When parents are involved in their children's education, kids do better in school. Want to learn how to help your child achieve and succeed? Read on! You'll learn why involvement is so important and suggestions for how to get involved.
Getting Involved in Your Child's Education (NEA)
NEA/PTA Parent Guides
Helping Your Child Excel (WEA)
The Benefits of Family-School Partnerships (NCPIE)

Kent Area PTA Council (KAC)

Kent Area PTA Council (KAC) serves all the local unit PTAs in the Kent School District which includes the communities of Kent, Covington, and parts of unincorporated South King County. As part of Region 9, the KAC is affiliated with both the Washington State and National PTAs.

KEA Supported Student Activities

The Kent Education Association believes in the value of extracurricular activities for students. Research has determined that students involved in extracurricular activities are more likely to become leaders, more willing to complete tasks, more willing to voice opinions, and more likely to graduate from high school and have annual incomes of more than $50,000. Extracurricular activities are also a good way to explore social, political, and career interests. Consequently, KEA members support a wide variety of student activities in local schools by providing thousands of hours of uncompensated supervisory/advisory support.

WEA Children's Fund

Do you know students whose families can't afford to buy a warm coat, a new pair of boots or basic school supplies? The WEA Children's Fund can help! The Children's Fund reimburses WEA members who buy items to meet the modest, immediate needs of their students.
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For Students Interested in a Teaching Career

Selecting a career path is challenging and exciting because there are so many things to consider as you prepare to work in Washington’s public school system.

A good place to start is a self-assessment focused on your interests and talents. Consider these questions:

• Do you have a love for learning that often has you seeking more information about things?
• Do you enjoy working with children and young adults?
• Do you receive great satisfaction from helping others learn new things?
• Do you have good oral and written communication skills?
• Do you enjoy working collaboratively with others who love learning?
• Do you enjoy challenges and ever-changing opportunities?
• Do you want to change the world?

If you answered yes to all (or most) of these questions you would probably enjoy teaching. The challenges are exciting, and the rewards are priceless. Few accomplishments in life can measure up to the smile on a young boy’s face when he first realizes that he can read, or the delight expressed by a young woman who solves her first calculus problem. So, if you want to inspire and instruct the next generation of musicians, mathematicians, nurses, scientists, astronauts, and philosophers, choose teaching!

"Teaching is an interesting and challenging profession. It is not for the meek or faint of heart." This statement, found in Joan DellaValle and Emmett Sawyer’s book, "Teacher Career Starter: The Road to a Rewarding Career," sets forth a challenge and a great opportunity. These challenges and opportunities exist in teaching. You can choose to teach very young children from pre-school through the elementary grades; or you can work with middle and high school students and specialize in the arts, sciences, math, or technology education. You can also teach at the technical college or university level. You may wish to work with physically, emotionally or intellectually challenged children as a teacher, guidance counselor, psychologist, physical or occupational therapist or social worker.

If you choose this career path, you could also have additional opportunities to exercise your talents. You can coach or be an adviser to extra-curricular activities from foreign language clubs to Future Farmers of America. You can use your leadership skills to mentor other teachers, lead curriculum design teams or pursue building and district leadership options as a principal or superintendent. Teachers can also use their leadership talents to advocate for others through involvement in the teachers’ union, professional associations and community organizations.

If you want to make a difference–TEACH!!!

Click here for information about the general requirements for teacher certification in Washington State.