has no compass or true GPS and many get lost in their navigation.

I don’t want another parent at a loss or feeling alone on their journey or lying awake at night wondering, “Did I handle that conversation right?” as they end another parent teacher conference or call or receive some letter which requires "interpretation" which leaves them with more questions about their child's development.

As I write this, our nation is in debate over #schoolsreopening due to co-vid 19, and school landscapes are under a transformation to keep students and staff safe. I, like most parents have breathed through the milestone of my daughters’ 18th birthday and with her being a high school #Classof2020 graduate with a socially distanced “drive up” ceremony while she was socially distanced from ME. What a challenge!

I tweeted that they are the resilient ones--and special. Period. As with this new situation, I’m still being “pushed” in my parenting, so our growth never truly ends...it just transforms. I had such elaborate graduation party plans for her (my youngest) and when the reality that none of those traditions would occur, I slowly seeped into an altered atmosphere and I learned a new level of “acceptance” for my sanity. This is the similar push for my future "guidebook." The challenge is to find your parental balance and to know when new situations are a matter of acceptance and when you should “pivot and push” for the “non-negotiables,” such as educational equity, meeting the needs of special learners, finding suitable accomodations, or just getting the right supplies during virtual learning environments when hotspots and technology acess isn’t the same across the nation.

All education leaders and school staff must create spaces for transparency and trust. The problem is that most American policy makers aren't educators and that is where education gets "political."

I hope to get to know you and you know me, and support your parental engagement because you- (we) are the experts of our children, you (we) have a voice, and we want the absolute best for them. I'll share my stories of advocacy for my families, and my own family. We, in education, owe that to you as we share the precious time cultivating your child’s minds, hopes, and dreams until they matriculate onto their greatness.

#ParentConnection #Parentingadvice #ThursdayThoughts