As another school year begins, families across our communities are shopping for notebooks, backpacks and school supplies while preparing children for new teachers, new classrooms and new opportunities.
At my house, those preparations include my daughter, Amari.
Like every parent, I want her to begin the school year with confidence, excitement and the opportunity to succeed. But being Amari’s father has taught me that preparing for school is about far more than checking items off a supply list.
It is about making sure the adults entrusted with our children understand who they are, how they learn and what they need to succeed.
That lesson applies to every family.
Every child deserves adults who recognize their strengths before focusing on their struggles. Every parent and caregiver deserves to feel like a valued partner in their child’s education. And every educator deserves the opportunity to build relationships with families before challenges arise.
As a father and former educator, I believe the beginning of the school year offers one of our best opportunities to establish those partnerships.
Families can start by introducing themselves to teachers, attending open houses and orientation events, and asking how communication will take place throughout the year. A simple conversation at the beginning of the school year can help prevent misunderstandings later.
For families of children receiving special education services, early communication is especially important. Parents and caregivers should review their child’s Individualized Education Program, or IEP, or Section 504 plan and understand the accommodations, services and goals designed to support their child.
But a child does not need an IEP or 504 plan for a family to have questions, concerns or valuable information to share.
Communication should never begin with a crisis.
Schools should not wait until a child is struggling academically, socially or behaviorally before reaching out. Likewise, families should not wait until report cards arrive to become engaged. Strong relationships are built through consistent communication, mutual respect and shared accountability.
As a former educator, I understand the demands teachers face at the beginning of a school year. They are preparing classrooms, learning new names, developing lessons and working to meet the needs of many students at once.
Families should recognize those challenges. Schools should also recognize what families bring to the table.
Parents and caregivers know what excites their children, what worries them, how they learn and what support helps them thrive. That knowledge should be welcomed as an important part of the educational partnership.
Fathers also have an important role to play.
Too often, fathers become part of the conversation only after something has gone wrong. We should be present from the beginning. Attend orientation when possible. Introduce yourself to teachers. Read school communications. Ask questions. Volunteer when you can. Let your children see that their education matters to you.
Children notice who shows up.
One of the greatest lessons my daughter, Amari, has taught me is that advocacy is not always loud. Sometimes it means listening carefully, asking a thoughtful question, sending a follow-up email or simply being present for a meeting.
Advocacy is not about looking for conflict. At its best, it is about creating partnerships, seeking solutions and making sure children have what they need to succeed.
As families prepare for the first day of school, we should remember that one of the most valuable things we can give our children cannot be purchased at a store or placed inside a backpack.
It is our presence.
When families, educators and communities work together, children benefit. They gain stronger support systems, greater confidence and more opportunities to reach their potential.
So, as another school year begins, let us commit to schools where families feel welcomed, educators feel supported and every child, regardless of ability, background or circumstance, is encouraged to learn, grow and succeed.
A backpack can carry the supplies a child needs for school.
But it takes all of us to help carry a child toward success.
Every child deserves an advocate.
