Schools

Marilyn Dunkley Earns Parental Involvement Recognition Award

She's a mother of six and an active participant in nearly every community organization in the city's North End.

You'd think a woman with seven children who works full-time as a chef would be as busy as a bee. And she is, but that's because she's one of the most active parent in Middletown's North End community.

Marilyn Dunkley of Middletown was honored Wednesday at the State Capitol for receiving the 2013 Parental Involvement Recognition Award presented by the State Education Resource Center, CT Parent Information and Resource Center and the Connecticut Commission on Children. 

Dunkley said winning the award was humbling. "I do things without even thinking about it when it comes to helping, it's just what I do. I watched a video on Youtube that my hubby showed me and it was a bunch of moms saying what they think about their parenting — it was me all the way."

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This mother of two children who attend Macdonough Elementary School is proud of her blended family — three of the children are hers. "I gave birth to three but I am mom to them all!"   

Dunkley also just began working as a chef at the Middletown YMCA preschool program after earning her certification from the Lincoln Culinary Institute. This 2001 graduate of Middletown High School is also a parent member of the newly formed Macdonough School Governance Council and past president of the PTA, former Summer Lunch 4 Kids coordinator and much, much more.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Like every mother in the world, Dunkley is always striving to do right by her kids. "I always think I could be doing something different or better, so then they taped their kids asking them what they thought about their moms and you know what? Not a thing negative! They said things like, 'cooking with my mom, games we play, going to the park, hugs and kisses'! All the thing I do and more!"

She takes her job as a role model very seriously.

"Kids look at us and say, 'my parent is a super mom or dad or grandma' — they are watching us all the time. We as parents need to get in and show them how to be."

Macdonough Principal Jon Romeo said Dunkley easily earned the most votes among parent candidates for the school's governance council.

Parents who received the Parental Involvement Recognition Award are nominated for active involvement in the their children's school or community; support of their local school and contributions to high-quality education for all children; evidence of their ability to make a difference in their local school or community; and dedication and advocacy to ensure equity for all parents and their children. 

Romeo wrote a glowing letter nominating Dunkley for the Parental Involvement Recognition Award.

"Take a moment to imagine the ideal involved parent," he said. "A parent you would be proud to have in your school community. A parent you would want to work with.  A parent you would want to advocate for the children in your neighborhood.  What are the qualities and attributes of this involved parent?"

Romeo describes Dunkley as kind, caring, an exemplary parent, someone who consistently enrolls in parent education courses and attends meetings, a constant volunteer, community activist and leader.

"She is a wonderful representative of Macdonough School, the Middletown community, and involved parents everywhere," Romeo said.

Dunkley says her inspiration comes from her own upbringing. "I am my mother's daughter. My mom visited my and my brothers' school ALL the time and when I had kids, it just seemed natural to be there for my kids!" 

She has advice for other parents who want to get even a little bit more involved in their child's education.

"Being a parent is the hardest job you will ever have but you get what you put into it! Read, talk, play and most importantly, listen."

Other Middletown parents who received awards are: Brian Kaskel, who ran for the city's education board; Paula Mazo and Emily Maxfield.

For the latest on all things Middletown, subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here