The Silk Stocking Sisters

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Silk Stocking Sisters Podcast. In this episode, host Dr. Theresa J. Canada references her research in early childhood education to examine the powerful role parents played in the desegregation process of the 1960s and how their involvement shaped children’s early learning experiences. Dr. Canada highlights parent involvement as a key indicator of early academic success and emphasizes the importance of teachers who implement cultural aspects and foster meaningful relationships with the parents of their students. 

She shares firsthand experiences from her career as an educator that reinforce an important truth of student success: meaningful partnership between teachers and parents is essential to building a strong educational foundation. Through personal stories, she provides an understanding of Harlem’s community in the 1960s, the economic shifts that changed the community, and the shared commitment of parents who want only the best for their children. Dr. Canada reflects on her mother's commitment to quality education, an influence that led to Dr. Canada's participation in a desegregation experiment.