Families want safe and caring schools, the opportunity for their kids to go to college and to experience success, and for their kids to build a purposeful life — and yet, they don’t feel they have all the tools to help their kids across the finish line. They are tired of running a parenting race — the winner-take-all competition that fuels inequitable schooling.
Families are asking questions about preparedness. They want to understand how their kids develop and learn, and what matters most to their kids’ growth and success. With this knowledge, families can be the most powerful advocates for their kids, both at home and at school.
Marshall is dedicated to deeply understanding the needs of parents and children. We use our learnings to respond to the changing educational landscape and challenges facing our nation’s families.
We began with Prepared Parents to provide families with the tools to nurture their kids’ social-emotional and learning needs at home. Today, we are focused on exploring new, integrated models of support and services for families as they navigate moments of crisis for their children at school.
While the pandemic was a once-in-a-lifetime event that impacted us all, millions of families experience individual disruptions every year when they find out their child is struggling, or when they are told school “just isn’t working.”
Whether it’s a diagnosis of a learning difference or trauma-related mental health challenge, navigating these moments of crisis is stressful, confusing and isolating for families. Without support, these disruptions can have negative, long-lasting consequences for children. And like other educational disparities, these consequences disproportionately affect students of color and our most underserved communities.
These challenges are complex. Yet, too often, both families and schools lack the information, resources and coordination to work together to quickly develop a cohesive plan that best serves the child and family.
What if families had access to a cohesive and reliable system of support to navigate moments of crisis that leads to the best long-term outcome for kids, and is sustainable for schools?
Our next project will explore the creation of an integrated, one-stop model accessible by families and schools that combines:
If you are interested in learning more, or partnering on this project, please email Mira Browne at mbrowne@summitps.org.
in the U.S. have learning and attention issues such as dyslexia and ADHD
or, 14% of public school students, receive special education services
or, 5% of public school students, had serious discipline problems that resulted in an out-of-school suspension
Prepared Parents was born to bridge the gap between school and home. We unbox leading learning science, developmental psychology, and behavioral research for families to support their kids’ social-emotional and learning needs at home.
Our Resource Center includes 100+ tips and activities for busy families to develop habits and skills that nurture curious, independent, and resilient kids. Together, our resources unpack the education that families want, kids deserve, and teachers love.
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When schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, parents needed resources to meet the challenges of remote learning and tools to support their kids’ mental and social-emotional health. Our work helped parents struggling through the most chaotic period in American public education. In the midst of a global pandemic, we worked quickly and nimbly to support families struggling with new and unprecedented challenges:
Entrepreneur in ResidenceFounding Executive Director, Prepared Parents
The vision that inspired Prepared Parents is just as relevant today as it was when we began two years ago. We don’t want to go back to “normal” because we know that it isn’t good enough. Our kids deserve to pursue the lives they want to live — lives filled with financial security, purposeful work, meaningful relationships, and networks of support. Turning that vision into reality is the most essential work we — individually and collectively — can do.
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Prepared Parents builds on the bestselling book, Prepared: What Kids Need for a Fulfilled Life, authored by Diane Tavenner, CEO Summit Public Schools. Diane wrote Prepared to spark a much-needed, national conversation about how to achieve success for all kids.
In Prepared, Diane shares her journey as an educator, mother, and leader of one of America’s most innovative public-school networks. She gives parents a roadmap to prepare their children to succeed in college, thrive in today’s workplace, and lead secure and fulfilled lives.
Mira is focused on the exploration of new models of support for families within the public education system. She is the founder of Prepared Parents, a digital platform with 100+ tips and tools for parents to nurture their kid’s social-emotional and learning needs at home. Previously, Mira was an executive leader with Summit Public Schools where she developed equity-focused programming, led charter school growth initiatives, and launched a first-of-its-kind public/private partnership serving schools and families nationwide. Prior to Summit, Mira worked across several nonprofit and government sectors, including in the administration of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in New York City, and with the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C. to support the civic and political engagement of Arab Americans. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Drawing on two decades as a teacher and school leader, Prepared author Diane created a first-of-its kind education model that prepares kids for college and a good life after graduation. She often jokes that she has two children: her son, and Summit’s flagship school, born the same year.
Adam is the Executive Director of Marshall Street and former Chief Academic Officer of Summit Public Schools. A lifelong educator who has taught and created educational programs in the United States, Indonesia, and Argentina, Adam loves working with fiercely-driven leaders who strive for an excellent and equitable system of education for all students. He also loves his two young kids and two old dogs.
As the Director of Development for Summit Public Schools, Wilita brings experience in development, finance, and program management. Additionally, Wilita serves on several nonprofit boards to advise, consult, and execute services to support holistic education and the development of youth within marginalized communities nationally and internationally. Wilita received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Fresno State University and later earned a Master’s degree in International Studies from the University of San Francisco. Whether playing soccer, building puzzles, or reading with his two girls, he loves engaging in activities that contribute to their holistic wellbeing.