Parents for Public Education was founded by two educators: one former educator and one current educator. Since our inception in November of 2024, we have worked diligently toward our two goals: educating citizens and lawmakers on the needs of public education and supporting teachers in our own community in concrete ways:
- rewarding reimbursements to teachers for unpaid maternity leave
- providing free childcare for educators on professional development days
- building connections with policymakers at all levels
Our organization is working to fill the gaps that are widening for educators, especially those who are parents, so we can see an end to the mass exodus of qualified professionals from the most essential career. Our kids all deserve creative, hardworking, caring teachers.
We want public education to thrive and know it can only do so if those working with students daily are supported. Reimbursing teachers for unpaid maternity leave is a top priority to help teachers thrive.
In Texas, our home state, 78% of teachers seriously considered leaving the profession in 2024 (Charles Butt Foundation, The 2024 Texas Teacher Poll). I, Deidre Stevens, Cofounder and Vice President of Parents for Public Education, was one of those. Since age sixteen, I have been passionate about teaching. I have two degrees in education as well as eleven years of experience teaching everything from 8th-grade English as a Second Language classes to 12th-grade AP Literature and Composition. I am energized by discussing literature with students, helping them fine-tune their writing, and watching their skills and confidence grow.
But after years of dedicating my life to Texas students and obtaining my dream job working at my alma mater, I began to question if teaching was really the career for me after all when I became a mom.
How do we Address Teacher Burnout?
Like me, many parents who are teachers want to stay in the profession, but feel unable to do so since the career has become unsustainable and not family-friendly. While teachers are off during the summer with their kids, the lack of flexibility during the school year to take care of themselves and their families has led many strong educators, my Cofounder and PPE's President Kelly Browning among them, to quit teaching in favor of careers that value their families. Ironically, education is no longer one of those careers.
The most alarming gaps we identified and are working to fill are threefold:
Reimbursement for Docked Pay
Reimbursing educators and school employees who are docked pay due to caring for themselves or a dependent. We prioritize reimbursing teachers who are deducted pay for maternity leave since the state of Texas does not pay a single dollar of maternity leave for educators.
Free Childcare on Teacher Work Days
Providing free childcare for educators' elementary school-aged children on in-service days by partnering with community leaders who are experts in childcare.
Educating Lawmakers to Support Teachers
Educating policymakers on the front-line needs of educators. We build relationships with decision-makers from our own school district's principals, district leaders, and school board to state senators and representatives so they can better understand the needs of teachers and students.
So far, we have inspired Senate Bill 1722 and its sister bill House Bill 3822 during the 89th legislative session—which unfortunately have not passed this session—to provide 8 weeks of paid maternity leave for teachers who give birth as well as 4 weeks of paid parental leave for any non-birthing parents, including teachers whose partners give birth and those who foster or adopt children into their families.
While we work to educate lawmakers on the importance of honoring teachers who are parents with paid maternity leave, we also got started on directly improving educators' lives in our community...
During the 2024-2025 school year, we raised and distributed over $20,000 to educators in Friendswood ISD who were docked pay due to maternity leave, unplanned illnesses, and deaths in the family. This included reimbursing almost $15,000 of pay deducted during the 2024-2025 school year and a little over $6,000 that was deducted during the 2023-2024 school year. We also provided free childcare for 45 children on two teacher in-service days so educators did not have to go through the financial and emotional stress of finding babysitters. We estimate this saved FISD educators about $4,300 in babysitters' fees. Twenty-five teachers' kids are signed up for Teacher Kid Camp for the 2025-2026 school year, putting us at capacity before the school year even begins.
Through Teacher Kid Camp, Parents for Public Education plans to save educator parents about $23,000 in childcare during the 2025-2026 school year.
Our Work as an Organization is Just Getting Started
I have found a hope rising in my chest as I work extra hours during my son's naps or after he is asleep at night (I type this now cuddled next to him while he snores peacefully). Our goals are big, but each small step we take toward them ensures my little guy will have the quality education he deserves. Each call to Austin is a reminder there are parents out here who care about not just our own kiddos, but all of the kiddos in our state. In our country. Our teacher reimbursement grants, while rarely covering the whole cost of what our teachers have been deducted, have reminded me and the inspiring educators receiving them that the work we do with kids every day is important and valued in our community. The Teacher Kid Camp empowers educators as we implicitly tell them, "We value your kids as much as you value ours." The stress teachers endure to make a difference is worth it. Being a teacher is still something I will fight for, and together we can keep parents like me who love our own kids in the classroom, building up others' kids as well.
Would you like to have an impact on education in your community and beyond?
Join Parents for Public Education in the important work of retaining quality educators by connecting us with donors, calling your senator or representative to voice support for paid maternity leave for teachers, and thanking your children's teachers today.
Parents for Public Education in the Media
These teachers lost pay for taking parental leave. Some lawmakers are working on a fix.
Houston Chronicle
Non-profit group advocates for teachers in FISD
Reporter News
