This Is What Purpose-Driven Writing Looks Like

I am just fulfilling my mission to contribute to our global village

Introduction

My educational background and broad experience as a family engagement influencer as well as being a parent have increased my insight. This means that I use my knowledge to analyze school-related issues in a non-biased manner. Organizational procedures do not keep my perspective bound by the fear of being politically correct. Instead, my moral obligation to advocate for change and contribute to problem-solving processes propels me to speak my truth. Being a mother and an only parent has built and reinforced my capacity to live by rules that are governed by empathy and compassion.

Many Examples

I have written quite a few stories that reflect all of the things that I just mentioned. They are being shared once again in this compilation in an effort to assist educators and parents as they seek answers and relief for the education-related circumstances that confront them. I classified them according to relevant areas.

Here is my family engagement story collection.

Responding to Struggles in Education

A school district in my city of residence has been forced to answer to the community and families because of the student transportation failures they are now confronted with. Simply states, as schools slowly and safely reopen, there is an inadequate amount of bus and van drivers to transport students to their schools. I wrote a story long before it was safe to return students to school that promoted the idea of schools hiring parents to help resolve transportation concerns. The purpose of sharing my thoughts was to help school leaders engage in long-term planning.

The pandemic created unspeakable problems in education. Students, parents, and educators have been forced to deal with all the consequences associated with school closures, learning disruptions, adjusting to virtual and hybrid programs, and connectivity concerns. I identified and exclusively named a phenomenon called the “covid learning gap” in response to pandemic-related educational challenges.

All students are beautiful. Educators fulfill the need to protect, guide, and nurture them within the school environment. Sadly, the willfully defiant behavior of some students who do not qualify to receive special education services and supports or have a diagnosis that manifests through conduct challenges is ugly. Many teachers who are forced to deal with these behaviors while meeting instructional demands are forced to remain silent about their relentless struggles. This is one of many articles that I have written which exposes this concern.

The number of educators who celebrate their reality of not seeing the color of students and their parents is appalling. Black and Brown students become victims of institutional racism as evidenced by invisibility. This affirms the need for rigorous and continuous diversity awareness teacher training. The article below helps to bring this problem to light.

Also related to cultural insensitivity and racism is the plight of Black and Brown parents with children enrolled in predominantly White schools. These parents are often oppressed and suppressed because their voices are ignored. My next story affirms this.

Family engagement, which is an extension of parent participation and involvement is a very serious problem in many schools. A lot of parents are disconnected from their child’s learning in these environments. Sometimes some educators are at fault for family engagement failures within their classrooms and schools. The next story is about this.

Conversely, some parents are to blame for failing to partner with their child’s educators. Sadly, a number of these parents remain unconcerned about their child’s learning experience. I expose this harsh reality in this story about parental apathy.

There have been instances when teachers have been poorly trained to deliver adequate special education services to qualifying students. In these cases, the schools have either failed to adhere to a student’s IEP (Individualized Education Program) or they remain indifferent to the unique needs of students. The story below affirms this reality.

Understanding Family Engagement in Education

I have written many articles to help teachers, school leaders, and parents define family engagement. The support that I have provided also helps them build capacity to develop and maintain a mutual alliance for the benefit of student growth, development, and success. Here are some of these stories.

Heartwarming Parenting Stories

I share parenting stories to help motivate, encourage, and support other parents. My personal anecdotal enhance my efforts to connect with readers who are parents. I also make connections to family engagement and education in this writing. These articles that are very special to me follow.

Parental Accountability

Sometimes my writings have to be very direct because I need to focus on areas that some parents need to make improvements in. Doing so enables me to play a role in exposing truth that educators typically find it difficult to discuss. These subjects may not be dealt with because teachers and other school personnel do not want to offend these key stakeholders. Their fear causes them to avoid conversations and remain silent. That is why I confront these issues. Links to some of these stories are shown here.

Concern for Parents

Sometimes parents need a helping hand. The ability of educators to provide encouragement and support to mothers and fathers is a critical indicator of family engagement in education. Doing so reflects the capacity of teachers and school leaders to model empathy and compassion. My following stories accentuate this.

Conclusion: My Final Thoughts

As a purpose-driven family engagement influencer, my writing mirrors my professional and personal mission in life. I remain dedicated to and passionate about increasing family engagement in education.

Building the capacity of educators to understand what family engagement is and exposing harsh realities associated with this area of education that is often ignored due to professional concerns about being politically correct is what I accentuate. My writing also helps readers embrace compassion and empathy as critical indicators of family engagement. This is evidenced in my personal parenting anecdotes that I infuse in my stories.

Thank you for sharing your time with me by reading my stories. I hope that you gained new insights relative to my life’s work.

Here is my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ