José Tejeda came to the United States in 1995, when he was just 19 years old, leaving behind his dreams of pursuing a technical career, a loss that continues to bring him great sorrow. 

“One comes to this country with a mentality of hard work and no play. And yes, you can certainly build a good life with your heart and sweat, but I can’t help wondering how much easier it would have been if I had been better prepared, if I had been able to attend school at least for a few years just to learn the language,” he reflects. “But that’s how it is; some of us have to make those sacrifices for the next generation.” 

Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Tejeda now resides in Modesto, California, with his wife Griselda and their two daughters: 19-year-old Guadalupe, a student at Modesto Junior College, and 17-year-old Arianna, who is still in high school. Despite facing many hardships, Tejeda has remained focused on his goal of providing a better life for his family. And this, he believes, can only be done through hard work and education.  

“We cannot leave it up to our children to make one of the most important decisions of their lives on their own; we have to educate ourselves to better support them, because it really does require a lot of knowledge,” explains Tejeda, who starts his workday as a truck driver at 2 a.m. and still finds time to be actively involved in his daughters’ education. Along with his wife, Tejeda has participated in two PIQE workshops: the Signature Family Engagement program and, more recently, the Family Leadership program.  

Ample research has shown that students whose parents participate in their education perform better academically. [https://bit.ly/4c7xBRo; https://bit.ly/3VvLmlT; https://bit.ly/3z9nop9] These students are more likely attend school regularly, have higher self-esteem, get better grades and are more likely to attend a university. However, this responsibility often falls solely on mothers. Traditionally, fathers were seen as the primary breadwinners. Although this is gradually changing, the number of fathers actively involved in their children’s education remains very low. Random samples taken at PIQE workshops in 2021 showed that only 20% of men engage in their children’s schooling. As we celebrate Father’s Day this June, we want to highlight the importance of fathers’ involvement in their children’s academic journey. 

Fathers report spending less time each day reading to and with their children (0.05 hours on average) and on activities related to their kids’ education, such as helping with homework or school projects (0.05 hours on average). Most of dads’ time with their kids is spent playing or providing care, according to data from the 2021 American Time Use Survey.

Tejeda’s journey of adapting to a new country has deepened his understanding of the importance of education. He first worked in the field, then moved on to jobs in restaurants, packaging, and construction before becoming a truck driver. He admits that most times he has taken on various jobs to improve his financial situation and provide for his family, but they weren’t jobs he particularly enjoyed. 

“I don’t want that for my daughters. I want them to have a job in the field of their choice, a job that they feel passionate about. I want them to have a better future, an easier life too,” he says. Tejeda shared that one of his daughters considered leaving school to get a job due to financial pressures, but he did not allow it. He is convinced that the best thing they can do is to continue with their education. 

When it comes to other aspirations for their children’s future, the vast majority of dads say that it’s extremely or very important to them that their children become financially independent as adults (87%) and have jobs or careers that they enjoy (86%), according to the Pew Research Center. Also, 41% say it’s extremely or very important to them that their children earn a college degree (41%). 

“I have learned many things from these workshops,” Tejeda says. “Thanks to PIQE, I can now guide my daughters. Sometimes, you don’t want to get involved because you have so much on your plate already, and you think that by encouraging them to go to school you are doing enough; but that is a big mistake. If you want your child to have a good job and reach their dreams, you need to be involved in their education.”