Parent Leadership Academy at UA to Celebrate Graduation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Parent Leadership Academy, an initiative of The University of Alabama, will celebrate the graduation of its third class of elementary school parents from across the Tuscaloosa City and County School Districts on Thursday, May 6, at 6 p.m. at Hotel Capstone.

The PLA is a program offered by the UA Office of Community Affairs Center for Community-Based Partnerships. Through PLA, parents learn to collaborate with educators and become active partners in the education of their child and other children in the community.

Tommy Hester, civic leader and retired bank executive, will be the guest speaker at the graduation event.

Some 45 parents – the largest number in the program’s history – will graduate this year. During the past three years, 95 parents have completed the program.

This year’s graduates include:

Tuscaloosa City Schools: Mary Foster and Tara Gaskins, Alberta Elementary; Felicia Bailey and Leigh Thompson, Arcadia Elementary; Crystal Graham and Roslyn L. Lewis, Central Primary; LaTesha Peebles and Juliette Clark, MLK Elementary; Tchalla Jerido and Vera Turner, Northington Elementary; Tameko Dumas and Debra Prince, Oakdale Primary; Sharon Moore, Rock Quarry Elementary; Gracie Coleman and Stephanie Wilson, Skyland Elementary; Katrina Taylor and Djuanna Cook, Southview Elementary; Lillian Beavers and Laurie Rogers, Verner Elementary; Lonnie Williams and Melinda Williams, University Place Elementary; Tanya Cochran and Rhonda Hart, Woodland Forrest Elementary

Tuscaloosa County Schools: Amy Watkins and Kimberly Booth, Buhl Elementary; Kimberly Spencer and Paula Barrentine, Cottondale Elementary; Mildred Thomas and Susan Winters, Crestmont Elementary; Bobbi Lowe and Roland Lewis, Faucett-Vestavia Elementary; DeAnne Flores and Rosetta Wilson, Flatwoods Elementary; LaKeesha Jones and Tina West, Holt Elementary; Shana Grammer and Meredith Wilson, Lake View Elementary; Shaunda Jackson and Kimberly Montgomery, Matthews Elementary; Jennifer Clark and Jennifer Pate, Maxwell Elementary; Regina Fray and Nikki Espinoza, Vance Elementary; Cynthia Sanford and April Stripling, Walker Elementary; Cynthia Davis and Paula Syring, Westwood Elementary

The PLA met once a month to discuss topics that included Parents as Leaders, Helping Your Child Achieve Academic Success, Discipline and the Child, and Supporting Your Child’s School.

Work has already begun on next year’s PLA, said Dr. Heather Pleasants, CCBP director of community education who also directs the PLA. Pleasants is gathering feedback and suggestions for the launch of a middle school PLA.