By Dr. Mya T. Bowen, Ed. D, MBA, MSPA
Dear Hartford Parents:
I want you to know that you are tremendously valuable, and your voice is necessary in education environments, from the school to Board of Education (BOE) meetings and beyond. You are cordially invited to have your rightful seat at the table. With this invitation, I offer you some perspectives to consider as you review your already busy schedule to make accommodations to attend upcoming meetings at regularly scheduled school and board meetings, and if possible unscheduled visits to your child’s school.
From birth parents are their child’s first influencers from education and beyond. Today represents a good time to reflect on the engagement of parents in their child’s education. Let me offer some questions, models, and solutions for consideration regarding parent engagement.
The following are some thought provoking questions for consideration:
1. What does a quality education look like from your perspective for Hartford?
2. What is the status of parent engagement in Hartford?
3. What parent engagement look like in Hartford?
4. What influences school experiences between parents, teachers, and principals in Hartford?
5. What approaches are being used to build trust between parents, teachers, and principals? schools?
As a parent, you most likely have education-based needs and expectations for your child or children. I would like you to consider the following as an option to establish parent engagement through a concept that I have conceptualized as The Parent, Teacher, Principal, and Community Agencies (TPTPCA) Model, where collaboration establishes the following outcomes in home, school, and, if (and when) possible, community-based environments (and beyond) by:
• Sending children consistent messages about their behavior;
• Reinforcing similar learning experiences in the classroom and at home;
• Assessing the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of children;
• Providing support for children’s physical and socio-emotional needs;
• Providing cultural learning experiences by using interactive technologies to cooperate with other teachers within and outside the city (teacher specific) (pg. 47);
• Working together to plan and implement policies that ensure all children receive a quality education (school administrator, teacher and parent group specific) (pg. 47);
• Supporting the well-being of children and families through social, health, sanitation, recreational and protective services; offering ongoing cultural and artistic events that enrich human lives and reinforces a sense of community identity (community specific) (pg. 48);
• Passing legislation that takes into account the diversity of community life (local, state, and federal government specific) (pg. 48);
• Disseminating consistent and positive messages about “national values” and customs through the media, community events and classroom lessons to children (pg. 48);
• Promoting the respect of the values and customs of all cultures within and outside the classroom and home to children (children focus) (pg. 48);
• Teaching democratic principles through social studies curriculum, use of respectful behavior, management practices, and daily routines such as the morning pledge of allegiance (children focus) (pg. 48); and
• Teaching the value of healthy self-expression through literature, dance, art and music (children focus) (pg. 48).
In conclusion, now is a good time to be, rightfully, seated at the table to have much needed discussions regarding a quality education for the children whereby solutions are implemented to address successful achievement of shared education goals in Hartford. I agree with the following sentiment shared by J. Stan McCauley, President of the Greater Hartford African American Alliance, “We cannot afford NOT to work together!!!” The children are our future. As adults, let us model successful collaborations and partnerships for our children, placing their interests at the forefront for their sakes because The Children Are Watching Us, which means our success turns into their success.
I can be reached for response to this invitation via email at drmyatbowen2078@icloud.com.
