Summary: As the President and CEO of the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), David Valladolid carries forward the legacy of Rev. Vahac Mardirosian and Dr. Alberto Ochoa, two gentleman who confounded the education community when they founded PIQE in San Diego, California 22 years ago. Since its inception, PIQE has inspired and taught more than 375,000 underserved and often non-English speaking people to make a difference with their children’s education by teaching a simple idea: Your child’s success is in your hands. Here is how to make it happen. Today, in his role as President, David continues the work of PIQE’s founders. The program has expanded beyond San Diego, now flourishing nationally, and offering the rest of us insights into an organization built on solid principles, rather than just the personalities of two men. Hype often stems from personality-driven programs in which one figurehead is the driving force of the institution. But PIQE was built on principles that could be learned, lived, and passed on to others. I note this point because in the more than 25 years I have been consulting with people, organizations, communities, businesses, and groups to make a difference and assure their future, one action stands out. Current leadership is always looking around for others who can be brought into the organization and trained to be future leaders. It was this leadership development aspect of the work of the Parent Institute for Quality Education that captured my interest in supporting their work. Deeply embedded in the heart of every training class is the intent to prepare parents to be education leaders and advocates for their children throughout their entire lives. While many of the parents who first participated in the PIQE program were not proficient in English and may not have had many years of formal education, they had a desire and they had leaders who planned a program around what those parents needed to learn about the education system. The parents didn’t know, after all, what they were missing. Take a moment to read more about PIQE on its website, look at their video presentation highlighted below in our Media Links, and listen to today’s lively, exciting and deeply motivational conversation with David Valladolid. For us at Birth2Work, his message is a perfect echo of our view that no matter what stakeholder role you have, you can see what needs to be done and respond. Rev. Mardirosian didn’t start out to be an education visionary. He was a successful pastor. But the need that so many members of his church called out for was a strong voice that could help them help their own children do better in an education system they knew little about. Rev. Mardirosian spoke up and helped build a powerful set of tools for local schools, communities and families who were just starting out in a new education system, to help guide their children’s education for a life time. David Valladolid continues that work today with wisdom and passion for the future of PIQE throughout the United States. Come and browse our website. Meet other stakeholder leaders like David Valladolid and Rev. Vahac Mardirosian on the radio and be inspired. Every day people are making a difference. Join us! -Elane V. Scott www.Birth2Work.org
