Learn how PAVE parent leaders have been PAVE-ing the way this fall!
Read as PAVE parent leaders share the 'WHY' behind their advocacy and passions.
PAVE-ING THE WAY!
The 2022-2023 programming year is well underway, and PAVE’s Parent Leader in Education (PLE) Board Members are working hard to ensure great schools for EVERY child in EVERY ward and community.
So far this fall, parent leaders have been:
Building informational knowledge and policy expertise by engaging in coffee chats and PLE Board meetings.
Leading the #Vote4DCKids campaign to ensure that DC voters are informed on HOW to vote, WHERE to vote, and WHO is on the ballot.
Hosting house meetings and building connections with community members and prospective PAVE parent leaders.
We know that you were first introduced to PAVE's 2022-2023 PLE Board Members in October 3rd's PAVE Post, but now it’s time to learn more about WHO they are, and WHY they do this work! For this reason we are SO EXCITED to share:
During the PLE Board application process, all parent leaders - returning and new - answered the same two questions:
Why do you do this work?
For whom do you do this work?
The answers to these two questions are the foundation of a person’s “Story of Self” - one of the three pillars of Marshall Ganz’s Public Narrative model along with the “Story of Us” and “Story of Now.” These three pillars are one of the many models that we use to guide our Community Organizing work alongside the parent leaders at PAVE.
The first step in the process of building a public narrative is to share what motivates each of us to make change as individuals: our Story of Self. Because we can’t work together if we don’t know why each of us is called to do this work!
THE POWER OF PARENT VOICES!
The diversity you will find amongst the parent leaders in PAVE's 2022-2023 PLE Board Storybook is just like what you’d find throughout DC: different wards, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, languages, and more. Yet one thing remains the same, the passion to fight not just for their children, but for ALL children in DC.
"As a PAVE parent leader, I have the power to express my voice and vision for my child's education, while advocating for their needs. My voice, opinion, and visions have power. As an advocate, I have the resources to be a policy expert, and understand how DC’s education system works, so that I understand how to promote change. Also, I’ve developed relationships with other DC parents and parent leaders that have the same goal of supporting all our kids. Ultimately, this work really proves the changes we’ve already helped make and can continue to make." -Citywide PLE and Ward 6 PLE Board member Cassandra Gentry
For whom do you do this work?
"I am advocating for this generation, the next, and all those that are to come! By putting in the work now, we are making changes that will make impacts for years!" -Ward 5 PLE Board member Queen Myrick
"I want to do this work for my family, especially my daughter. I also want to help other immigrant families. Ultimately, I want to have a better education system in DC to help our next generation of students and families." -Ward 5 PLE Board member Zulma Barrera
Please join us in giving our Citywide and Ward-based PLE Board members another big (virtual) round of applause and don't forget to checkout PAVE's 2022-2023 PLE Board Storybook!
