Do you want the red pill or the blue pill?
To participate in the Parent Leadership Institute, you have to have the courage to take the red pill and learn the extent of the challenge you face advocating for your children. Last weekend, the new class of advocates kicked off with a two-day retreat in Norcross, Georgia. A dozen concerned parents and youth were fortified with information from sun-up to well past sundown – and there was cake.
Gathering at the Lodge at Simpsonwood, a group of parents and teens met because they recognized the need for change in school discipline in their district. Gwinnett SToPP’s Parent Leadership Institute is the only program of its kind in Georgia. Retreat attendees participated in team-building exercises followed by an exercise to learn their “true colors” to match their personality to their team role and advocacy strategy.
Throughout the afternoon participants walked through advocacy theory including the Gwinnett SToPP change strategy “turning the resources you have into the power you need to win the change you want.”
A highlight of the afternoon included a discussion with Dr. Joyce King of Georgia State University about diversity and the particular role a strong cultural identification can play in empowering children to strive for excellence.
Saturday evening the group came together for desserts and games. They played a school-to-prison-pipeline version of Jeopardy and Family Feud while they enjoyed delicious cakes and pies. After a long day, the group retired to their rooms to rest up before a second day of intense training.
On day two, the group learned about the discipline landscape specific to Gwinnett County. Jen Falk, former school board candidate, walked them through the intricacies of the Investing in Education Excellence contract that allows Gwinnett County to waive 14 state education regulations. Jean Estes, a special education attorney, offered examples of how the juvenile justice system impacts children with emotional, neurological and behavioral issues. Next, the group had an engaging Q&A with a panel of local community activists including Laura Murvartian who created Fiesta de Libros, a Spanish-language library and Johnny Brown, a PLI alumnus who does work in fatherhood.
Inspired, the participants were grouped into teams and given their project topics. Throughout the year, the teams will work on issues of teen action, restorative practices and advocacy around the school climate indicator. They will work on these projects over the next six months and present their solutions at class graduation in March.