ABCs of School Advocacy: Part 2

Boldness

Welcome! I am Sarah Lawson of LEAPS with Lawson. I am a licensed school psychologist practicing in Florida. For more information about my practice and me, read my first blog post! I am so glad you are here. Today I am writing about advocacy in schools. This is the second entry of three, with this topic being boldness.

If you read the first blog in this series, you know that the “A” in the Advocacy ABCs stands for awareness. We talked about how knowledge is power. This is true to an extent, but oftentimes, knowledge alone is not empowering. The next step to advocating for a student/your child is to be bold.

What does it mean to be bold?

To be bold means to act with courage, confidence, and audacity in pursuit of your goals or beliefs. It involves stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking risks, and facing challenges head-on without hesitation. Being bold often implies a willingness to defy norms, speak up when others remain silent, or take decisive action in uncertain situations. It's about having the bravery to assert yourself and make your presence known, even in the face of potential adversity or criticism. Being bold can lead to personal growth, new opportunities, and the ability to inspire others through your actions.

Sound scary? It (quite literally) is scary to be bold. While the ideals and actions mentioned above sound very self-oriented, it is important to remember why one should be bold. If you are like me, it may not feel natural to step outside of your comfort zone, especially if it means facing criticism. (Yes, I still remember being criticized in middle school over 20 years ago…but this is not about me.) Pair the fear and discomfort with an environment that may not feel supportive or inclusive, and it sounds like a recipe for taking a more passive approach, retreating, or remaining silent.

BUT...

Mom, dad, teacher, friend, auntie, grandma, Whatever Your Title, there are times it is imperative to speak up, speak out, and act.

WHY?

Your child, student, friend, niece, nephew, grandbaby, or whoever is worth it. Their rights are owed to them. Every person attending school is entitled to having access to the support they need to be successful. We learned that, right? It is not up for discussion, and while we may disagree with what an “appropriate” public education may look like, it cannot be argued that your loved one needs to be set up for success in school. I am not going to be dishonest here and tell you that it is easy to step into a room full of people who are professionals and are well-versed in the jargon and acronyms associated with schools. I wish I could say that every school team operates from a place of respecting and including all parents from all backgrounds. That is simply not the case. I do believe that most educators are out there trying to do what is best for kids. I have worked alongside many extraordinary educators, and I have been an advocate for all kids within the school walls. However, it is difficult for parents to navigate the educational system and to establish trust with school personnel. This is especially true for parents who are fluent in languages other than English, parents who have unique brain styles that may impact their level of understanding, and those who have experienced discrimination.

If you love a child who has unique learning needs, you probably agree that We do difficult things for the kids we love. It does not have to be as tough or scary because there are good people to partner with to navigate the unknown. Together, we can be bold.

Visit the Advocacy Corner on my site to learn more about student and family rights and resources in the community!