Great schools are built on strong partnerships between educators and families. At Blackshear Elementary in Houston’s Third Ward, that partnership extends beyond the classroom. Through The Parent Teacher Collaborative, parent PTO leaders are continuing their own education while helping build a school community where learning is a lifelong pursuit.
As part of the program, parent leaders are encouraged to pursue educational goals of their own, whether that means earning a high school diploma, completing certifications, or building new professional skills. Their commitment sends a powerful message to their children: learning never stops.
That message has never been more important. Today’s elementary students will graduate into a rapidly changing economy. By 2036, 70% of jobs in Texas will require education or training beyond high school. Preparing students for that future starts long before they begin thinking about college or careers. It starts by helping them discover what’s possible.
When Chazelle Fields joined The Parent Teacher Collaborative, her son Tristen was in third grade. Two years later, their shared commitment to learning is paying off. Tristen is now a thriving fifth grader whose attendance and academic performance have steadily improved, while Fields has earned her high school diploma and additional certifications.
She’s not alone. Naushunea Houston is preparing to begin school herself after finding encouragement and support through Blackshear and The Parent Teacher Collaborative. As she takes that next step, she is also encouraging her children to dream big about their own future. Her daughter aspires to be a firefighter or nurse.
“Blackshear is like a village,” said Shaqueria Ford.
Ford has strengthened her professional communication skills while celebrating her daughter’s progress as a reader and watching her son become more confident and social.
The spirit of possibility is echoed in the classroom. Through partnerships with local organizations, Blackshear students explore future careers and new interests through programs like “Doctor for a Day” with the University of Houston, entrepreneurship experiences, after-school ballet, and a community garden. These opportunities help students discover what excites them and begin imagining the many paths their futures could take.
When children see the adults in their lives learning, growing, and pursuing new opportunities, they begin to believe those possibilities exist for themselves.
Parents don’t have to wait until high school to start those conversations. Ask your child what excites them. What problems do they want to solve? What careers sound interesting? Explore new experiences together and encourage their curiosity. Every conversation today can help open doors for tomorrow.
At Blackshear Elementary, parents are proving that when families learn together, everyone moves forward.