Back In Session: The Low-Down on the PTA

School is back in session, and so are Parent-Teacher Associations , better known as the PTA. As a parent, former educator, and educational advocate, I find that the PTA is oftentimes disregarded and not seen for its huge impact on building better students and teachers. Growing up, all I saw was that my mom would visit the school once a month at night, her and the other parents would come up with fundraising ideas and programs. But when I became a mom of an elementary school-aged child, I realized that there is more to the PTA than putting on fundraisers and programs. The organization is a building block that serves as a financial resource and a champion for teachers and staff.

We know that our children need well-rounded nurturing that not only comes from school, but also the parents and community. The PTA serves as a bridge to the gap. Not only does it serve as meeting ground for all, but it finds ways to help all facets to come together in working with our children. In our society today, parents are so occupied in making ends meet to provide financially for their children, that they sometimes miss out on building them up academically. Oftentimes, the only communication that happens between a parent and a teacher is when the child is misbehaving or grades are failing – which should never be the only time to communicate. Did you know that the PTA can sponsor workshops for parents to learn tips on how to become more engaged with their children academically? Or they can host forums or virtual chats to find solutions to parental engagement? Or perhaps teacher-parent communication strategy brunches or lunches?

Being a part of the PTA benefits in nurturing even our educators. Providing goodies on holidays and Teacher Appreciation Day is not enough. They need motivation; and they need resources to be able to teach. Federal funding in some states are next to none, and without resources, it is difficult to reach every learning style of our children to make sure they are getting an equal and beneficial education. Our teachers also need additional training and preparation. And standardized testing? Well, you know we are in the age of it. Teachers need to be kept up-to-date on new teaching techniques, strategies, and requirements. Some may not realize this, but some, if not all, of those trainings cost money. Everyone knows teachers do not make six-figure salaries, and the responsibility of having to handle their own financial needs and trying to be proficient in their profession can be overwhelming. PTA members can use funds to provide stipends to after-school tutors or develop a volunteer classroom assistants program where there is not an assigned assistant, which can be a tremendous help to our educators so that they can focus on actually teaching.

The PTA can be a powerful force to develop resources to help with classroom discipline, teacher-student communication and relationship skills, academic performance training, and so much more. Public schools get a bad rap across the nation, but we all have a part to play in making it better. There is so much to do with and for the PTA, so have you joined your school’s local chapter? Is not your child worth it?

 

Educated Fools

I'm a Mississippi girl, although I've lived in other parts of the United States, and also Europe. But I consider myself a Mississippi girl, and I love Mississippi. Even in the midst of the negativity that sometimes - well, most times - is attached to this state, I wouldn't trade living here. The history is rich and the possibilities are endless.

One of my passions is education, and it goes farther than just educating our children, but also our adults. I decided to do this blog this morning, actually. I blog about various things, but never thought to share my thoughts about one of my greatest passions - which is education.

Soooo, a little about me: I started working in education when I was 17. I worked as an after-school daycare worker, and tutor. It was then that those children stole my heart, and I had been bitten by the teaching bug that was ingrained in me by my mother and my paternal grandmother. All of my life I've been surrounded by teachers. I have a cousin who is a principal, childhood church members who were teachers and very instrumental in my upbringing, as well as aunts who retired as teachers. Off and on, I've taught school, tutored, mentored, and trained for over 20 years. No matter how I've tried to get away from teaching, I've always found myself doing just that.

So, now at the age of 41, I just decided that I was going to do what I was purposed to do, and stop running from it. I realized I didn't have to sit in a classroom and actually "teach", but I could use my knowledge and wisdom and teach in other ways that I felt comfortable and more relatable.

Now that you've gotten to know me a little, now I can dig into this post and why I'm writing it. Although I love my state, I get frustrated from time to time on how it handles business when it comes to education. I remember my grandmother used to always talk about "educated fools." At the time, I had no clue what that meant, but it was funny to hear her say it. But the older I got, and the more involved I became, I realized exactly what she meant, and beyond. See, an educated fool is someone who has a whole lotta knowledge, but has no common sense on how to use it.

Mississippi turns out some of the most proficient athletes and educators as well as people in the arts. But we fail to use that education that we obtain and sow back into our own ground. Let me explain. We complain how bad Mississippi is, but what are we doing to cultivate it? Has our education and success propelled us so, that we forgot that the five-year behind textbooks and teachers who stayed up with us at night to make sure we could pass those standardized exams were the reasons we had a foundation to succeed in the first place?

Now, let me say this: I'm not against people "moving away" from Mississippi. If they get an opportunity to succeed in something, and somewhere else is the pipeline to it, by all means do it! But don't forget your roots. Don't forget the sock hops and school dances that taught you social skills, and teachers who struggled with their own bills, but slipped twenty bucks into your bookbag for you to get shoes. Give back. Be an advocate of the education of the next generations coming after you.

Sow money into the books - don't just talk about how students have old or no books.

Donate money to generate physical education or health education courses - don't just sit and talk about Mississippi being the top obese state in the country.

And if you don't have money, donate your time.

Tutor someone struggling with algebra - don't talk about how Mississippi's curriculum is nearly ten years behind the times.

Mentor a latchkey child who has a mom/dad who works 18-hour shifts and can't help guide them - don't talk about how bad the children are and they are a menace to society.

And if you can't do any of that, provide resources.

Help these teachers do more than just dictate curriculum, but to help them learn to actually be an influence to their students' education and them being a well-rounded human being by educating them with wisdom.

There is so much we as a whole can do for our children. These are our children. These are our next senators, mayors, doctors, lawyers, police officers, beauticians, carpenters, etc. How much education have you or do you plan to sow into them, or do you plan to close your eyes and let them run us like fools in the days to come? Sow. Educate. Mentor. Your Mississippi. My Mississippi.