From the Drop-Off Line to the Decision-Making Table: My Journey as a Parent Advocate

ShaElla Askew with National Parents Union

Last week, I found myself in Washington D.C., sitting on a national panel hosted by the National Parents Union at the RESTART Network forum—funded by the American Institutes for Research. Representing Alabama families, I joined education leaders from across the country to discuss how COVID disrupted our classrooms, challenged our educators, and changed the way families engage with schools.

It was a full-circle moment for me.

Years ago, when I only showed up when the school invited me.

Years ago, I was the parent who made sure the backpack was packed and the lunch was in the fridge—but that was about it. I didn’t attend school board meetings. I didn’t know what a school accountability report was. I trusted the system and stayed on the sidelines. But then, I started paying attention. I saw how school decisions were being made without input from the people closest to the impact—parents. And I realized silence could cost us more than inconvenience; it could cost our kids opportunities.

Today, I don’t just drop off—I pull up a chair.

At the forum, we didn’t hold back. We gave researchers the real, raw truth about what worked during the pandemic—and what didn’t. We talked about mental health, teacher burnout, trauma in our communities, and how our kids are still navigating the aftermath. I listened to stories of students experiencing homelessness, fearing deportation, or returning to classrooms that prioritized worksheets over human connection.

We also heard some tough truths that demand urgent attention:

📉 45% of principals say COVID accelerated their plans to leave the profession.💬 Teachers feel unheard, unsupported, and underpaid.

🏫 Students who returned to school earlier reported feeling safer—because connection builds security.

🤝 Community school models are emerging as powerful solutions to trauma, burnout, and broken trust.

And through all of it, one thing was clear: Parent engagement isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Families are the constant in a child’s life, and when schools work in partnership with us, students thrive. Whether it’s shaping school culture, pushing for resources, or supporting teachers, parents offer insights that data alone can’t capture. We’re not just participants—we're partners.

2025 Parent Voice Graduation

In Alabama, we’re building on this momentum through NSFA’s Parent Voice Network—a growing movement of charter school parents who are stepping into advocacy roles to support, inform, and lead. Our fellows receive training, connect with other parents, and work directly with school leaders to ensure families stay at the heart of the conversation. If you're a charter school parent reading this and wondering how to get involved: this is your sign.

You don’t have to know everything to get started—you just need to care.

Because the best experts in the room are the ones raising the kids.

This trip reminded me that education reform doesn’t happen in D.C. or Montgomery alone—it starts around kitchen tables, in PTA meetings, at pickup lines, and yes, sometimes on national panels. I'm proud of where I started, but I’m even more excited about where I’m going.

Parents have always had power. Now, we're learning how to use it.