Empowered for Education is about parents and families navigating the school system advocating for the children. Kids spend a lot of time in school. The hope is that they learn in a safe and supportive space that recognizes their brilliance and encourages their achievement. As parents, we are our children's chief education advocate, and we should never relinquish that role. We have to be actively and constantly engaged when it comes to the education of our children. While it's certainly important to go to parent teacher conferences, it is more important to establish good communications throughout the year. It's crucial to cultivate a relationship with your child's teacher and the school principal. As parents, we may not know all the particulars about math or science and exactly what our kids learn in language arts... And that's ok Navigating a school environment can be challenging and you may have to dedicate more time and attention to certain issues that arise than you anticipated. Hang in there. If you thought an issue was important enough to bring up, then see it through. Continue to ask questions until you get the answers that help you make an informed decision about your child's learning experience. Make it your business to always be focused on your kids' education. Our kids are counting on us to be there! It's our right and our responsibility!! Stay inspired, stay informed, keep advocating... and become empowered for education! Because when one of us rises, we all can celebrate, share knowledge, and build effective parent collaborations.