Pathways to Success Workshop Builds Bridges with Multilingual Families in Dublin City Schools

Dee Marks, Parent Mentor for Dublin City Schools, hosted a heartfelt and culturally inclusive Pathways to Success workshop on April 10, 2025, welcoming 17 parents and caregivers—many of whom were part of the district’s Japanese-speaking community. The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center trains on The Pathways to Success workshop, which aims to foster connections and a sense of belonging among multilingual families. It provides resources and opportunities for families to share their ideas and questions about their child’s education.

With the support of two bilingual aides, Dee extended personalized invitations to 41 Japanese-speaking families. Of the 17 attendees, 11 were multilingual learners, prompting Dee to adapt her planned activities to accommodate translation needs to ensure everyone felt included.

The session opened with an introduction to Dee’s role as a Parent Mentor and an overview of the day’s agenda. A highlight of the event was a lively game of acronym bingo, featuring key terms used in special education. In a thoughtful cultural nod, Dee used konpeito, a traditional Japanese sugar candy as bingo chips, which participants took home as a sweet reminder of their experience. Winners received a pack of Japanese soda, and participants who correctly identified acronyms earned a piece of mochi candy.

“I wanted this to be a light opportunity for connection,” said Dee. “Through laughter, shared learning, and a little bit of sweetness, we created space where families could engage and feel heard.”

Following the game, the group engaged in a Q&A session focused on navigating special education services in Dublin City Schools. The discussion emphasized the importance of family-school partnerships and how educators can better engage linguistically diverse families.

Each participant left with a folder containing Dee’s contact information, and a translated list of common special education acronyms will link to this document on the website, equipping them with tools to better advocate for their children moving forward. One parent even invited Dee and a bilingual aide to her child’s IEP meeting the next morning.

“This session was about building a bridge,” Dee reflected. “We showed that even through language differences, we can support one another and grow together as parents.”

If you’d like to learn more about hosting culturally responsive workshops or need support connecting with multilingual families, contact your district’s Parent Mentor.