Heart of Georgia Parent Mentors

The Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership is a partnership that brings together parents and professionals to promote better communication and collaboration among families, educators, and the community to enhance outcomes for students with disabilities. Two new parent mentors, Shonna Conyer in Bleckley County and Beth Evans in Pulaski County, have recently become part of the team of parent mentors in the Heart of Georgia Region, joining Kathy Simmons in Dodge County and Matt Reese in Montgomery County. These mentors work in their districts to help and support parents of students with disabilities.

The work of the parent mentors is crucial in assisting and empowering parents of students with disabilities in their school districts. They offer guidance, support, and access to resources for other parents, working closely with educators, staff, and administrators to promote family engagement in school and district activities. This fosters a supportive environment where family involvement is encouraged and appreciated. Moreover, these parent mentors collaborate with the community to advocate for including students with disabilities as valued members of society.

A state-wide Parent Mentor Kick-Off Event was held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Robert F. Hatcher, Sr. Conference Center at Middle Georgia State University, where parent mentors and special education directors from the Heart of Georgia Region came together with other parent mentors and special education directors from across the state for the Annual Parent Mentor Kick-off Event. The event, themed "Trailblazing to Success: Embracing New Paths on the Journey," served as a source of inspiration, facilitating collaboration between special education directors and parent mentors to discuss strategies for enhancing the work of parent mentors. To learn more about the Parent Mentor Partnership, visit the Georgia Parent Mentor Partnership Website.