Education was never an area I thought I would have to manage in my children’s lives. I grew up in the public system and so did my husband. I trusted the system to just work. I never doubted it would serve them. The only area of my children’s youth I thought I would have to worried about was their social engagement; not what they were learning or how, but with whom. It was important to us to ensure our children were part of a healthy community in which to establish and grow life-long friendships.
When my children were enrolled in the public system, I wanted to be as hands-on and helpful to the school and their teachers as I could. The perception of the schooling environment was that the system, especially the teachers, were always overwhelmed and I love serving my community. I became involved as a Room Mom, consistent member of School Site Council, regular attender of school board and Foundation board meetings, fill in-volunteer wherever necessary, and a member of the District Advisory Council. I was in deep, and I loved it. I was helping to establish the community I so wanted for my children. But, after a while, I started to see gaps, issues and inconsistencies that made me start to look at the system through a more critical lens. Why was this happening but not that? Why was more money being spent on these children versus others? Why were numbers not adding up and educational goals not being reached? And the icing on the cake, COVID. Things that were once easily kept under wraps in back-door meetings or things that seem to have been running well, were now being more clearly exposed. Not only was it harder for Administrations and Boards to hide the inadequacies, but frustrated teachers and other insiders were being more honest about where the system had lacked and where they were being silenced. I was still fully on-board with finding solutions and getting through COVID and hoping these holes, now exposed, provided a new opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate. Unfortunately, as COVID continued, it became clear that those in high levels of leadership were not interested in finding long-term solutions but were perfectly ok with continuing to band-aid, not only the pre-existing issues, but the newer blood-gushers as well. This was their plan and long-term solution. This was Plan A, B, C, & D. This was it. It became evident that our public system got to this point not just because of the trauma that COVID brought onto the system, but because this type of planning and leadership was all the system knew and they were completely comfortable with that. This wasn’t right. A system created to help children be their best and prepare them for the world was in fact not doing that and wasn’t intending to make any significant changes. Perfect isn’t possible, but adequate was success, and those with the power to change that had no problem with that being the measure.
I am a problem-solver by nature. I feel it is our duty to help and to make things better than they were wherever possible. I was required to take a long hard look at what those in charge were communicating to me about the work they were willing to do, and it was less than what I felt needed to be done. Was it possible to make the necessary changes? What was needed to make that happen and did we have those resources? Were all stakeholders willing to do the hard work? Change is always an uphill battle, but the status quo was not working and change was necessary. I weighed it all. As someone with limited power within the system, was I willing to spin my wheels to try to do all I could to help any child necessary find some level of success, but potentially allow my own children to get lost in the process, or did I sacrifice the whole for the three God had given me? Ultimately, I had to choose the latter. I had to ensure that my own children, those I was specifically entrusted to care for, did not drown and get lost in the waves. It was hard leaving this community we had built, these kids and families that I loved and dedicated time to, but God had given me these three kids to rear, and I could not sacrifice them. Ultimately, I could not, but figured that somehow, one day, I would find a way to still contribute to helping our communities be better and stronger.
The Marigold Movement is such a sweet spot in this story. I struggled feeling like I had let these families and children down, fed them to the sharks, potentially without warning, and it hurt my servant’s heart. I know not all parents have the ability and time to research and listen and learn like I do. Our society has failed many in this way. Many parents are merely doing survivor strokes to keep their head afloat. Through The Marigold Movement, we will get to use our skillsets to shortcut the process for parents. We are equipped to help parents better understand deficiencies in the current educational systems and help them become more knowledgeable about their educational options so that they have the freedom to ensure their children are being prepared as they wish. We’ll get to help advise and train and be a sanctuary for the hard days. We’ll help them know they are not alone, and they can do it, whatever path they land on (and yes, that includes staying in the public school system). Parents and families do have the power and freedom to choose what will prepare and equip their children in the ways God has planned for them. They do not have to feel held hostage by any way, any system, any lifestyle, and we want to help them move forward with confidence and support!
