Interview with Thailyah Miller

Message from Thaliyah Miller

Thailyah Miller joined Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco in March of 2023 as the Principal Community Associate. As the Principal Community Development Associate, her role entails many facets ranging from outreach to working with the Transitional Age Youth Parent Power program that serves parents aged 18 –25 years old. A 2022 Transitional Age Youth (TAY) - HUB report, City of San Francisco, revealed the disproportionate rate at which TAY exiting care become parents. TAY often has few mentors to guide them through parenthood and the educational system. Gaps in school readiness can have negative impacts on a child’s learning and socio-emotional development.  

It is roles like Millers that help bridge the gap between resources and accessibility. Miller helps empower parents to build strong public schools, information-sharing networks, and resource navigation support that yield positive outcomes for their children.  

During her time with the organization, she has made great strides to serve the public and make a real impact, all while being a full-time student at San Jose University to become a social worker.   

Her days usually start by attending a class on campus and then dutifully rushing back to her dorm to set up for a meeting, whether it be Boardwatch or a team meeting.  

“If I’m attending Boardwatch, it’s my role to reassure them that we are advocating on their behalf,” said Miller. “We are listening and analyzing information so that families can stay up to date and there is no barrier.” 

Not only does Miller have the drive to make change in SFUSD but she is also a former student of SFUSD.  

“My goal is to provide experience as a recent graduate of public schools,” said Miller. “I don’t remember there being as many teacher shortages or as many teachers unhappy as there have been lately.” 

Miller went through high school during the COVID-19 pandemic and knew its lasting impact on public education.  

Her role at Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco is the perfect place to apply real life experience with solution-based change.  

A 2023 PPS-SF organizational needs assessment revealed that TAY parents are absent from the dialogue and action agendas to understand and inform public school policies and practices that impact their children’s educational experiences and outcomes. 

She not only attends Board meetings but also does outreach work and gives one-on-one help to families. Recently, she was part of a large-scale outreach program aimed at contacting parents with children in SFUSD and helping complete their enrollment application.  

“One of the highlights of this job is reaching out to families as a black foster youth,” said Miller. “Being at Parents for Public Schools has allowed me to acknowledge who I am and show my lived experience.”