With all of the changes brought on by Covid-19, our program and our families have had to quickly adapt to this new normal. Families as Partners has witnessed families across the district demonstrate patience, flexibility, and creativity during these trying times. We had the opportunity to have a conversation with a former Technology Parent Champion, Dulce Chavez, about her experience these past months.
When schools began to shift to virtual programming in the Spring, Dulce used the expertise she had gained from earning her Office Assistant Certificate at ACC, and her community network, to assist parents and teachers at McBee Elementary School, where her 11-year-old son Jordan was enrolled. She helped parents and teachers alike navigate the speedy transition. When Jordan started virtual school this Fall, she shifted her attention to supporting his needs. Dulce shared that online school was difficult at first, as both she and Jordan were learning an entirely new platform and schedule, but that didn’t stop her from taking on the challenge. “I have learned that I know how to teach myself more than I thought,” she reflected. We certainly agree!
Dulce created an individualized system for Jordan that included a unique visual schedule, for his synchronous and asynchronous classes, and preset alarms to help him stay on track. This resourceful system has been a huge success in their household, as she noted that Jordan is demonstrating a higher level of independence and productivity, but Dulce didn’t stop there.
In the spirit of helping others, she posted a video about the visual schedule she created on her social media pages in hopes that other parents might benefit from this tool. She was correct! Since the post, parents have been reaching out to her to learn how they can create similar aides for their children. Dulce takes the time to assist them however they might need it, either by sending templates or taking time out of her schedule to meet with them. Although Dulce expressed how much she misses volunteering and being at school with parents and teachers, she has remained true to the essence of the program by being a leader and sharing her expertise and knowledge in support of other parents, not only in her community but also in other schools.
In addition to caring for her community, Dulce has also implemented some essential self-care strategies to bring her and her family joy. When asked what she has learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, Dulce shared, “I’ve learned that family time is priceless.” She has enjoyed going for after-dinner walks with her son and husband to relieve stress. “We get to share what happened at my job, [my husband’s] job, Jordan’s school”, she says, “we get back and everything is so calm, it just clears your mind.” In a time when it is so easy to isolate and disconnect, Dulce exemplifies how our families are rising to the occasion and helping each other along the way.
