American Education Week, established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1921, is a powerful annual tradition dedicated to honoring the dedication and hard work of educators and the vital role of a quality education. It has since been celebrated annually to honor the importance of education and those who contribute to the educational process.
This week serves as a vital reminder that education is a shared responsibility that involves teachers, parents, students, and the community working together to provide the best learning opportunities. At Operation Xcel (OPX), we deeply embrace this partnership.
Saluting Our Dedicated Educators & Partners
We want to sincerely applaud all of the public school teachers who dedicate countless hours to students, especially those who stay afterschool to work with our children. Your commitment is the bedrock of American education. At OPX, we partner with this dedication by recognizing a crucial truth: to lift a student, you must first lift the family. We don't just provide afterschool help; we deliver enrichment that empowers the entire family unit.
Bridging Academia and Community
Our comprehensive support network is strengthened by dedicated student volunteers and interns from institutions like High Point University, NCA&T State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill APPLES. These university students, many studying STEM-related fields, come alongside our educators to provide valuable tutoring and mentorship. This partnership not only enhances our programs but also instills the value of community service and professional impact in the next generation of leaders.
The Parent Cafe: Partnering for Holistic Family Strength
The core of our holistic approach is the monthly Parent Cafe, a powerful partnership with Alcohol & Drug Services (ADS). This initiative is a prime example of the essential collaboration between parents and the community that American Education Week celebrates.
The Parent Cafe is designed to be accessible and barrier-free, often held at local recreation centers or event halls, and ADS generously provides a meal for all attendees.
Once dinner is complete, the program splits:
- For Parents: Trained facilitators from ADS—recently joined by OPX parents who have gone through specific training—lead vital discussions. These table talks focus on strengthening families using the five Protective Factors (resilience, relationships, support, knowledge, and communication). Discussions cover the pillars of building a strong family, including support networks, knowledge of child development, and communication skill-building to manage social and emotional competence.
- For Children: Our Family Engagement Specialist, Lori Walton, coordinates engaging, age-appropriate activities for the children, such as arts and crafts, storytelling, and other enrichment activities. This ensures that while parents are focused on personal growth, their children are also learning and having fun in a safe, structured environment.
Fortifying the Future, Together
While our students receive STEM-focused afterschool and summer programs, the Parent Cafe and university partnerships ensure we simultaneously invest in their parents. This dual focus creates a stable, knowledge-rich environment at home:
- Skill Building: By equipping parents with tangible skills through programs like the Cafe, they become stronger competitors in the workforce and better educational advocates for their children.
- Resource Navigation: We connect families to essential community resources (e.g., healthcare, food security, housing).
By enriching the entire family unit, we are working to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty permanently, fulfilling the highest promise of American education.
This American Education Week, we salute all educators and reaffirm our commitment to this comprehensive, family-first approach to education.
Show Your Support! Join the conversation and celebrate the power of education on social media using these hashtags:
#AmericanEducationWeek #ThankATeacher #QualityEducation #EducationMatters #TeachersRock #CommunitySupport #EducationForAll #HPU #NCA&TSU #AggiePride #UNCChapelHill #HighPointUniversity #NorthCarolinaA&TStateUniversity #UNCApples
