The Crucial Role of Parents and Community in Education

The role of parents in education has never been more essential—yet we’re seeing a concerning gap in parental and community involvement. The challenges of modern life, from busy schedules to the shifting priorities in educational systems, have resulted in a reduced level of parental engagement. However, research and experience show that parents who actively participate in their children’s education foster not only academic success but also personal growth and well-rounded development.

Facing the fact that approximately 30 schools in Jacksonville are preparing to close, Tavares Bethel invited Michellita Taylor, a speech pathologist and Miss Black Jacksonville, on The Slide to discuss her views on education and what can be done to best support our youth and tomorrow's leaders.

Watch the Video

Episode 8: The Layered Challenges in Education with Michellita Taylor

In this heartfelt episode of 'The Slide with Tavares Bethel,' host Tavares Bethel engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Michellita Taylor, a speech pathologist and community leader from Jacksonville, Florida. Michellita, who also holds the title of Miss Black Jacksonville, shares insights into her personal and professional life, touching on the current state of education in Jacksonville and the impact of school closures. They discuss the critical role of community and parental involvement in education, emphasizing the importance of addressing families' basic needs to foster greater participation in school activities. Tavares and Michellita highlight the power of extracurricular activities and empowering pursuits like pageantry, which build structure, discipline, and empowerment.

This episode contains explicit content. Viewer discretion is advised. The intention of The Slide podcast is not to offend but to provide real conversations into topics affecting communities within the United States. The opinions contained within this episode are solely those who have expressed them. Proceed only if you are comfortable with potentially sensitive topics.

See Time Stamps for this video at the end of this article.

Why Community and Parental Involvement Matters in Education

Parents, schools, and communities all have a shared responsibility in nurturing a child’s education. A connected community can provide a child with the holistic support they need to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

During this episode, Michellita provided a critical perspective on the current educational landscape, especially concerning its benefits and challenges faced by the African American community. She underscored the necessity for community and parental involvement in education.

"Community involvement is super important, reminding the parents, that they themselves can do and have better, said Michellita. "Then (the children) come to school believing."

Her insights stressed that the success of a child often correlates with supportive environments both at home and in the community. Let's take a look at the some of the benefits of increasing parental involvement in education:

1. Academic Success: Students with engaged parents tend to achieve higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates. A 2018 study by the National PTA found that parental involvement is directly linked to higher academic performance. Parental encouragement helps build a child’s confidence and commitment to their education, which often translates to better results.

2. Emotional and Social Development: Parents play a pivotal role in fostering emotional intelligence and social skills in children. By modeling positive behavior, engaging in open communication, and showing interest in schoolwork and extracurricular activities, parents contribute to a child’s sense of belonging, resilience, and empathy. This goes beyond the classroom, impacting how children interact with others and cope with challenges.

3. Creating a Lifelong Love for Learning: When parents show genuine interest in their child’s education, children are more likely to develop a positive attitude towards learning. This not only helps in academic achievements but also cultivates curiosity and a love for knowledge that stays with them into adulthood. Parents who value education pass down this mindset to their children, setting the foundation for a lifetime of learning and growth.

The Current Gap in Community Involvement

According to Michellita, we have to find ways to reduce the barriers that parents face, such as busy schedules, economic pressures, digital barriers in technology and shifts in educational priorities. These barriers are further widening the gap in community involvement despite these benefits.

"Before we ask a parent to do anything, you know," said Michellita, "we need to make sure they have food. They have gas. That they have the internet. That they have, you know, all of those basic needs met."

In addition to school programs for free lunch and local community outreach centers, here are some other practical steps that schools and communities can take to help:

1. Flexible Engagement Opportunities: Schools can encourage parent involvement by offering flexible engagement opportunities. Virtual meetings, evening or weekend events, and recorded resources can cater to parents’ busy schedules, making participation easier and more accessible.

2. Empower Parents with Technology: Schools and community organizations can offer digital literacy workshops for parents to help them navigate online portals, communication tools, and digital learning platforms. This can empower parents to stay up-to-date with their child’s education and become more engaged.

3. Community Mentorship Programs: Local businesses, nonprofits, and other community members can partner with schools to create mentorship programs where they share expertise and offer support to students and families. These programs foster connections between the school and the larger community, creating a network of support around each child’s educational journey.

4. Parent and Community Forums: Establishing forums where parents, teachers, and community members can come together to discuss concerns, share resources, and brainstorm solutions is critical. These forums, whether in-person or virtual, help everyone stay informed and involved in a child’s educational progress.

5. Celebrate Involvement: Schools can celebrate parental involvement and community support by recognizing and rewarding contributions. When parents and community members see that their participation is valued, they are more likely to engage consistently.

Final Thoughts

While challenges remain, working together to make education accessible and engaging for all families is one of the best investments we can make for the future. By bridging the gap in parental and community involvement, we can foster environments where children feel supported and motivated to reach their fullest potential.

Through renewed commitment and small, purposeful steps, we can transform our educational landscape to better serve our children, families, and communities.

More about our Guest

Michellita Taylor

Michellita Taylor M.S, CCC-SLP is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who has been practicing for over 5 years in both the educational and medical settings. She completed her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida in Communications and her graduate degree in Communicative Science Disorders for Speech-Language Pathology with honors from Nova Southeastern University. ​ ​

Michellita specializes in providing corporate and professional coaching for elevating communication exchanges.

She is a native of Jacksonville and the proud mother of a beautiful little girl. She is an accomplished singer, speaker, and motivator as the owner of Taylor Made Voices LLC. 

A Spotlight on Pageantry and Empowerment

Besides her educational endeavors, Michellita Taylor is also the reigning Miss Black Jacksonville, vying for the Miss Black Florida title. She views pageantry as a platform for empowerment, stating, "It reminds me of everything that I can do regardless of how challenging, how vulnerable, how frustrating." Her mission is clear—to inspire others by her example of perseverance and strength.

Community members can support Michellita in her quest for the Miss Black Florida crown through people's choice voting, a step that underscores our solidarity in her journey. To cast your vote, visit her social media for voting details and click on the People's Choice link.

Episode Notes:

Educational Empowerment and Community Engagement: A Journey with Michellita Taylor
 
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:53 Guest Background and Achievements
01:54 Discussion on Education System
04:03 Challenges in Education and Community Involvement
09:58 Parental Involvement and Its Impact
12:34 Addressing Family Needs for Better Education
13:38 Ensuring Privacy and Meeting Needs
14:04 Engaging Parents in Education
14:57 Reflections on Childhood and Parenting
15:42 The Impact of Extracurricular Activities
17:42 Celebrating Miss Black Jacksonville
18:47 Supporting the Pageant Journey
20:34 Jacksonville's Growth and Community Spirit
21:47 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks