Open Minds, Open Lines

As we all adjust to a post-2020 reality, parents must engage teachers and mentors in order to maximize and enhance what their children are learning in the classroom.

How did your summer reading go? Hopefully, your scholars read at least one or two books during their break. Whether we hit our milestones or not, it’s all behind us now. Time to press the reset button and leverage the fresh start into conquering the 2022–23 school year.

Did you know it takes 21 days or less to form a new habit? We’ve begun our dynamic unconventional routine of learning since school started. If you’re comfortable with the path your child is on, I encourage you to persevere with what works best for you. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. If you observe that your child lacks focus, enthusiasm, commitment or consistency, let’s recalibrate.

“We oftentimes become so discouraged with not immediately arriving at the correct response
when we actually should focus on researching a deeper dive in order to find the optimal solution.”
Taticasejuana Bobo Stevens

I implore you to remain engaged with your child’s teachers and mentors. Communication is vital and the key to building successful long-term relationships. Be optimistic while keeping an open mind about learning. Approach every problem with an innovative spirit and the belief that the answer lies ahead. We oftentimes become so discouraged with not immediately arriving at the correct response, when we actually should focus on researching a deeper dive in order to find the optimal solution.

Parents, we’re our children’s first and loudest advocates. Each parent should know their child’s strengths and weaknesses. We must be fully committed in creating a path forward to success. It may call for us to reach out to their teachers and learn the current methodology to re-educate our children in order to fully comprehend an assignment. We may have to invest in a tutor. No matter what, we must encourage our children to speak up if they’re unsure how to solve a problem. It doesn’t help to get further behind in the learning process by staying silent and not fully grasping the content. It only hurts the student. I don’t believe anyone goes into education with the intent to damage a child. However, you can’t change or solve anything you’re not willing to acknowledge exists.

Teachers and schools are more effective when families are involved. It has everything to do with collaboration. United we stand, divided we fall. Let’s make this a team effort through effective communication and hard work as we create robust future leaders for our community.

Taticasejuana Bobo Stevens is a Ph.D. candidate and holds an undergraduate degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration. She is the CEO and founder of Stebeaux’s Educational Enterprises, LLC, where she teaches early childhood literacy from Pre-K to eighth grade.

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