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‘ve come to a meaningful realization about our schools in Lowell — parents are an incredible yet underutilized resource with the potential to create real change. I’m not just saying this as someone who advocates for education – I’m saying it as a mom with kids in the Lowell Public School system.
When parents get a real seat at the decision-making table, it’s incredible what happens. Our schools become places that truly listen, include everyone and actually work better for our kids.
Parents bring something to the table that nobody else can.
We live with the results of school policies every single day through our kids. We’re the ones helping with that tricky homework assignment, comforting our child after a rough day and juggling our schedules around early dismissals. That’s knowledge you can’t get from a textbook or administrative training.
As past PTO President at Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School, a member of the School Site Council and part of a screening committee for a Principal within Lowell Public Schools, I’ve been deeply involved in shaping our school community. This experience has been eye-opening. I’ve navigated shifting curriculums, managed the challenges COVID brought to young students and advocated for essential special education services and mental health resources.
Through it all, one thing has become clear… parents need to be part of the decision-making process, not just notified after the fact.
Don’t get me wrong – the bake sales and book fairs are still important! But real partnership means having a say in governance too. When we, as parents, are actively involved with our local school committees, we have a voice in where the money goes, what policies are fair, what our kids learn and who leads our schools. We bring both professional skills and that fierce parent love that wants the absolute best for every child.
This is especially important in a diverse community like Lowell. Parent representatives can help make sure everyone’s voice counts.
I’ve put these beliefs into action. When the slide at Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School sat broken for years, I spoke in front of the City Council to get it fixed. When classroom carpets were ruined by water and mold just days before the first day of school in September 2022, I reached out to the community (including fellow parents!) and raised the funds to replace every single classroom carpet.
That’s what engaged parents do – we see problems and fix them to keep our kids safe and learning.
I know it’s not easy to get involved. The meetings are at tough times, the jargon can be overwhelming and sometimes it feels like new voices aren’t welcome. But we need to change that with clear information, better meeting schedules, materials in multiple languages and mentorship for parents who want to step up.
The future of Lowell’s schools relies on genuine collaboration between families, teachers and administrators. Parents deserve a voice and our children deserve schools shaped by everyone who is invested in their success (including the dedicated educators and administrators who care deeply).
When parents are actively involved in decision-making, our schools become stronger, more transparent and better equipped to support every child in our community.
2 responses to “A Seat at the Table: Why Parent Leadership Matters in Education”
While I agree with you on this totally, I have to question how much the parents should be involved with areas of curriculum that they aren’t trained in. Parents who had no education in Robotics, for example, may not be able to help their child with homework in that subject. Such a parent may find this subject confusing and unnecessary. Is that the job of the parent?
As a music teacher, I find that an overwhelming majority of parents consider music an learning an instrument an “extra”, which I would argue is not.
Often music lessons are given up due to falling grades in other “core” areas. Shouldn’t someone with solid training in child psychology and education have potentially more of a better viewpoint on what areas of study might be considered?
I’m all for parents being involved and guiding their children through early education, but I’d also make an argument for making sure that the parent is well-informed and open to advice from more experienced sources.
Hi Mike, Great to hear from you!
Absolutely, and I really appreciate your perspective on this. I fully respect and rely on the expertise of our teachers, administrators and education professionals—they are essential in shaping and delivering a well-rounded education for our students.
At the same time, I believe it’s important to empower and encourage parents to take an active role in their child’s education, even to some extent in areas where they may not have direct expertise. While a parent may not be well-versed in robotics or music, they bring their own unique skills, experiences and insights that can support their child’s learning journey. Whether it’s fostering a love of learning, instilling discipline and time management or even advocating for enrichment opportunities, parents play a vital role in reinforcing what happens in the classroom.
Additionally, parental involvement isn’t just about subject-matter knowledge—it’s about engagement, support and collaboration. When parents, teachers and schools work together, students benefit from a more holistic educational experience that extends beyond just core subjects. If a parent doesn’t understand robotics, they can still encourage curiosity and problem-solving. If music isn’t their strong suit, they can still promote creativity and perseverance.
Ultimately, education is strongest when it’s a partnership. The more we involve parents while respecting the expertise of educators, the more we can build a supportive and enriching environment for all students.