ParentNet Founders
The vision for ParentNet's possibilities and the leadership to make it successful sits squarely on the shoulders of two women – Marilyn Price-Mitchell and Susan Grijalva. Their friendship, partnership and passion for increasing meaningful parent involvement in education began in 1996 when both had children in middle school. Little did they realize that their different professional backgrounds would synergize to create a program that would fill an unmet need in most American schools.
Price-Mitchell’s extensive experience in the world of business, organization development, and management training merged with Grijalva’s understanding and experience in the world of education. Like many partnerships, their work began as a small project – two parents taking on a leadership role to make their children’s school a better place. Their success spread by word of mouth.
When additional schools asked for their help to start ParentNet, they enthusiastically volunteered their time. As new schools worked together to improve the program, they responded with consistent leadership. Today, ParentNet is still in its infancy – but the message of why Price-Mitchell and Grijalva are doing this work is beginning to resonate around the country. Their shared vision is to see programs like ParentNet succeed in all types of schools, including those that are culturally and socio-economically diverse.
Marilyn Price-Mitchell is an organization development specialist, consultant, trainer, writer, speaker, and advocate for parent involvement in education. With more than thirty years experience in business, non-profit, and educational organizations, she has managed large-scale strategic planning and training projects, led community-building programs, and facilitated team building with groups throughout the U.S. and Canada. Marilyn holds a B.A. in sociology from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in Human Resource Development from University Associates in San Diego, CA. She is currently working on a Ph.D. in Human Development at the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, CA. Committed to creating a paradigm shift in how parents and schools work together to benefit kids, Marilyn has spearheaded the development of ParentInvolvementMatters.Org and currently serves as president of the National ParentNet Association. A mother or step-parent to six adult children and "youthful" grandmother of four, Marilyn lives in Bainbridge Island, WA with her husband Jay.  View Marilyn Price-Mitchell's profile
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Susan is an educator, consultant, trainer, and advocate for parent education and family involvement in schools. With more than thirty years experience in the field of education, teaching, and non-profit management, she has organized parent education programs in numerous communities in the U.S. and abroad and has served the National ParentNet Association as its Program Director for ten years. Sue holds a B.A. in music from Oberlin College and received her M.A. in education and teaching from Stanford University. Committed to the belief that educators must find improved ways to collaborate w ith parents on behalf of children, Sue remains actively involved with the National ParentNet Association as a member of its Board of Directors. She provides consulting services to schools wanting to start ParentNet or those seeking to develop a foundation of parent leadership. The mother of two recent college graduates, Sue lives in Redmond, WA with her husband Frank, Head of The Overlake School where ParentNet began its development in 1996. |
