advocate for your kids: 3 tips
I started my first teaching job back in 2009. I had recently graduated from college at UCSB and was accepted into Teach for America (TFA). I truly believed in their mission to provide an equitable education for all. My whole life I knew that I wanted to work with children, but I wasn’t quite sure what that looked like in the future. Meanwhile, I would gain experience and help communities much like the one I grew up in.
If you aren’t familiar with TFA, we are trained as teachers and placed in marginalized areas to teach for a minimum of two years. I feel extremely blessed to have been placed on that path, as I fell in love with teaching and in particular, teaching special education students.
My first classroom was a special day class working with 6th graders with mild/moderate disabilities. It was an AMAZING experience and I am still in touch with several of those kiddos. After having my son in 2012 I changed schools to the high school I had attended as I had been living in my hometown at the time. I worked as a resource teacher, co-teaching math and english. I would eventually become the department chair for that high school and ran several programs.
Shortly after, I took three years off in order to raise my children- at that time, two boys. After having dropped them off daily at the babysitters and having worked so hard to run a program that affected hundreds of children with diverse needs, I needed a mental, emotional, and physical break.
I share these details with you all as I made several life changing discoveries about myself during those years. A few things I learned:
I was truly meant to work with children. I tapped into that passion and really fostered a love of teaching. Nothing compares to being there when the lightbulb turns on.
Marginalized communities need the support. Many of the parents I supported were hard working immigrants. They loved their children and trusted me to help their kids. I took it as my responsibility to not only advocate for their children, but to help them advocate for their children too. I wasn’t always going to be there as their child’s teacher.
Having my own children made me heal a lot of parts of myself that I had buried. They allow me to live my fullest life. I was able to focus on intentionality and my purpose.
I gained the experience I need now to advocate for my very own children and those of the families I help.
Fast forward to now. I currently homeschool my children through a public independent study homeschool program here in California. I also teach in their special education program supporting homeschooled children who have IEPs. What I love about this program is that parents are able to tailor their children’s education to their unique interests, strengths, and areas of need.
Parents are able to support their child’s educational journey by adapting their general education, however, ensuring their children still receive the special education services that they are entitled to can be a challenge just like at any school.
Here are three pieces of advice I provide parents:
Know your rights! Every time a form or document is sent home, they send home a packet called the Procedural Safeguards. I know it’s a big packet with a lot of jargon the common person doesn't typically use or know off hand. However, read them and really understand what they say. Reach out for support if you need help understanding them.
Get to know your child’s case manager. Reach out and build a relationship with them. They are your child’s advocate at school. This is my favorite part of the job- getting to know my students and their families. I always choose to side with what's best for the student. Always.
Always speak up. You know your children best! When we work with them at school, we only get a glimpse into who they are. They are complex and whole beings. Share your experiences and observations with your team. In order to support your child, your perspective matters!
I hope this helps you understand just how important you are to us as providers and supporters. As a mom with a kiddo in the special education program at his school, I have now sat in your position. I know how overwhelming, stressful, and emotional it can be. At the same time, knowing this, I also know how important advocating for your child can be, as well. Reach out if you need support. We are here for you!
