Amy is a parent of five New York City public school students, all of whom are enrolled in different programs, which allows her to see how schools are serving her children from different angles and that a “one-size-fits-all” approach does not work for all students.

She became involved in parent advocacy when her first child, who was diagnosed at birth with Aniridia as legally blind and at 18 months identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder, entered the Early Intervention and Committee on Preschool for Special Education. To begin her advocacy work, she volunteered in the classroom and joined her child’s elementary school’s parent association. Her experience of advocating as a parent and experiencing the classroom school environment allowed her to see what schools lacked. Moreover, it helped her see how a community can support the whole child.

Amy currently is the secretary of her child’s parent association and serves on multiple school leadership teams as an elected parent member, including a member of the equity committee with the District 10 superintendent. Additionally, among various other leadership positions, she currently holds her third term as an elected council member (Citywide Council for District 75) representing District 75 Citywide Programs (a school district that services only students with disabilities with an IEP by program unzoned and is the only district program in the nation under special education), which advises the New York City Schools Chancellor. Also, Amy serves as a founding member of the chancellor’s new Reimagine Special Education Advisory Council.

Amy’s roles on School Leadership Teams (SLT) and District Leadership Teams (DLT) support partnerships with multiple stakeholders regarding school budgets, title funds, district, and school comprehension educational plans, safety, parent involvement, and much more. Her parent leadership in school governance also extends to city, state, and national campaigns regarding culturally responsive education, Asian American Pacific Islander students, the school-to-prison pipeline, school funding, students with disabilities, and early childhood education.

Additionally, she serves as the vice resident of Special Education and District 75 Policy for the New York City Coalition for Educating Families Together.

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
I will empower our New York education leaders, educators, students, families, advocates, organizations, and members of communities. I want to educate and empower our elected officials at the state and federal levels by uplifting robust roundtables with diverse guests that share ideas and solutions on education, health care, safety, access, opportunities, and more. Additionally, I hope to bring light to related intersectional issues and barriers that may affect a student’s success, such as having a disability, being an immigrant, learning English as a new language, living in foster care or temporary housing, being impacted by incarceration, being food insecure, experiencing health challenges, and more.  Equity is meeting everyone’s needs individually and lifting access to inclusion in a more intentional meaning and vision.

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?Educational equity means each and every individual receives the best quality education and the appropriate and necessary services and resources they need to succeed. It means supporting students with individualized education plans and English Language Learners so that they have equitable access to a great education and that they receive appropriate accommodations. Additionally, it means that students are graduating with a true postsecondary plan — including a plan to attend college, follow a career path, undergo job training, and others to help them achieve their aspirations. No student or parent/caregiver should be excluded because of their race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, ability, socio-economic, educational, and citizen status, they all deserve respect to thrive and have a future.

 

Angela became involved in parent advocacy after volunteering and organizing activities at her child’s school, which opened her eyes to the inequities that existed within the system. She currently serves as a member of the Parent Teacher Association of the Urban Institute of Mathematics in District 8 and is a member of the executive board of the NYC School Chancellor’s Parent Advisory Council.

Additionally, Angela is the president of the President’s Council for District 8, where she sits on a team that oversees school leadership teams for the entire district. Moreover, after several years of attending Community Board 10 meetings, Angela joined the board and now serves on the Youth and Education Committee, which she currently leads as the chair.

To further elevate education equity issues and parent concerns, Angela has spoken as an Education Ambassador on News 12, and also maintains a video blog. 

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
It is my goal to use my voice and newly attained knowledge in New York to equip other parent leaders with information so that we can transform schools and advance educational equity. Knowledge truly is power and oftentimes we must push to be at the table but need the knowledge to ask the right questions. 

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?
Educational equity means that everyone has equitable access to all of the tools, funding, and resources to ensure the success of each child, regardless of the color of their skin, economic status, their language, their gender, their background, or any other defining factor. Education is a right and one that has not been granted to all because educational inequity has become a norm. The time to bring change is NOW.

Cherry-Ann became involved with her child’s school and district because she wanted to be ‘in the know’ so that she could know how to help make a difference.  Currently, she is president of the Parent Teacher Association at Alden Terrace School in the Elmont Union Free School District, where she works alongside school administrators, community members, and students to advocate on behalf of students and parents.

She is committed to parent advocacy work because she feels that sometimes parents tend to forget that there is so much more behind the scenes than just what’s happening in the classroom, which can affect the quality of education their children receive.  Currently, she is a member of the PTA at her child’s school. 

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
I hope to use my voice to advance educational equity in New York by helping to educate others like myself with the knowledge I will have gained through this program.

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?Educational equity looks like to me is equal educational opportunities for all no matter your socio-economical background, race, or belief. Everyone should be afforded the same opportunities.

Purnima has been involved with the Parent Teacher Association and Parent Teacher Student Association for over five years in various capacities including recording secretary, vice president, and president. She currently serves as a council representative at Williamsville North High School and as the secretary of the Western Region PTA and facilitates parenting workshops for EPIC (Every Person Influences Children).

Additionally, Purnima works at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus as a food and medicine program coordinator and at WEDI Buffalo as an economic development coordinator and team leader. At WEDI, she works with diverse business owners at the West Side Bazaar by guiding them through the business incubation process. Purnima volunteers with numerous nonprofits and is currently the vice president of membership for Downtown Toastmasters, a public speaking and leadership organization. Moreover, she is a member of the Erie County Arts and Cultural Advisory Board. 

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
I hope to provide opportunities for all families to engage in culturally diverse events and celebrate them at the schools and through a culturally rich curriculum.

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?Educational equity means that each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential. Working toward equity in schools will involve ensuring equally high outcomes for all participants in our educational system; examining biases; creating inclusive multicultural school environments for adults and children; and discovering and cultivating the unique gifts, talents, and interests that all of us possess.

Growing up, Racquelle was a latchkey child, so it was important to her once she got married and had children to be involved as much as she possibly could. She began her parent advocacy as a member of her Parent Teacher Association, as well as volunteering at many community and school events. As her children grew older, she wanted to do more by exploring additional resources and programs that the schools would benefit from.

During her time on the PTA, she has chaired many events. She has also served as the recording secretary, and corresponding secretary, and currently is the second vice president for her child’s elementary school also serving as the membership chairperson for Nassau Region PTA. As for her child’s high school PTA, she has also chaired many events and served as a council delegate and secretary.

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
By being aware of what programs are available for our children and being able to use my voice in order to advocate for the program services for our children that will help them in the future.

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?Educational equity to me is knowing what’s available out there for diverse programs in all regions and areas no matter who lives in those areas and making sure that it’s fair across the board for all schools and programs equitably.

Sara is a well-respected regional leader who is passionate about educating and elevating women and parents/caregivers of color. Sara found herself frustrated while navigating the complex mental health system while trying to access services for her child, which motivated her to connect with other parents with similar experiences. Together, they birthed the vision for the BIPOC Parent Mental Health Project and have committed to elevating their voices to address the inequities across the mental health system by convening support and resource groups for Black and Latinx parents.

Sara is also the founder of the Upstate NY Women of Color Summit, where she leads with the belief that all systems must be accountable for providing culturally responsive and equitable care. She advocates for other vulnerable populations as a community leader on boards and by connecting with policymakers, philanthropists, and other stakeholders who are collectively dedicated to improving economic and health outcomes and advancing racial equity strategies. 

In 2021, New York State Senator Samra Brouk named Sara the New York State Woman of Distinction for her dedication to the BIPOC PEEEEEEK Parent Mental Health Project. In 2022, she was named a Health Care Hero by the Rochester Business Journal Health for her mental health advocacy in communities of color.

Sara obtained her master’s degree in human service administration from St. John Fisher College and holds various certificates in leadership development. Sara has one biological son, a daughter-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren. In 2009, Sara became the caregiver of her great-niece.

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
I will participate in various policymaking activities at leadership tables to transform systems and practices to reflect equity at all levels from the parent lens.

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?Educational equity to me means partnering with parents and caregivers to ensure that access and delivery of quality education meet diverse learning needs through the lens of equity.

Toyin is a parent leader and a mother of three. She works diligently to help children and families better their lives. She does this by engaging the community and helping families learn how to advocate for the changes they want to make and see implemented in their schools and communities.

She is currently a parent on the Parent Engagement Collaborative Action Network leadership team, a board member of Prevent Child Abuse NY and The Children’s Agenda, and a governance council member for the United Parent Leaders Action Network. Among many leadership roles, she also served as the parent representative for the Excellence in Student Achievement Committee on the Rochester Board of Education and is a child passenger safety technician.

Toyin is a graduate of the Parent Leadership Training Institute and the African American Leadership Development Program. She works as a home visitor for Action for Better Community and as a coalition member with Common Ground Health.

In every aspect of her advocacy work, she understands the importance of having parents at every table that is having conversations that will impact the lives of families. As a change agent, she knows that for any space that hasn’t embraced this yet, she is required to help facilitate and help make the changes needed — because parents know what is best for their families. 

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
I hope to use my voice in lots of ways including — but not limited to — workshops, letters, meetings, and phone calls.

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?
Educational equity to me means that every child gets exactly what they need to thrive and become their best self.

Vonetta has been a parent advocate since 2012. She is currently a member of We The Parents of WNY, which draws awareness to and addresses the pressing needs of parents in the Buffalo education system from early childhood to 12th grade. 

Additionally, Vonetta serves as a member of the WNY Child Care Action Team, which empowers child care providers and parents to engage in advocacy efforts that will advance affordability, accessibility, and quality in early childhood education.

She has engaged in advocacy efforts regarding inadequate bus transportation for students in Buffalo, whether child care providers can access department of education funding and partnerships, and has participated in universal Pre-K workshops to ensure more equitable access to parents and children.

How do you hope to use your voice to advance educational equity in New York?
I will emphasize the right to high-quality education and child development for all children from infant to 18 years old, how educational equity should look and operate in school communities and administration, and the reasons why.

In your own words, what does educational equity look like to you?
Educational equity to me is high-quality, comprehensive, and child-centered curriculum; family-centered engagement; ongoing professional development for teachers in curriculum, child development, family dynamics, and cultural responsiveness; wraparound care coordination; community access and utilization of schools; diversity, equity, and inclusion directly reflected in staffing, students, and overall environment; equal access to student support teams, therapists, and recreation for all students regardless of geographical location or tax bracket.