Parent Mentor Rachael Holland was recently recognized by Bexley City Schools as a School Champion, honoring her ongoing commitment to making schools and community spaces more inclusive and accessible for every student and family.
The Bexley Schools Champion recognition celebrates individuals who put the district’s mission into action. Holland was recognized for promoting the pillars of the district’s mission, having been nominated by the Bexley Education Foundation for her efforts to bring communication boards to elementary school playgrounds. The boards provide students and community members with additional ways to communicate, participate, and connect while using the playgrounds.
For Rachael, identifying a barrier and working to create a solution that benefits the whole community is what being a Parent Mentor is all about. Communication boards can give children who use alternative or augmentative communication, as well as children who are developing communication skills, a way to express themselves and interact with peers in a familiar, inclusive setting.
The recognition also reflects the broader role Parent Mentors play in their communities. As Bexley Schools’ Parent Mentor, Rachael supports parents in understanding special education processes and becoming effective advocates for their children. Her work draws on both her professional experience and lived experience as a Bexley parent of a child with an IEP.
The response from Bexley families demonstrates why this recognition matters. One parent shared:
“Rachael has been advocating for inclusion and accessibility for years, and these playground communication boards are a perfect example of her leadership in action! Congratulations!”
Another parent described Holland as a “true champion,” thanking her for continuing to support families and help create an equitable experience for every student. The parent added that the communication boards are “a huge leap forward for BCS!”
Rachael’s work demonstrates how a Parent Mentor can take what families share, recognize an opportunity for change, and help turn that need into a practical resource that benefits students, families, and the broader school community.