By Mike Hernandez, Vice Mayor, City of Pembroke Pines
As a city leader, a parent, and someone who works closely with our public and charter schools, I’ll let you in on a truth we don’t say enough:
We want to hear from parents.
But how you show up matters.
Every week, someone reaches out to me about a school-related issue: class sizes, curriculum, drop-off logistics, phones in classrooms, principal transitions. I’ve been called, emailed, tagged, petitioned, yelled at, looped into group chats, and stopped in grocery stores. And I get it; when it’s your kid, it’s personal.
But passion without direction doesn’t lead to change. It leads to frustration.
So, if you’re a parent who genuinely wants to make a difference, here’s what I can tell you from inside the system:
1. Know the Process Before You Bypass It.
You don’t need to go straight to the top.
In fact, you probably shouldn’t.
We see it all the time: a parent skips the teacher, the assistant principal, the counselor and heads straight for the school board or the city commission. That might feel powerful in the moment. But in practice, it’s usually ineffective.
Start with the person closest to the issue. That’s where real communication—and often real solutions—happen. If it doesn’t get resolved, escalate thoughtfully. But don’t skip the line and expect partnership.
2. Show Up as a Collaborator, Not a Combatant.
There’s a difference between being a strong advocate and being adversarial.
If you reach out to a decision-maker with accusations, hostility, or assumptions, you’re putting them on defense from the first sentence. That doesn’t move anything forward.
Instead, ask questions. Seek context. Start with, “Here’s what I’m seeing; can you help me understand what’s happening?” It opens a door instead of slamming one.
3. Get Involved Consistently, Not Just When You’re Mad.
If the first time we hear from you is when you’re upset, that’s already a missed opportunity.
Join the PTA. Attend the advisory meetings. Volunteer for the events no one wants to sign up for. You’ll gain context, access, and credibility. You’ll also build relationships—so that when you do have something to raise, it’s coming from someone we already know is invested.
4. Speak for More Than One.
When one parent is upset, we take it seriously.
But when dozens are saying the same thing in a focused, respectful way? That’s hard to ignore.
Rally your community thoughtfully. Identify the real issue. Come with suggestions, not just complaints. That’s how you turn frustration into forward motion.
5. Remember Why You’re Showing Up.
At the end of the day, we’re all here for the same reason: the kids. Your kid. My kid. Our kids.
Let that guide your tone, your timing, and your approach.
We don’t need to burn down the system to make change.
We just need more people who are willing to do the work—together.
About the Author
Michael “Mike” Hernández serves as Vice Mayor for the City of Pembroke Pines District 4. He is committed to providing excellent constituent service for its 47,000 residents and enhancing communication and outreach between the city and all its residents.
Vice Mayor Hernández has over 20 years of experience in the fields of Communication and Public Affairs. He has spent parts of his career working as a senior executive in government and as a c-suite consultant in the private and non-profit sectors. For four years, Hernández was the Director of Communications for Miami-Dade County government and Senior Advisor to its mayor. In that role, Hernandez led communication efforts for Miami International Airport and Port Miami, as well as the water & sewer and emergency management departments. He was the mayor’s only official spokesperson and chief communications officer for the 25-department government and managed crises such as the impact of Hurricane Irma and the outbreak of the Zika virus. From 2019-2024, he appeared on NBC 6 and Telemundo 51 as the political analyst for both stations, providing commentary and information on the political process in Washington, D.C., Tallahassee, and South Florida for viewers in English and Spanish. Earlier in his career, Hernández worked as a consultant to heads of state, presidential and congressional candidates, political parties and organizations in the United States and 10 other countries throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East while a Senior Director at Washington, D.C. based Penn Schoen Berland, a global research consultancy.
A 15-year resident of Pembroke Pines, Hernández is married to the former Christine Cento. They have two children who attend local public schools. Originally from Miami and born to Cuban-American parents, Hernández is a proud graduate of Florida International University (FIU) where he earned two degrees — a Master’s in Public Administration and Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He has served as the president of the university’s 300,000-member alumni association and is currently an adjunct professor for the School of International & Public Affairs and College of Communication. Hernández also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the economic development nonprofit organization Prospera in Orlando.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-hern%C3%A1ndez-9511195/
https://www.ppines.com/161/Vice-Mayor-Michael-Hernandez
