Rooted in Advocacy: Teresa’s Journey Through Parent Leadership Fellowship

Q: What first motivated you to apply for the Parent Leadership Fellowship (PLF)?

A: The opportunity came via my email from the Executive Director at the school where I was working. At the time, I was the Family Engagement Manager at Erie Elementary Charter School, where my children attended. I was very excited when the email came through asking if I would be interested in being nominated for the Fellowship because I was looking to develop my leadership and expertise in order to better support the parents with which I was working. I also had personal reasons for wanting to apply. I was hoping to gain confidence in myself and my abilities and I knew that I needed exposure and practice. In addition, I felt the need to connect with people like me. People who had faced struggles and challenges, but still wanted to bring hope and help others through advocacy work. I wanted to be understood. The Parent Leadership Fellowship seemed like the perfect opportunity!

Q: What was your experience like participating in PLF as a parent?

A: It was amazing and transformative!

Our cohort began during the pandemic, so it felt pretty significant. We knew what potential risks there were to meeting in person. There were protocols in place (same day testing, masks, social distancing) and we all agreed to meet in person when we accepted our invitations to join the Fellowship so I felt a certain honor to be a part of a group who made such a substantial commitment. Being together in the community was important for connection and we made it a priority.

The program launch really set the tone for our cohort. It was a family celebration and Session 1 combined. During brunch, we heard from K1C staff. The speeches were motivating and exciting. The staff was kind and encouraging. We were asked to start introducing ourselves to each other and connecting right away. I wouldn't need childcare to participate in the program, but my son was there because of the family aspect and I thought it was really impactful and supportive to have this option provided to us.

There are many moments that stood out for me during the program. One moment was when we learned about privilege. We talked about systematic oppression, our identities, and the different types of privilege. Then, we did an activity where we had to recognize our individual privileges given the context of our perceived identities by others in society. It was eye opening and helped me to understand things I had experienced in the past.

Another was when we went on a community outing to go see FANNIE: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer. We also went to dinner as a group. It was a great experience. The play was wonderful and the outing helped build connection and solidarity within the attendees.

I also want to share about something that happened organically just before our graduation ceremony. The Fellows met for one last time that morning and we were sitting in circle talking about our experience during the Fellowship. Somehow we got into a rich discussion on colorism, family, and the effects of things people have said to us in the past. It was another solidarity building moment, where we realized that both black and brown people share similar experiences and feelings when hurt by others, especially family."

Q: Was there a specific moment during PLF that shifted how you saw yourself as a leader or advocate? If so, what happened?  

A: There were a couple of moments, but one that was most meaningful happened during my interview. Nayda was asking about my advocacy experience and I didn't really think I had much. I told her some stories of times I had advocated for others and really didn't think it was a good amount or that they were strong stories. But Nayda told me that they were all great examples and that according to what I had shared, I was a powerful leader. It was a much needed validation as I often felt misunderstood in my life, due to toxic family systems, and eventually led me to change my perspective about myself. This exchange inspired me  to engage fully with the program and to begin to owning my leadership and advocacy skills. I felt seen and supported.

Q: How did PLF impact your confidence, skills, or perspective as a parent?

A: I have always struggled with self perception and was used to making myself small in certain spaces, especially spaces where there were decision makers or perceived authority figures. The continued reinforcement of the "powerful parent leader" message in addition to the supportive, encouraging environment that Nayda, Emani, the Fellows & the program design provided, put me on a path that continues to help me show up in spaces differently than I ever had. I have grown in leaps and bounds and PLF was the catalyst that put me on that path. I am so much more confident and continue to grow and learn every day. 

Q: What led you from being a PLF parent participant to joining the organization as staff?

A: I wasn't looking to leave my job at Erie, but was excited when I heard about the Community Engagement Coordinator opportunity. I enjoyed K1C's programming, aligned with their mission, and felt that the staff was full of kind and knowledgeable people. My cohort had recently graduated and I was looking for my next opportunity for personal & professional growth. However, after taking a look at the job requirements, I noticed that K1C was looking for a bilingual coordinator and so I decided not to apply as I didn't speak Spanish. Weeks later, I had a 2 - 1 with Nayda and another PLF Fellow. During our conversation, Nayda brought up the job opportunity and asked why neither of us had applied. She expressed that we were both great candidates and that they hadn't filled the spot yet. I told her I wasn't qualified and why. She was supportive and encouraging and told me I should still apply. I revised my resume that night and applied the next day. 

Q: Now that you support parents in your current role, how does your experience as a PLF participant shape the way you do your work?  

A: My experience as a PLF participant helps me consistently center the Fellow experience. We ask for feedback after every session to ensure they are learning, understand what they'd like to know more about, and discover how we can better support their leadership development. The PLF team also meets with Fellows 1:1 and in small groups via office hours and recap sessions. Our goal is to build relationship through accessibility and responsiveness. My experience helps me understand the intentionality behind the program design. It keeps me in a nurturing state of mind so I can encourage the parents and assist them on their education advocacy journey.

Q: What would you say to a parent who is considering applying to PLF this year?

A: Don't let this opportunity pass you by. Choose yourself and give yourself the opportunity to learn and grow within this Fellowship.