Photo from PIQE Retreat from PIQE website.
Parents gathered at a retreat with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) to address the importance of advocating for their children in the school system and the difference that resources can make. One parent, Teodora Mendoza, stated that once they get involved, it is a chain reaction of benefits for the child.
“When we use our voice to advocate for our sons or daughters, we’re not only changing the landscape directly for our families, but also our entire community. It’s all like a chain reaction: if a parent at a school meeting expresses the problem or situation they’re going through, perhaps another parent will identify with it and realize they’re not alone. And it’s at that moment that their voice connects with someone else, and then they unite as a community to achieve a common goal,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza added that the community can be powerful when they come together to share resources.
“Sharing information, supporting others, and standing together as a community creates real change. The impact of our voices is very powerful, and we can use them as a tool to advocate, inspire, and encourage others,” said Mendoza.
One barrier that Mendoza faced was having to communicate in a different language, adding that it is often easier to express feelings in one’s native language.
“I feel that one of the biggest barriers I’ve faced is language. Of course, you express your feelings and ideas better in your native language, and sometimes it’s difficult to find the right or appropriate words when speaking or advocating. As a mother, we do everything we can to give our children the best, and we overcome those fears. Thanks to PIQE and the ambassador program, I’ve been able to overcome that barrier a little. PIQE supports us tremendously, giving us the confidence that makes us feel truly important and that our voice, in any language, is valuable,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza spoke about having to learn a new educational system as well because it is so different from the one she knew in Mexico. She explained that she did all she could to find resources and learn the system to help her daughter.
“They talked to me about things like ESL, ELPAC, CAASPP, reclassification, and GPA—topics I knew nothing about at the time. My daughter has ADHD, and we also had many problems getting the help she needed. As a mother, you knock on every door necessary to help your children. I did my research and was able to talk to teachers and doctors to get the support she needed,” said Mendoza. “But when I took the Family Engagement class with PIQE, that’s when I was able to better understand all this information. At that moment, I felt like a whole new world of knowledge and hope was opening up to me.”
As a parent, Mendoza addressed her appreciation for the support given by the PIQE program.
“Thanks to PIQE and the Parent Ambassador program, I can say that I feel confident in supporting my daughters’ education, which has always been a priority for my family. And I’m sure my journey doesn’t end here; I will continue learning, staying informed, and preparing myself so I can advocate not only for my daughters but also for my community,” stated Menzoda.
Maria Elena Villalobos, a mother of eight children, attended the retreat and stated her life has been impacted by PIQE.
“For me, participating in the “Ambassador Parents” program on June 5th and 6th was very good because I learned a little more about how this new system works. Aside from mental health, how to reach more people on the platforms. I will continue learning since I have children at West High School, Curran Middle School, and Evergreen Elementary School,” said Villabos. “Each child is very different, and all the programs are very helpful. Therefore, I will continue to take every program the district offers to keep learning,” said Villabos.
According to Adolfo Lopez, Community engagement manager who leads the Parent Ambassador program network, the program is built to ensure that our families have what they need to succeed in education. Lopez focuses on taking the parents to the next step after they have participated in the programs.
“The parent ambassador network, they’re able to not only share their vision for their families, the realities of their communities, but also how all those folks in power making policy, ensuring that the budgets have enough funding for programming so that they know the realities of the community that they’re serving from the perspective of a parent,” Lopez stated.
PIQE is a program developed to help parents understand their children’s education requirements and make a difference in their lives, while connecting them Lopez expressed. The Parent Ambassador retreat was held for two days on June 5 and 6, in Bakersfield, where many came from across California to connect.
“We want parents to feel connected to other parents who are doing great work as they are in their community. This is a way to bring them together so that they can learn from each other,” said Lopez. “This parent ambassador retreat is a weekend opportunity for families that are in our network to learn new tools in their advocacy endeavors to continue to build a network with other parents so that they have a strongly unifying voice.”
