Elevating Parent Voice: Board Member Earl Lattimore and His Successful LEADers
Family engagement is an essential element of a student’s success in school, and there’s no better example of that than LEAD Board Member Earl Lattimore. He brings a unique perspective to the LEAD Public Schools Board as a parent of two former LEAD students. His son, Tyree, recently successfully defended his PhD, and his daughter, Justice, is currently interning at the Conservancy of SW Florida doing sea turtle conservation. She will be pursuing a fully funded master’s degree in environmental science this fall.
Tyree began his journey at LEAD Public Schools when it was still a fairly new network, and the Lattimore family had limited experience with charter schools. “We did not have in-depth knowledge about the charter school realm,” said Lattimore. “We asked Tyree if he wanted to give it a try and he said yes. From that point on, the commitment was established. Justice followed suit, having witnessed his experience firsthand.”
Lattimore confirmed that the decision to be a part of LEAD put both of his children on a trajectory to pursue their goals. “The dedication of teachers to learning and teaching to the whole child is something that LEAD does well,” he said. “[My children’s] socioemotional needs and overall well-being were just as important as their ability to learn. The opportunities outside of the classroom and the diversity of LEAD’s population contributed heavily to the success of both children.”
“I believe parents and students should have the opportunity to determine what works best for them. Choosing LEAD for our children was clearly one of the best decisions of our lives. It is my desire to see every LEAD student thrive and transition to and through any challenges they may experience and on to their next milestone. LEAD has model that works and with that, the sky is the limit.”
Lattimore first joined the board at LEAD as a parent representative to ensure the voices of LEAD families were heard. Although his children have both graduated, he continues to give his time to support the future of the network. “I bring the perspective of the everyday parent to the LEAD board,” he said. “It is imperative for the board to have representation and immediate connection to the population they are responsible for governing.” Lattimore also brings 20 years of experience in the education and social services fields.
Lattimore believes that the driving factors behind LEAD’s success are strong leadership and dedication to meeting our families where they are. “The administration of LEAD has been student-centered since its inception. Catering to the demographic needs of the families being served has also been at the forefront,” he said. “To be successful in supporting students and families, it’s important to be aware of their needs in and out of the classroom. LEAD continues to ensure the wraparound supports are available for students and families which creates a culture of success.”
For more information about LEAD’s board of directors, click here.
