Since 2001, IMPACT has worked in Silver Spring elementary schools to increase parent involvement, empowerment, and leadership. Recognizing that relationships between parents and teachers are critical for children’s achievement, we build new connections between school and home to create open communication, mutual respect, and common expectations of children.

Many parents in our community have different cultural understandings around education, as well as a variety of barriers to developing relationships. Some parents in our network requested a more intentional way to work with teachers, increase their understanding of the school system, and deepen their appreciation of what goes on in the classroom. These parents also believed that they could build the capacity to serve as teacher aides or paraeducators.

In response, we designed the Parent Educators program, an 8-month empowerment and skill-building experience that supports diverse parents in becoming teaching assistants and developing strong relationships with teachers. Our parents work at least two days/week in the Commonweal Foundation’s after-school literacy program in Montgomery County Public Schools.

Parents build enduring partnerships with lead teachers and strengthen their relationship to the school. They also take part in bi-weekly trainings in personal empowerment and workforce skills on the following topics:

• Time management skills
• Active listening, and giving/receiving feedback
• Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator and analysis
• Reflection and assessment of classroom work
• Creating a career plan
• Writing a resume
• Interviewing skill
• Being successful in the workplace