What are Stories of Lived Experience?

The content on this page reflects a pilot effort by The Forsyth Promise to gather the voices, opinions, and attitudes of people in our community who have lived experience of our educational systems.

In gathering and producing this content, staff reached out to six individuals and conducted semi-structured interviews loosely based around the major topics addressed in this report.

Of these six individuals, four chose to be identified and two requested to remain anonymous.

This page contains the extended content of the interviews. Other pages of the report include specific quotations from these interviews, paired with specific topics to add additional lived experience context.

Interview Questions by Topic

Some interviewees were unable to respond to all questions. 

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages

1. When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what role do you believe limited resources and low wages have on our children’s ability to be successful and access the things they need?
2. What do you believe are potential barriers to economic mobility and academic success?
3. What do you believe are potential opportunities to support neighbors with limited economic resources?

Safe and Stable Housing

1. When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what impact do you believe housing cost and having a safe and stable place to live might have on our children trying to learn and their families?
2. What do you believe are potential opportunities to support our neighbors and push for housing that’s safe, stable, and affordable?

The Digital Divide

1. How has adequate access to the internet impacted you or someone you know and their child, either before COVID or during COVID?
2. What do you believe are potential approaches to improving adequate access to internet connectivity and devices for children in our community?

Mental Health and Wellness

1. What role do you believe mental health and wellness plays in overall wellbeing and student success?
2. How does mental health stigma impact the overall wellbeing of our community and our students?
3. What are potential barriers to awareness and access to mental health and wellness resources and supportive services?
4. What are potential approaches to better support students and families as it relates to mental health and wellness?

Discrimination and Bias in Schools

1. How do you believe discrimination and bias show up in our schools and education system?
2. How do you believe discrimination and bias impacts our students and their academic success?
3. What are potential barriers to reducing discrimination and bias in education?
4. What are potential opportunities to reducing discrimination and bias in our schools and the education system?

School Engagement and Climate

1. How do you believe parent/school engagement impacts academic experience, success, and relationship building?
2. What is the potential impact of positive parent/school/community engagement?
3. What is the potential impact of negative parent/school/community engagement?
4. What are potential approaches to better support parent/school/community engagement?

The Impact of COVID-19

1. How has COVID-19 impacted our students and education system?
2. What impact do you believe virtual/remote learning has on our children and their ability to learn and be successful?
3. How can we better support our students during the time of COVID-19?

Closing Questions

1. How would you imagine a thriving Winston-Salem community?
2. What would it take for every child to be academically successful?
3. Is there anything else you would like to share?

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what role do you believe limited resources and low wages have on our children’s ability to be successful and access the things they need?

Limited resources and low wages play a minimum role in a child’s ability to be successful. One’s mindset and desire to be successful can overcome one’s current economic status. If one is determined to be successful, (whatever success is for them) then they can be.

What do you believe are potential barriers to economic mobility and academic success?

Some of the potential barriers could be access to resources. In the age of technology there is a limited access to Wi-Fi, laptops, computers. One must be very resourceful in their efforts to access these resources by utilizing their local library or visiting establishments that offer free internet access.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support neighbors with limited economic resources?

Make Wi-Fi access free to all, make more affordable computers and technology that everyone has access to, provide educational classes to fill in the gap for those less fortunate.

Safe and Stable Housing

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what impact do you believe housing cost and having a safe and stable place to live might have on our children trying to learn and their families?

Housing cost/safe and stable place to live play a role in our children trying to learn and their families. If one resides in an environment of constant chaos and mayhem, they have more challenges to overcome compared to children that have stability and consistency in their home. It’s easier for a child to concentrate on learning when they don’t have to worry about the eviction notice on the front door.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support our neighbors and push for housing that’s safe, stable, and affordable?

There should be more affordable housing programs that lead to homeownership and a safer living environment our children. We must provide a stable environment for this next generation. It should be a norm for our children not a luxury for some.

Technology and the Digital Divide

How has adequate access to the internet impacted you or someone you know and their child, either before COVID-19 or during COVID-19?

Access to the internet for me has been consistent; however, I work in the technology field and understand the importance of technology and the impact of access to information via the internet. My children have not been impacted by COVID-19 as they were consistently on the internet prior to the pandemic.

I’ve also have seen the impact of lack of access to those less fortunate and unable to have the access because of their limited resources. The children are impacted the most and do not understand how to utilize the internet to their advantage. Because of this disadvantage, I feel in the future we will see a very huge gap in the “haves” and the “have nots.” Covid-19 is definitely testing the theory of “Survival of the fittest.”

School systems are being impacted tremendously by remote learning. This pandemic is showing how the school systems have not kept up with the age of technology. The administration and the faculty lack of education in technology will impact our children(s) ability to learn and compete in the future.

What do you believe are potential approaches to improving adequate access to internet connectivity and devices for children in our community?

To approach improving the inadequacy is to provide Wi-Fi for all. The technology has always been available; corporations put the price tag on the access. When we as a people decide to help our fellow man instead of defining financial gain as success then we will do better as a people. It’s critical that we provide all our children access, from a equal playing ground.

Mental Health and Wellness

What role do you believe mental health and wellness plays in overall wellbeing and student success?

Mental health and wellness play a major role in the overall wellbeing of a student’s success. Students need to understand how to cope, function, and overcome adversity. They need to learn how to problem solve quickly and responsible.

How does mental health stigma impact the overall wellbeing of our community and our students?

The stigma associated with mental health is influential in the overall wellbeing of our community and our students. The stigma of mental health has changed tremendously over the last few years. COVID-19 has really put mental heaalth in the forefront in understanding how people cope during this pandemic. Society has become more educated and accepting of mental health and coping. The school system has started providing alternative learning for those with mental health challenges which is extremely helpful and needed.

What are potential barriers to awareness and access to mental health and wellness resources and supportive services?

Barriers to awareness and access to mental health and wellness resources are those people who continue to see the stigma as a negative thing and not allowing others the freedom to receive mental health assistance. Overlooking or trying to hide mental health, the stigma associated with mental health, and the lack of education pertaining to wellness resources and supportive services are all potential barriers. The biggest barrier is the fear — fear of acceptance and understanding. The fear of how people will perceive someone with mental health challenges.

What are potential approaches to better support students and families as it relates to mental health and wellness?

In an effort to better support students and families impacted by mental health, one needs to have patience, understanding, and an open mind. We must learn to be more accepting of our differences. Educate ourselves to understand mental health challenges and how we can be a positive influence and support for someone suffering from mental health challenges.

Discrimination and Bias

How do you believe discrimination and bias show up in our schools and education system?

Discrimination and bias show up each day in our schools/education system the same as administration does. We all are human, however bias and indifferences are taught behavior. Children in general do not have these bias and are naturally curious and eager to meet and interact with other children. It’s the administration/faculty and parents that provide children with bias towards others. We as adults, leaders must make an effort not to instill our bias on others especially our future.

How do you believe discrimination and bias impacts our students and their academic success?

Discrimination and bias impact our students and their academic success tremendously. Students have many obstacles to overcome and discrimination is definitely one of those obstacles.

What are potential barriers to reducing discrimination and bias in education?

To reduce discrimination and bias in education, we must first acknowledge that they exist. Then we must be willing to have open and honest dialogue. Then we must be open to change.

What are potential opportunities to reducing discrimination and bias in our schools and the education system?

The opportunity to reduce discrimination is to provide equality through education. The same education, staffing, technology, and tools provided in one school should be provided in less fortunate/desirable schools.

School Climate and Engagement

How do you believe parent/school engagement impacts academic experience, success, and relationship building?

Parent/school engagement impacts academic experience, success and relationship building. Parents/school engagement is imperative for a student’s success. Parent/schools must take a vested interest in each student equally.

What is the potential impact of positive parent/school/community engagement?

The impact of positive parent/school/community engagement can have a great impact on a child’s educational experience. It goes to the concept that ‘it takes a village,’ if everyone in the village is doing their part in the success of a child, the child will be successful.

What is the potential impact of negative parent/school/community engagement?

The impact of negative parent/school/community engagement can have a negative impact in a child’s educational experience… if a child doesn’t have the tools or drive to be successful. I’m not going to say that a child cannot be successful without these dynamics. If they have two of the three, they can still achieve their goals. They must be determined to achieve greatness and willing to overcome adversity.

What are potential approaches to better support parent/school/community engagement?

There must be a roadmap/guide to better support parent/school/community engagement. We must take those success stories and understand how one overcame their adversity. To understand the dynamics and be willing to repeat the good and acknowledge the negative in an effort to avoid the shortfalls for all of our children.

The Impact of COVID-19

How has COVID-19 impacted our students and education system?

The COVID-19 impact to our students and education system has yet to be seen. We are aware that currently there are children who have yet to participated in remote learning. There are kids who are not familiar with remote learning because it’s not something they experienced in their day-to-day education. Then there are those kids that are fortunate enough to have access to internet; their remote learning mirrors their classroom experience and they have minimal disruption from classroom-to-remote learning. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has had a very big impact on our students and educational system. It has revealed the lack of advancement and education in technology within our education system. It’s revealed our educators’ lack of knowledge with technology and our administration’s gaps and vulnerability in the education system. There will be fall-outs for years to come for our children and an educational disadvantage and gap will be revealed.

What impact do you believe virtual/remote learning has on our children and their ability to learn and be successful?

As stated in question 1, the impact of COVID-19 on our children remains to be seen. Success in learning is based on a one’s desire to do so, their drive to be successful and achieve, their resources, and determination. We will know in the next five to ten years what impact COVID-19 had.

How can we better support our students during the time of COVID-19?

During COVID-19, it is imperative that we all are available to our students. There need to be visits made to those children’s homes where kids aren’t signing on computers. We need to make sure they have the resources they need, from computers to hotspots. There needs to be free resources for kids to go and receive assistance with access to internet and remote learning. Resources need to be made available in low-income housing to assist kids with remote learning.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what role do you believe limited resources and low wages have on our children’s ability to be successful and access the things they need?

Parent’s education.

What do you believe are potential barriers to economic mobility and academic success?

In my mind, I do believe that its about equity. Not everybody gets the same opportunities. We are trying and and we know it’s an issue but for me that is one of the potential barriers.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support neighbors with limited economic resources?

Right now during the pandemic it’s a little bit too complicated to do outreach. But I do believe that we have to go to communities and be present that will give them […] for a lot of communities, the ones that we want to work with, we have to make a better connection with them, a more personal connection with them and not just over the phone, but a place that you can call or go online. People have a lot of limitations, like language. They don’t have the device to connect — not everybody has access to a smartphone. For me the potential opportunity is to find the ability to be present in the neighborhood, that is going to help us more.

Safe and Stable Housing

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what impact do you believe housing cost and having a safe and stable place to live might have on our children trying to learn and their families?

Housing right now is a big, big, big, issue. But both related to low wages, to education, equity. It’s very complex. There aren’t enough affordable options for the families. And because of the education level and low wages, of course they cannot access a better housing situation. And when you don’t have that and are in neighbohoods that are not safe and the crime rate is high, that is something that is really, really challenging for a child to handle and adults don’t see it like that. Maybe they’re feeling that this is their only option and probably it is, but for the child we know that is one of the things that is effecting them for the rest of their lives. One of the barriers is the fear and not knowing all of their options. But not everybody have the same opportunities.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support our neighbors and push for housing that’s safe, stable, and affordable?

Right now, we don’t have equal pay. That’s real, that’s something that we cannot deny. Part-time work, you know, everybody’s just hiring for part-time work. And so that is also a big barrier. When you secure a full-time job, do you know it’s yours? In my mind I go back to the same thing — how can we help our communities?

We have to let them know that we’re here. We have to make that personal connection. For me, that’s the key thing .Right now we’re saying you need to because we were under a pandemic, but we are where we are because we never did that in the past. And now of course we’re we trying to fix it because we realized that, you know, this is an amazing country, the resources that we have over here, nobody else offered those.

And I’m always grateful that we’re able, better than we’re better than other countries around the world. But sometimes I feel like we have to do better for just our tiny little community. And that’s what you guys are doing and that is just amazing.

When I was reading the website the other day, I was just like, I’m so grateful to be here in the United States because, to be honest, that wasn’t my first choice in life. Growing up, when I was a little girl, that’s not where I saw myself building a life. But we’re doing better. When we see that we are one of the first 50 counties in terms of the poverty level, that’s just really sad. I feel like we’re trying to make our community better, but we’re missing something. And in my mind, we’re missing being present in the community. Yes, we’re present and there are a lot of programs available, but people don’t know. So, that’s where we have to make our effort a little bit more and let them know that we’re here to help.

As far as affordable housing, I feel like that’s something that a lot of our families deserve. They deserve to offer their kids better neighborhoods, and there just aren’t enough options.

Technology and the Digital Divide

How has adequate access to the internet impacted you or someone you know and their child, either before COVID-19 or during COVID-19?

Before COVID, it was probably extremely challenging for a lot of families to have access to better technology. During COVID, because of what the school system did, over here was something that other school systems didn’t do;  for me, improve a little bit.

But that doesn’t mean that families were not impacted. They were, but because of their lack of education, they perhaps they didn’t realize because of their lack of knowledge about how to use the technology. In my mind we were lucky to be able to have what we needed, but not everybody was. Some children didn’t have enough access to the technology at the beginning. I know that was challenging.

As staff, to handle those questions, we didn’t have enough devices to distribute in the school system. For me, it’s better than in other places. I’m not sure about the other areas in North Carolina, but I have family around the world. My kids are the only ones with a separate device compared to other kids. That’s a great opportunity that nobody else had.

Even the busses (with internet hotspots), the school system had their busses on the neighborhood just to be sure that the kids will have internet access. That was amazing, you know, it’s yours. I’m not sure about the whole of North Carolina, but I do know that we were very, very, very lucky in how we approached this.

What do you believe are potential approaches to improving adequate access to internet connectivity and devices for children in our community?

You know, this is an amazing country, but the education level over here is extremely low compared to others. In my case it’s because I’m not from here — my background is different. Our education level, even before the pandemic was always extremely low. I always tell my family, my kids, you know, my younger two, they won’t be able to compete worldwide with other students. For me, sometimes it’s a little bit sad because I know we have more options; at least my family has more options.

I do value other things that this country offered to us, but the testing part over here is just like, they concentrate too much on the score. Is that really a good measure of what the kids really know? The pressure is too much and that may be affecting how a child is testing. You have a child with so much anxiety because they have a test and they been taught that they have to do good.

I always compare my tiny little colony with others and that’s probably why I’m very demanding with my children about my expectations, because I do believe that the opportunities that they have here, nobody else does. We have a lot of options, but not everyone is able to afford the things they need. And that’s probably what we can try to improve, just to be sure that everybody at least is able to afford the basics. But I, in my case, I do believe that we do have a lot of options. We do. Maybe we don’t know about it. Maybe that’s what it is and that’s how I see it. In my case, we’re better off than most.

In the last 12 months with internet connectivity, many people are having the same issue. It’s not just us, this is a global issue because everybody’s facing these issues in many countries, with the same phone and internet providers. The providers have to improve in order for us to have more access. For the students, they have options that nobody else had in the past.

We have to do good. We have to score these numbers, you know, and I’m guessing that is what is affecting, that portion. During the pandemic, you know, what is dream really hard… But we have a lot of resources during the pandemic. This is good compared to others about, you know, trying to provide for the families, but this stress level that every single household faces it on a daily, you know, maybe not important label do it in the pandemic when we have to switch to remote learning that was just unbelievable.

We do know that we have families that left their kids by themselves because they still have to go to work. So it’s just that’s my, I guess my 5 cents about, you know, what Natasha was just common for me is like, you know, the way that the education level is a little bit lower, but the way that we pray sure, the kids to test is easy. It’s just too much for them to probably handle. And hopefully that will change at one point. But you know, it’s like, I tell you for my, you know, I have kids on that are different generations. My oldest, you know, especially, you know, especially my oldest, you know, she started really, really bright young lady really, really, really bright, she knows about every everything, but when you see her testing, you know, her, her grades, you were just like, what are your grades? Are they were not low because she all, we have, you know, a and BS, but her knowledge was way more than what I was seeing on her grades. And I have another one that I don’t even know what he knows and his grades are just amazing.

Mental Health and Wellness

What role do you believe mental health and wellness plays in overall wellbeing and student success?

In my case, for the Hispanic population, this is something that is not talked about. You have to be strong, there’s just no conversation about mental health — that does exist or I don’t recognize that. In my culture, that’s equal to being weak — you’re not strong enough. As we see how this is affecting the students, sometimes it’s extremely hard. If a teacher recognizes that mental health is an issue with a student, it’s very, very challenging to bring that conversation to the table.

How does mental health stigma impact the overall wellbeing of our community and our students?

For the Hispanic population and the families that we serve, in my case, depending on the background it’s easy for us to talk about it and offer resources. But it depends on who we are talking to. If I am talking to a Hispanic mom, the approach has to be totally different. If I am talking to an African American family, they will listen, but I am not sure they will take our suggestions. But if I am talking to a Caucasian or other ethnic group, somehow they are little bit more open to talk about it. That’s been my experience. And maybe that’s not reflecting the reality because I don’t have the data but this is what I have experienced.

What are potential barriers to awareness and access to mental health and wellness resources and supportive services?

In my previous position, that’s what we were doing — we were provding service to childcare providers that needed our assistance with children who were showing a behavior that they were unable to manage. And in a lot of those cases, we realize that maybe the behavior was more related to mental illness with the child or parents.

Changing the language when we’re talking to the family has helped us a lot. If you change the language, I’m guessing we can be more successful in passing the message that we want to pass through. We just want to be supportive. We just want to give you the resources that are available, the services that are there for you and your family. If your whole family is doing good, that is going to be equal to a child that is going to be able to succeed. But changing the language because it really is a really hard topic to discuss, especially if you are in denial. Especially if, in your family culture, you don’t talk about that. Changing the language. Knowing the population that you are serving. Knowing how they feel using the data that is available (like what has worked in the past).

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what role do you believe limited resources and low wages have on our children’s ability to be successful and access the things they need?

Younger children need quality education to start them out on their route to success to become the best person that they can be. But if their parents aren’t making enough money to send them to any type of structured childcare, then a child won’t be ready for Kindergarten – The children may not be ready socially, emotionally, which is a very big deal because they won’t be able to focus and learn. But if children aren’t exposed to childcare, or any type of extracurricular learning, or at least just somebody pushing them to just read a book for 5 or 10 minutes then they are not going to be ready to succeed.

What do you believe are potential barriers to economic mobility and academic success?

Not having the money or resources to send a child to childcare. Also not knowing what childcare is out there or what parents may qualify for. But for those parents who don’t know the right questions to ask or know about good educational programs, children can ultimately be impacted. For example, I had no idea what Kinner Music was. Sometimes in childcare centers I would see the little instruments with the names on it, but I had no idea what Kinner Music was or what type of impact it could have on our community until I went through the class proving that it’s really essential for us to be knowledgeable of what’s out there. Everybody, even parents who have nannies or other in-home caregivers supporting their families, may qualify for programs that can help their child build socialization skills, for example, so they can achieve greatness once they get to school. So, lack of knowledge is the biggest barrier.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support neighbors with limited economic resources?

Really and truly its things like what Smart Start is doing, what Childcare Resource Center is doing, what The Forsyth Promise is doing — getting out there in our communities and talking with everyone and seeing what’s going on, what things we need to do, what do we need to build, where do we need to go. Like Childcare Resource Center, together with Kinner Music, is planning a Kaliescope play and learn and we’re going into those low-economic communities and giving families, caregivers, children, and parents the opportunity to learn something new and be ready for a different experience that they may have never heard about. Just putting our community leaders, social leaders into the aspect of what are we doing in our community, what do we need in our community — just talking to those people to see what is going on.

Safe and Stable Housing

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what impact do you believe housing cost and having a safe and stable place to live might have on our children trying to learn and their families?

It’s a vicious cycle. Low-income parents who may just have a high school education may not have the income to afford a place that offers stable or even safe housing for them and their children. And if you’re not safe or feel safe, you may not be sleeping especially children. And the lack of sleep, and maybe even trauma, gets in the way of a children staying focused in school and not getting what they need to succeed. And as a result, there may be a label placed on that child where the child listens to the labels instead of being encouraged to do something better.

And then that trauma is put onto that child and that child is going into school or carrying these things. And they’re not able to focus in school. They’re not able to get where they need to go to succeed. And then maybe there’s a label put on that child. And then that child is, you know, maybe listening to the labels instead of being encouraged to do something better, to get out of that situation. So ultimately, housing and having a safe place to stay is important.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support our neighbors and push for housing that’s safe, stable, and affordable?

I would say things like The Forsyth Promise is doing where they went into some of those areas asking residents what their needs are and what they are looking for. So, going into our community, making our presence known, to advocate for better or for change.

Technology and the Digital Divide

What do you believe are potential approaches to improving adequate access to internet connectivity and devices for children in our community?

I don’t know because it’s a networking type of thing. For example, we had the internet from the school, but it wasn’t great. It kicked my son out a lot of times. It was also lagging a lot, but I don’t know if it’s because of our area due to lots of trees over here. Can we control some of the connectivity issues? I think we have a lot of work to do all the way around when it comes to internet access, like our rural areas getting internet.

Mental Health and Wellness

What role do you believe mental health and wellness plays in overall wellbeing and student success?

Mental health is big, big, big. For the African American community, for some of us mental health is pushed under the rug and not talked about. Some are in denial believing that it’s something that does not happen to us.”

And it is really, really awful that we put this stigma on our community because mental health affects everybody — whether it’s not knowing how to deal with your stress or some actual mental challenges.

We need to be able to get through those things, acknowledge that we have a problem or acknowledge that everything is not okay saying “I don’t feel okay” or “something’s wrong with my child — they don’t feel okay,” Also, it’s important to be able to talk about the issues and getting through a conversation with the appropriate doctors. If we don’t address these and acknowledge that mental health is real, families and children are not going to be successful.

How does mental health stigma impact the overall wellbeing of our community and our students?

Children, in some cultures, are forced to suppress their feelings which over time can build up causing children to act out or even harm to themselves.

What are potential barriers to awareness and access to mental health and wellness resources and supportive services?

This question makes me think about an experience I had where I, in my job role, explained my observations and concerns about a child to a parent, whose educational background was also in mental health and challenging behaviors. The response of the parent, “well hold on! Not MY child. Cause I KNOW what it looks like,” surprised me.  

How can I start the conversation if I’m going to get pushback even when it’s just me asking questions about something that I’m observing and conclude that I feel like this should talked about it? But the response I got was, “Wait now. We don’t need to talk about this because this is not my child because I know what it looks like.” But even though every situation and every case are different, sometimes it’s hard for some parents to get past that “Not MY child” kind of thinking. It’s first getting past that denial of “there’s nothing wrong with me, my child,” or parents saying “what did I do to my child for them to deserve this.”  

What are potential approaches to better support students and families as it relates to mental health and wellness?

When talking to families, change the language, and change the approach as well. Instead of approaching a single person, approach the group — to have the conversation with EVERYBODY so that everyone is included. Even if they don’t have any type of mental challenges, they understand what’s going on, so they’re better equipped to talk to that person.

The Impact of COVID-19

How has COVID-19 impacted our students and education system?

I would say it has really shined a light on our teachers, our childcare providers, on how important they are and unfortunately, the amount of respect that they are not given. And I feel like COVID has given everyone a new perspective on what it is that teachers actually go through, especially our preschool teachers. Some parents are struggling because they have to teach their kids – two and three-year-olds, they don’t know how to do it and they are stressed out. And because of their experience perhaps with only one or two children at home, parents wonder how teachers do it with 10 to 15 other children. Oh my gosh! So now that COVID is exists and everyone is quarantined at home, people are starting to value and respect our teachers more. And hopefully with this new spotlight on teachers and their important role, we can get our legislators and government leaders to understand that this job needs a pay increase. And COVID has really impacted our students and children.  They’re learning how to deal with being away from school and figuring out how to focus to get through classwork, homework, and manage time – some with success and others needing help.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages

I taught last year in a Title 1 school. I saw the kids coming in that couldn’t wait to jump in the breakfast line and taking a few things off of the “share table.” The share table had pre-packaged things that were included in the breakfast that were not wanted like apple slices, yogurt, milk. Some of my own students would grab a few packs of apples for the day. If a child is hungry, their attention is not there. If their attention is not present, they will not retain as well, affecting any assessment they may be given in school.

It really is just difficult to get an economic “leg up.” If you are lucky enough to make it through school, you need a degree and some encouragement to get a decent paying job. How are you going to pay for college? How are you going to work, go to school, and help with family? I encourage my children to do the best they can in school because I don’t have the money to pay for all of them to go to college. I know people that have a degree, get a job, and some have to cover a spouse or children on their insurance. By the time they cover insurance, rent/mortgage, car payments, student loan payments, food, gas, and incidentals, there isn’t much left. Helping people budget needs and wants would be a helpful service in the community.

The Impact of COVID-19

When the pandemic hit, the school district did their best to offer food for pick up and even putting buses or vans in some communities to make sure children were fed. They also tried to make sure each student was reached and got Chromebooks and even hot spots to those in need. I was at school one day and witnessed a lady picking up 10 lunches, not just for her children, but another 2 families that the parent/caregiver was working or just didn’t have transportation to get to school to pick up food. There was another member of our school family that reported another lady that was trying to help out while parents worked. She made it her goal to supervise the young scholars that didn’t get a hotspot, but their complex office made internet available to the children at certain times.

Discrimination and Bias

I personally haven’t seen the educational bias in my children’s schools because they are in Title 1 schools. The Title 1 school community they have been a part of has been supportive. It is a diverse group of learners and yes you can tell the haves from have nots, but I encourage them to learn and speak up and advocate for themselves and others when necessary.

I have seen the educational bias with special education. They are not given the same technology or resources at other schools. Sometimes they may be excluded from events if they are in a separate classroom within a typical school. Special education students need career/ tech education just like their typical peers. It may take them longer to learn a skill to be a contributing member of society. If they want to have a sports team or any clubs, they are on their own. Special Olympics is just as important as state championships.

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what role do you believe limited resources and low wages have on our children’s ability to be successful and access the things they need?

I do believe limited resources can hinder a child from succeeding academically. If a child has limited financial resources they may not be able to get the necessary academic help they need whether that is through tutoring or additional assistance outside the classroom. However, I do think limited resources are a problem but a larger challenge is access. Without access to information, resources could be limited. For example, if my child is having a challenge in a subject there could be free or discounted tutoring through the school system, but because I do not have access I would not know or by the time I find out the opportunity is no longer available.

What do you believe are potential barriers to economic mobility and academic success?

I think the most important barrier is cultural competency. Most of the teachers in our school systems come from suburban white communities and they do not understand the challenges of a child of color or a black child and they come in culturally conditioned. There is an assumption about black children academically and teachers interact with them based on those assumptions. Some black parents and parents of color are in low wage jobs and do not have the capability to attend parent teacher conferences without risking their jobs or work several jobs and do not have the ability to be involved like their white counterparts. This creates barriers because I don’t think the teacher or the principal understand how to meet the parent where they are or may not want to. With the lack of cultural competency I think there are challenges and ultimately it affects the child’s academic success.

Discrimination and Bias

How do you believe discrimination and bias show up in our schools and education system?

It goes without saying discrimination is very prevalent in the education system. A great example is the lack of black and brown children that are in Academically Gifted (AG) classes. Most of those children in the classes are white. The education system uses standardized testing to decide on the academic strengths of a child and this is an area where black and brown children struggle. This is the largest area of discrimination because it puts a false stigma on children. The AG students then have access to opportunities and events other students may not have access to because of a biased test that does not fairly grade students on their gifts and talents.  This can lead to a lack of self-confidence for children. It may also give AG students a false sense of security, and they may look down on other students.  There needs to be another way to test the academic success of a child outside of a standardized test. We need to tap into their academic gifts that can not be identified by a test.

What are potential barriers to reducing discrimination and bias in education?

The way to reduce barriers to discrimination is first to get rid of testing and get back to core academics and allowing teachers to nurture the gifts and talents in a child. As long as there are standardized tests there will be discrimination and until black and brown students see teachers that look like them there will be discrimination. The education system has marginalized black and brown children and those inside the system are not always proactively working to tear down systems inside education that hinder our black and brown children.   

What are potential opportunities to reducing discrimination and bias in our schools and the education system?

Another way to help students is to be more responsive to black and brown parents who are genuinely trying to help their children succeed academically. There was a study done and over 60 percent of teachers still treat the parents of black and brown students differently than their white counterparts even though the black and brown parents are fully engaged in their child’s education. Schools have to meet these parents where they are and understand they are not like the white suburban moms who stay at home and can be at the school each day and at every PTA meeting.

Standardized testing and connecting with parents of black and brown children are two important ways to help overcome barriers to discrimination in the education system and it will get black and brown children on the road to have a successful education experience.   

Income Insufficiency and Low Wages

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what role do you believe limited resources and low wages have on our children’s ability to be successful and access the things they need?

Low wages for any family will hinder them from getting the necessary materials needed. For example, if children are in school and don’t have the materials needed to complete school projects, they will be penalized for not having the materials or may not even do the project, which means a failing grade. As this continues, the kid could drop out of school and you know as well as I do, it is hard to find a decent job without a high school diploma. It is even harder to make a better living if you don’t have a college degree as well or even the skills to go into a trade or career.

What do you believe are potential barriers to economic mobility and academic success?

Minorities not giving the same chances as their counterparts, lack of resources, lack of skills.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support neighbors with limited economic resources?

Bring more programs and resources to the communities.

Safe and Stable Housing

When thinking about challenges facing our community and in educating our children, what impact do you believe housing cost and having a safe and stable place to live might have on our children trying to learn and their families?

Housing stability has a huge impact on families. If they are not in a safe and stable place, it is hard for the children to focus on school, it is also hard for the parents to focus if they are not in a safe neighborhood. There are issues with violence in the communities, children being left home alone, etc. Also if the parent can’t pay the rent, they may end up homeless and then there are more problems that will exist.

What do you believe are potential opportunities to support our neighbors and push for housing that’s safe, stable, and affordable?

There should be grants or funds from the city that can be provided to rehab and repair or tear down run down neighborhoods and rebuild them. Good stable housing should also be available and subsidized, in good neighborhoods as long as tenants follow rules and pay rent.

Technology and the Digital Divide

How has adequate access to the internet impacted you or someone you know and their child, either before COVID-19 or during COVID-19?

Many of our parents did not have internet before the pandemic hit. Fortunately, some of our families have relied on our Boys & Girls Club as a remote learning site. The unfortunate thing is that we were not able to house all of our members, due to the social distancing requirements. We had to reduce our numbers so we would be in compliance with Governor Roy Cooper’s recommendations. We also had to spend funds to upgrade and bring our internet service up, so we could accommodate the members attending our remote learning program.

What do you believe are potential approaches to improving adequate access to internet connectivity and devices for children in our community?

I think the internet providers should provide families with the basic services for internet until their children complete school, so all children will be equipped with the service; this would be fair game for all. The poor continue to lack things that will improve their livelihood.

Mental Health and Wellness

What role do you believe mental health and wellness plays in overall wellbeing and student success?

I think mental health plays a major role in our young people’s wellbeing. We have members that are attending our Club today that are having mental health issues, breaking down and being depressed about the pressure of school, work, and remote learning as well as not being able to physically be in school, participate in school activities, etc.

How does mental health stigma impact the overall wellbeing of our community and our students?

People are scared to discuss mental health. A lot of people perceive mental health as a weakness.

What are potential barriers to awareness and access to mental health and wellness resources and supportive services?

Again, I think bringing the resources to the communities, instead of the families having to go find the resources and look for help outside of their communities.

What are potential approaches to better support students and families as it relates to mental health and wellness?

Provide materials for the families telling them about mental health. Resources need to be easy to read and understand and the resource should be readily available for them immediately, if needed.

Discrimination and Bias

How do you believe discrimination and bias show up in our schools and education system?

My son attended a predominately white middle school.  I witnessed Discrimination first-hand when he was detained in the office in (7th grade) for allegedly having a gun in his locker.

We didn’t even own a gun. Our son was so upset and my husband and I was devastated. We knew it wasn’t true, but to have a Principal call us and tell us he was in the office for allegedly having a gun, made me feel some kind of way. (ANGRY AS A MOTHER) As soon as I walked in and the Assistant Principal saw me, he paused and said, “I know your son and he is just as nice as he can be and wouldn’t hurt a fly.” His wife previously taught our son in Elementary School.  To think our son was discriminated against because he was black was hurtful.  They automatically detained and questioned him without me or my husband…no gun was ever found…and the apologies came, however, the damage was done. Discrimination and bias will continue to be an issue and we as community must work together to make change.

How do you believe discrimination and bias impacts our students and their academic success?

I know discrimination and bias is in the schools, and some minorities certainly are treated differently.  I think many do enough work to get by on academics and move on. If parents don’t keep up with their child’s work and how they are doing, they can be left behind. As parents, we have to challenge our children and work with the teachers and administration to empower all students.

What are potential barriers to reducing discrimination and bias in education?

Build diversity in the Education System.

What are potential opportunities to reducing discrimination and bias in our schools and the education system?

Hire more people of color in positions. Hire more people of color on the School Board, in higher Administrative Positions.

School Climate and Engagement

How do you believe parent/school engagement impacts academic experience, success, and relationship building?

The more the parents are involved and show their faces, support their child(ren) I think the children will do better and I think the teachers will work harder to help that child(ren).

What is the potential impact of positive parent/school/community engagement?

It will be an all-around positive place and I feel more people will support it.

What is the potential impact of negative parent/school/community engagement?

It will continue to be negative with little or no support.

What are potential approaches to better support parent/school/community engagement?

Continuing to do things together and get to know each other. Don’t just come out and support something, when there is something in it for you. Find out how you all can support each other more often.

The Impact of COVID-19

How has COVID-19 impacted our students and education system?

Major impact. Kids are behind and will continue to be behind until they go back in the classroom. As far as the education system:  Major impact for the Education System. With schools being shut down, our students have had to adapt to different and new types of learning and it has been difficult for many.

What impact do you believe virtual/remote learning has on our children and their ability to learn and be successful?

Major impact, some kids need the face-to-face all the time and cannot deal with the remote learning. Some kids are depressed by this. Many miss their friends, their teachers, etc. Being on a computer all day is not good for the students.

How can we better support our students during the time of COVID-19?

Just continuing to support them, in any way we can, socially, emotionally, even if they are failing and we know they are trying, we have to support them and continue to push them to do well. It is hard sitting at a computer all day, and going on Zoom meetings, etc.

I also think we have to really check in on kids, to see what their mental state is. This pandemic is affecting our young people. Some are ready to give up on school, because they are tired of being on the computer.