Ep 17: Safer neighborhoods, supportive homes, and high quality education for every child.

In today’s episode, we talk to Keri Rodrigues, mom-in-chief at Massachusetts Parents United. Keri is an advocate for safer neighborhoods, stable, secure, and supportive homes, and high quality education for every child. In addition to her work at Massachusetts Parents United, Keri is also on the executive committee for the Massachusetts Democratic Party and on the advisory board for Democrats for Education Reform.

Before working with parent engagement groups and in education, Rodrigues was an award winning journalist in southern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. She began her work in advocacy as a long time labor activist, working most directly with 1199SEIU. However, after experiencing major issues with the education system through personal experiences with her own children, Rodrigues decided to shift gears and help support families navigate schools in order to put children back at the forefront of the conversation. Since starting her work with MA Parents United, Keri has been fighting for better schools, safer neighborhoods, and putting children at the conversation about education.

We talk to Keri about her career, her work with Massachusetts Parents United, and why parent advocacy is so critical in the support of children and growth of schools. In addition, we discuss important and pressing issues surrounding our schools while also discussing the importance of families advocating for change in districts like Boston.