By Kelly Rowe
St. Leo School principal
We have all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” After 25 years in education, I have come to believe it may be one of the most important truths about educating our children.
And here in Woodford County, we have a pretty incredible village.
Schools are asked to do a lot. Of course, we teach reading, writing, math, science, and history. But anyone who has spent time inside a school knows that education goes far beyond academics.
We help children learn how to communicate, solve problems, handle disappointment, work with others and become more independent. Teachers encourage them, challenge them, celebrate their successes, and support them through difficult days.
But no matter how dedicated our educators are, schools cannot —and should not — do this work alone.
Educating the children of Woodford County is a community responsibility.
It begins with families. Parent involvement matters tremendously, but it doesn’t have to mean spending hours volunteering at school or attending every event. Sometimes it is asking, “What did you learn today?” Sometimes it is reading together, checking a backpack, communicating with a teacher, or simply making sure a child knows that education matters.
But imagine if we expanded that circle even further.
Think about the people throughout Woodford County who have knowledge, talents, and experiences they could share with our children.
We have retirees with a lifetime of experience. We have farmers, business owners, healthcare professionals, first responders, tradespeople, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs. We have high school and college students who could mentor younger children. We have people who speak multiple languages and people with hobbies and skills that could introduce a student to something completely new.
You don’t need a teaching degree to make a difference in a child’s education.
Sometimes a student simply needs another adult willing to listen while they read or help them practice a skill. Another student might benefit from meeting someone working in a career they have never considered. A child might discover a love of art, gardening, robotics, music, cooking, woodworking, or engineering because someone took the time to share a passion.
Our local businesses can be an important part of this work as well. Woodford County businesses are already incredibly generous in supporting schools, teams, and youth organizations. But partnership doesn’t always have to involve writing a check.
Businesses can share expertise, provide mentors, introduce students to careers or offer real-world learning experiences. Churches, nonprofits, and civic organizations can provide additional opportunities for service, leadership and belonging.
Schools have a responsibility in this partnership, too.
We have to open our doors. We have to communicate what we need and create meaningful opportunities for people to become involved. Sometimes, there may be someone right down the street who would gladly help a child if they simply knew there was a need.
Imagine what it communicates to a child when parents, teachers, coaches, neighbors, business owners, and community volunteers are all sending the same message: You matter. Your education matters. And this community is invested in your future.
The children sitting in classrooms throughout Woodford County today will someday be the adults caring for this community. They will become our business owners, healthcare workers, educators, first responders, tradespeople, parents, volunteers, and community leaders.
Their future and the future of Woodford County are connected.
So perhaps the question shouldn’t only be, “What are our schools doing for our children?”
Maybe each of us should also ask: “What can I do for our schools?”
Volunteer an hour. Share a skill. Mentor a student. Support a teacher. Partner with a classroom. Attend a student event. Celebrate the good things happening in education throughout our county.
And if you’re not sure where to begin, ask a school four simple words: “What do you need?”
Our children may attend different schools, but they are all part of the same community.
When Woodford County invests in its children, we aren’t just building stronger schools. We’re building a stronger Woodford County.