1. Below you will read the wonderful story of a Parent University graduate who is now teaching
and leading classes for the program.
Elsa was a math teacher in her native El Salvador and has been a parent organizer
in East Boston. She has drawn on her skills, knowledge, and experience to help
other parents be able to more effectively support their children’s education through
the Parent University program.
Elsa Flores’ Story
(School Year 2012-2013)
Hi my name is Elsa Flores. I have 3 children studying in Boston Public Schools: Walter
Membreno-Flores in 7th grade at the Mario Umana Academy, Fernando Membreno-Flores in 3rd
grade at the James Otis School, and Christopher Membreno-Flores in K-2, also at the Otis.
It was in the school year 2009-2010 when I first heard about Parent University from Mara Dos
Santos, the FCOC at the James Otis Elementary School who announced to the Otis parents
about this wonderful opportunity. I said to myself… Oh! Oh! it sounds great because through
learning I can get the knowledge and tools to help in my children’s education, to grow and to
gain more experience as a professional in education, and to help other parents to encourage them
to participate in this program too. That’s why I got involved in taking action to participate in this
program. The more sessions I went to, the more I liked the idea of continuing to participate in
Parent University.
Also, from 2010 to 2012 I earned at least 10 points and graduated from Parent University. As a
Latina mother I feel proud and happy to have had great experiences through taking training and
educational workshops because it helped me to grow as a leader in my community. Through my
involvement in Parent University, I have had the opportunity to be an assistant teacher in the
Parent Math Class in Spanish, to participate as an active member of the School Site Council at
the James Otis Elementary School, to help other parents to register to attend Parent University
sessions, and to volunteer in a 2nd grade classroom at the Otis School through Boston Partners in
Education. Recently, I participated in a Train the Trainer program and will be serving as a co-facilitator
of a 10 week program for parents called The Mind Matters: Families make a
Difference. All this has made a huge difference in my life, especially as my knowledge and
personal and professional experience has grown.
In conclusion, I feel proud to have participated in Parent University because it has provided me
the opportunity to build upon my skills to help in the education of my children, who are my top
priority. Also through my story, I would like to say thank you to all the people who make Parent
University possible, especially to Superintendent Carol Johnson for her support and to the

2. Parent University Director Cyntoria Grant for the wonderful work that she is doing in this
successful program. I would also like to thank Principal Paula Goncalves and FCOC Mara
Dos Santos both from the James Otis School for believing that parent involvement is very
important for our children to be successful in school, for encouraging the Otis parents to
participate in the Parent University Program, and for the excellent teamwork that they are doing
in the school to help our children achieve academic success.
May God bless all of you!!!
Sincerely,
Elsa Flores
East Boston Parent Leader