Three conversations from a week of door-to-door canvassing stayed with Jennifer: a mother of four on the social issues students encounter around identity at school, a parent who advocated for her daughter with special needs all the way to a college degree, and a young couple concerned about screen time and technology. Jennifer’s view on that last one: AI can make knowledge more accessible, but it is far from replacing the knowledge, judgment, relationships, and care that great educators bring to the classroom.
In Jennifer’s words
As I reflected on my door-to-door conversations last week, a few moments stayed with me. They reminded me why listening to parents and families is so important as we think about the path forward.
One mother, whose four children attend neighboring schools, shared thoughtful perspectives on the social issues students encounter around identity at school. She spoke about the challenges parents face in navigating today’s social climate and emphasized her belief that these conversations ultimately belong with parents and families.
Another parent shared her powerful journey advocating for her daughter with special needs. Through persistence and advocacy, she helped her daughter access the support and resources she needed—and ultimately cross the finish line with a college degree. Her story was a powerful reminder of what can happen when parents are empowered to advocate for their children.
A young couple with their three-year-old son shared concerns about how increasing screen time and technology may affect the quality of education. We talked about how AI can make knowledge and information more accessible than ever, but effective teaching requires much more: deep knowledge of content standards, sound instructional practices, and the ability to use data to understand and respond to the individual needs of students. AI may be a powerful tool, but it is still far from replacing the knowledge, judgment, relationships, and care that great educators bring to the classroom.
These conversations represent just a few of the many parent perspectives and voices closest to our schools. Listening to them keeps me grounded, focused, and committed to the work ahead.
Our communities have much to teach us when we take the time to listen.
Related: Should my fifth grader be using AI?
