La Educación Es La Clave / Education Is The Key
Growing up as a first-generation college student meant navigating two worlds: the one my family knew and the one I was trying to understand.
At home, education was deeply valued but college was unfamiliar territory. My parents worked tirelessly in the vegetable and fruits fields in Salinas, California. They left their home in Jalisco, Mexico at a young age with only a sixth grade education but often reminded me, “La educación es la clave estudia para que no termines como nosotros.” Their sacrifices and hope for a better future gave me the strength to pursue their dream in a country that wasn’t built with us in mind.
Fast forward to me having to navigate school. High School felt like stepping into a world I wasn’t prepared for. I didn’t know what questions to ask, and my parents couldn’t guide me because they didn’t experience it either. Each school year passed with a quiet hope that somehow I’d figure it out what’s next. It wasn’t until my senior year that I realized college was something I needed to pursue—but I had no idea where to start.
Important steps and paperwork such as SATs and my goodness, FAFSA…What is that? And why are they asking for so much information? I remember staring at the form, overwhelmed, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar language and acronyms.
I was proud to be the first in my family to even attempt college, but I also felt the pressure of getting it right—not just for me, but for all of us (my family). College wasn’t just a personal goal—it was a family milestone and even a dream come true. It marked the beginning of a new chapter for our family and those who would come after me. As meaningful as that was, it came with a lot of pressure.
Now, as a first-generation Latina college graduate, I’m reminded every day in my work how powerful it is when families are informed and involved. I often think about what a difference a program like the Parent Educator Academy would have made for my parents and for me. That’s why I’m committed to helping families dream big with their children and to making sure they feel seen and supported in a system that wasn’t made for us but can be reshaped by us.
This Work Is Personal
As the Program Manager at ALL In Education focusing on the The Parent Educator Academy, I’ve seen firsthand how families want to be deeply involved in their children’s educational journeys yet sometimes don’t have the right resources, yet. Due to my lived experience, I made it a personal mission to ensure that every parent and caregiver in the Parent Educator Academy has access to the tools and resources I wish my own family had. This isn’t just a job—it’s deeply personal. It’s the connection I carry into everything I do at ALL In Education.
The Parent Educator Academy is designed to help parents understand the K–12 school system, connect with useful tools and resources in their communities, and grow their confidence as advocates for their students. While our main focus isn’t college preparation, we know how important it is for families to begin imagining what comes next for their children and themselves. That’s why we include a session dedicated to exploring higher education not just for students, but for parents too. Hearing the stories, questions, and frustrations from parents always takes me back to my own experience. I see my younger self in their children and my parents in them. And every time, I’m reminded why this work matters to help families dream bigger and advocate louder.
Centering Access
We center accessibility and inclusivity in our curriculum whether it’s breaking down early literacy, sharing resources, or simply giving parents a space to be heard in our sessions . Over and over, we hear the same concern: “I want to support my child, but I don’t know where to start.”
That’s exactly where our work begins by turning uncertainty into confidence. Through tools, community, and guidance, transforming good intentions into action.
I’ll never forget a parent who once said “I wish someone had explained this to me sooner. I always thought my job was done after high school” That stuck with me because too often, parents are made to feel like they don’t belong in the room. But they do. And when they’re given the chance to step in. Their children feel it. Their schools feel it.
The Heart Of The Work
This is the heart of the work we carry into spaces like the Parent Educator Academy making sure parents and caregivers have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to navigate systems that once felt closed to so many of us. As someone who grew up watching my own parents struggle to understand and support a school system they weren’t familiar with, I know firsthand how isolating and overwhelming it can be. I also know how powerful it is when families are equipped and encouraged to lead. Your experience matters. What you lived through before stepping onto a college campus shaped who you are, and it matters. Your roots are your strength. The values you carry and the community that raised you are powerful tools you take with you and through programs like PEA, we make sure parents know just how valuable they truly are.
Advice To Parents
My advice to parents is that your role as an advocate is still essential even if your kids will soon be off to high school or college. Your emotional support and presence can make a huge difference in your child’s success. Here are a few tips to support them along the way:
- Talk to them, even if you don’t have all the answers. Your voice matters.
- Show up when you can to events, info sessions, or even just to listen.
- Encourage them to ask for help and remind them it’s okay not to know everything.
- Trust in your own way of supporting them. You’ve been their guide their whole life.