Diane Knight
Building Strong Partnerships in Education
As I have been out knocking on doors and attending School Community Councils, PTA meetings, vision screenings, and school carnivals, I have been thrilled at the involvement of parents and families in our schools. This unique partnership is not just “nice to have”—it’s essential, because when we involve parents and our community in education, the results are exponential.
Cherishing Relationships Beyond the Classroom
Although I am no longer in the classroom, I still cherish the relationships I made with parents, grandparents, and the larger community over the past several decades. I have partnered with thousands of parents over my career, and those relationships mean everything to me. In fact, I have a small army of past parents and students who are assisting with my campaign, and I am deeply grateful for their support.
Opportunities for Parent Involvement
As a teacher, I actively sought out opportunities for parents to be involved. PTA and School Community Council are well-known opportunities, but there are many other ways, large and small, that parents can contribute. Parents who aren’t able to come into the school can do many tasks at home that free up teacher time to focus more on students. By being intentional and thoughtful, teachers can plan ahead for these opportunities and allow parents to be involved in ways that work for them.
Community Voices and Innovative Ideas
As I have been out knocking on doors, I have met people from the community who have shared valuable and visionary ideas about education—everything from using AI in the classroom to providing internship opportunities for secondary students. I welcome this input and want to encourage the community at large to be part of what we do in Aspen Peaks School District.
With Silicon Slopes in our boundaries, we should seek out feedback and partnering relationships with those who will be employing our students in the future. Such relationships are valuable to both sides and can truly enrich what we offer to our students.
Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear your ideas as well! Together we can make Aspen Peaks School District into something truly extraordinary.