Meet the FACEs: Erin Molitoris at LEAD Southeast

Meet Erin Molitoris, the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) coordinator at our LEAD Southeast campus in Antioch. “Ms. Molly” has been the FACE coordinator since June of 2016.

“I believe it is my job to make sure all of our families feel welcome at LEAD Southeast,” she said. “I facilitate opportunities for families to build their ability to support their student’s learning. I also believe that it is my role to connect community partners with needs our school has so that we are creating authentic, reciprocal partnerships in the community.”

Alongside colleagues Rania Agaib (LEAD Academy, LEAD Cameron), John Strickland (LEAD Brick Church) and Blanca Cross (LEAD Neely’s Bend), Erin’s chief responsibility is to “represent the interests and desires, both realized and undeveloped, of our families,” said Corey Burton, LEAD’s Director of Enrollment and Family Engagement.

“Our job is to provide the avenues for authentic relationships to develop and for families to see better opportunities for themselves in our schools,” he said.

On Erin, he said: “The FACE team last year worked to identify some clear messages around how we view our work. Essentially, what we came to was creating a situation where families feel ‘that their kids are happy, safe, valued, and guided along a personalized path of growth.’ Erin’s commitment to serving others authentically is exactly the ‘FACE’ we want to have representing our organization.”  

Here’s Erin in her own words.

What does it mean for you to be a FACE coordinator in our schools? 

I work at LEAD because I believe our network is making a difference in the community by providing a high-quality education for ALL students in Nashville. I love how the administration supports both teachers and students in order to create a joyful atmosphere where both students and teachers want to come to school!

What’s your educational background? 

I received my bachelor’s degree in 2005 from Auburn University and my master’s in 2009, also from Auburn University.

What is your favorite part about your job in family and community engagement? 

Being able to assist families choose the best school option for their children that would enable their students to excel in their next step or school.

Why do you work at LEAD? 

Because we believe in a better future for our students and so do I.

What does it mean to you to help “families take the LEAD”?

It means helping our families learn how they can best support their student’s learning at home while also learning from families how we can best support their student at school. It’s a powerful partnership when family and schools work together!

Name an Ethos that means something to you and please briefly describe why. 

Being courageous is an important ethos to me. It means getting outside of my comfort zone in order to improve myself, a relationship or a situation in my life. I think my most valuable life experiences have all started with a little bit of courage!

What are seven words that best describe you? 

Positive, inclusive, friendly, dedicated, passionate, empathetic and a connector.

What are five words that best describe our network? 

Diverse, High Standards, Committed, Passionate, Growing.