Erika Donalds
Recently I opened up to a journalist about my childhood and my high school years, and confessed that I didn’t even get into college at first. After the story published, I heard from many adults who appreciated knowing that someone who looks to be a success had to go through some tough times to get there. Other parents of slacking high school students were encouraged that all hope is not lost when your teen blows off an English final, guaranteeing an F in the course, like I did my sophomore year. As we near the end of another school year, some of you may be feeling like you could have done better, like your student wasted time or didn’t take advantage of educational opportunities. I’d like to provide some perspective.
Thankfully, our school system and our society provide ample opportunities for ‘turnarounds’. Whether your student is in elementary school, high school or out on their own, there is always time to set things right. If your child is a struggling reader, enroll them in a summer reading program, work with them using workbooks or other resources, or find a tutor. If the student is in high school, be sure that they know the full consequences of their actions. Illustrate to them what options they are afforded with a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) vs. a 3.0 GPA. Sometimes just knowing these outcomes can cause a young person to change their behavior.
In high school, I was class-averse. Meaning, I hardly attended and had a reputation as a “skipper”. I played varsity basketball and one game day my coach found out I was absent, which meant I could not play. After that, I made sure to come to school on game days, but wasn’t motivated to actually do the work. Then, my GPA fell below the eligibility threshold, and I was forced to sit and watch as my teammates lost without me. They still would have lost with me (we weren’t very good) but I hated sitting on the bench. I went from getting C’s and D’s that semester to earning A’s and B’s the next. I always had it in me, but the lack of consequences meant a lack of action on my part.
I had a single mother and we didn’t have much money for a good part of my teenage years. I knew I didn’t want to live that way as an adult, so after talking my way into Florida State University, I promised myself to never miss a class. I figured I had skipped enough in high school! I could probably count on one hand the times I missed class in my four years of college. I graduated magna cum laude with a degree in accounting and went on to get a masters, which I completed with a 4.0 GPA. I then passed the Certified Public Accountants exam on my first try – something less than 10% of applicants accomplish.
I’m sharing my story with you to give you some hope for your own child’s turnaround. It may come now, in elementary school, or well after high school graduation. Don’t give up on them. Keep trying to find different ways to inspire them. You never know what will be that one thing – as basketball was for me – that will make them take responsibility for their own success. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve apologized to my mom for all the stress I put her through during my teenage years. I’m so grateful that she never gave up on me. Now I’m used as the example when friends need some encouragement with their children – young and old!
We all know a child who needs a little extra attention. Maybe it’s your neighbor’s or maybe it’s your own. I want you to know that your school district is here for you. Reach out and let us know how we can help. Your child will be grateful (and sorry!) in the future!
Erika Donalds is a mother of three boys and a member of the Collier County School Board. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a Partner at a New York-based investment management firm. She is the founder of Parents R.O.C.K. and she is on the board of the Florida Coalition of School Board Members. Erika has a BS in Accounting from Florida State University and a Masters in Accountancy from Florida Atlantic University. She and her husband Byron have lived in Naples since 2002.