Each week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Maria Cerda is an LA Unified parent who advocates not only for her children’s schools but also for the school where she works. Cerda, a cafeteria...

Each week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) “When my son was only 13 years old, he wanted to end his life because he’s gay and was being bullied in school.” Candelaria Medina says...

Every week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Lluvia Saenz, whose three kids attend LA Unified’s Huntington Park Elementary, made sure she was in the district’s school board auditorium when the new superintendent, Austin...

Every week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Emilia Lara knew she needed to be involved in her son’s education. One thing she didn’t know is that as an English learner, her son needs...

Every week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Erika López and her two younger children have been homeless for two years. She’s endured domestic violence. An older son didn’t graduate high school, another is...

Every week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Fidelia Muralles came to this country three decades ago so her children could have a better education than she did growing up in Guatemala. She thought...

Every week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Sylvia Lopez’s oldest son was diagnosed with autism at an early age. James was in special education classes from preschool through middle school. But when he...

Silvia Flores, a mother of two students at two LA Unified schools in South LA, wanted to learn more about how she can help her kids succeed in school. So she signed up for the Alliance for a Better Community’s Parent Advocate Training Program, where she learned about building a parent network and working with...

Every week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Lia Martin’s 10-year-old son, Taylor, used to be two years behind grade level and didn’t want to go to school. Now he’s a year ahead in...

Every week, we sit down with Los Angeles parents to talk about their students, their schools, and what questions or suggestions they have for their school district. (See our previous interviews.) Lisette Duarte, project director of the Parent Empowerment Project of the Autism Society of Los Angeles, knows first-hand that families with autistic children face more than...