Daily Inspiration: Meet Persephone Starks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Persephone Starks.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I serve as the State Manager for Texas Parents as Teachers. I oversee the statewide coordination and implementation of Texas Parents as Teachers programs. I support an incredible team of implementation support specialists—Lauren O’Rourke, Kimberly Claude, and Elizabeth DeLeon—who work directly with programs to ensure model fidelity and provide ongoing technical assistance.

My role also includes cultivating partnerships with agencies, funders, and community organizations. As part of the Expansion Team at Parents as Teachers National Center, I ensure Texas programs have a strong voice in conversations
about growth and strategy, helping expand the footprint of Parents as Teachers across the state.

I first learned about Parents as Teachers more than 20 years ago while working in the Child Guidance Department at a state agency. Over time, my understanding and love for the Parents as Teachers model grew. I believe that childhood should be a time filled with love, significant attachments, robust experiences of wonder, and ongoing, intentional connections with parents and special people who are meaningfully involved. I have observed firsthand the meaningful and lasting impact that Parents as Teachers has on parent–child relationships, child development, and overall family well-being.

After years of witnessing the model’s impact on families, I was drawn to the Parents as Teachers evidence-based approach and the commitment to empowering parents as their child’s first and most important teacher. Joining Parents as Teachers National Center three years ago felt like a natural next step in my desire to support families and strengthen communities.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, the journey has been smooth thanks to our team’s strong collaboration, dedication, and consistent support. We intentionally celebrate successes across all areas, which helps maintain a positive and motivating environment. By keeping a strength-based focus, we can acknowledge what is working well while identifying opportunities for continued growth and development. This approach has allowed us to address challenges proactively and move forward together with shared purpose.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m excited to share developments across our Texas Parents as Teachers network! The Parents as Teachers State Office currently oversees the implementation of 34 program affiliates across the state. Our programs are making a measurable impact on families through consistent home visits, individualized personal visits, developmental screenings, and strong community partnerships. As a result, our programs are increasing school readiness, strengthening positive parent–child interactions, and connecting families to critical local resources. Families served by our programs report greater confidence in supporting their children’s learning and development, which demonstrates the powerful, lasting difference Parents as Teachers is making in our communities.

The state office supports our program in a variety of ways, including our established Advocacy Go Team, which strengthens our collective voice and elevates home visiting both in our state and nationally. We have a state training team that partners with our state office staff to provide rich professional development opportunities to our network annually. We also have a growing social media presence, which has helped us share stories, celebrate our programs, and stay connected across the state.

Supporting pathways that help families thrive is what makes this work meaningful to me. What I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built along the way. I’ve learned that trust and collaboration are what make programs sustainable, and that’s how real progress happens for families.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
For me, the most rewarding part of this work is seeing the impact the model has on families through every layer of the relationships built and reinforced to support success. I am continually inspired by the dedication of our Texas parent educators and program supervisors who serve families with such compassion, professionalism, and heart. I am equally rewarded by working alongside a team that carries out their work to support our state network of providers in a way that is woven into who they are personally. Knowing that I can play even a small role in creating the conditions that help these professionals succeed and seeing the positive outcomes for Texas families that follow, motivates me every day.

Some advice for those just starting out: listening deeply and staying curious make a huge difference in this work. Just as important is pacing yourself. This work takes time and caring for yourself in addition to caring for others. It is what strengthens the ability to continue supporting families and communities in meaningful ways.

Pricing:

• Parents as Teachers services are at no cost to families. To connect with a program, visit https://www.txpat.org/texas-affiliates-1 or email: texasparentsasteachers@parentsasteachers.org or call: 314-866-8541.
• If you are interested in launching a Parents as Teachers program in your area, please email: texasparentsasteachers@parentsasteachers.org or call: 314-866-8541 for a conversation about start-up costs.

Contact Info:

• • Website: https://www.txpat.org/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texasparentsasteachers/
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasparentsasteachers
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-parents-as-teachers/