This week, Austin ISD is honoring our Parent Support Specialists with Parent Support Specialist Appreciation Week, praising the day in and day out, important work in serving our students, families, and school communities.
 
A Parent Support Specialist's responsibilities are diverse and far-reaching, and the impact on our students and their families is immeasurable. On any given day, a Parent Support Specialist might coordinate resources for a homeless student, counsel a family, or work with a teacher to address a student’s and their family’s needs.
 
Parent Support Specialists serve as connections between school, home, and community partners. Their goal is to nurture a family-friendly environment and to help parents build and use leadership skills. They lead workshops to help parents support their child’s education, assist with the organization and operation of PTAs and provide referrals to community resources.
 
In 2020, AISD Parent Support Specialists provided services to 29,654 students’ parents, families, and legal guardians, of whom 94% had students who qualified for free or reduced-price lunch.

“These Parent Support Specialists are an inspiration to students, teachers and community partners,” said Leonor Vargas, Administrative Supervisor of Parent Programs. “They are constantly looking for ways to better enhance the lives of our students and their families and we are a greater organization because of them.”
 
Parent Support Specialists are an integral part of our district. During Parent Support Specialist Week, we have the opportunity to recognize their contributions. Take time to thank them, this week and every week.
 
Visit the Parent Engagement Support Office website to learn more.